Energy crisis triggers new coal projects in Republic of Srpska, Serbia

The ongoing energy crisis and Europe’s efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian gas have resulted in a revival of electricity generation from coal, slowing down the decarbonization process. In the Balkan region, the situation is similar, with two large scale coal projects announced in the Republic of Srpska and Serbia.

In the Republic of Srpska, Czech company Witkowitz is interested in building a 350 MW unit at coal-fired power plant Gacko, and its modernization, in an investment valued at EUR 521 million.

Further steps will be taken following the signature of a memorandum of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Srpska and the Czech company. The plan was announced by the government following a meeting with Witkowitz representatives, according to local media.

The EUR 521 million project was announced by the Republic of Srpska’s government

A few years ago, Petar Đokić, the minister of mining and energy of the Republic of Srpska, said that the entity’s government was planning the construction of a second unit at Gacko, in cooperation with Chinese partners.

Pre nekoliko godina, Petar Đokić, ministar energetike i rudarstva Republike Srpske, izjavio je da se planira izgradnja drugog bloka u termoelektrani Gacko, kao i da se na tom projektu sarađuje sa partnerima iz Kine.

Serbia’s underwater lignite mine in Kovin could be expanded

At the same time, there are plans in Serbia to expand an underwater coal mine in Kovin on the Danube river.

The new mine would produce 3 million tons of lignite a year

A Belgrade-based firm Energetski Kompleks has applied for an environmental impact assessment for the proposed mine, whose annual capacity would be over 3 million tons of lignite. The mine’s lifespan would be 42 years.