Electricity

EPS piloting mixing biomass with coal in its thermal power plants

eps e3 international energy crops EPS to burn biomass in coal power plants

Daniel Berg, Milorad Grčić i Bonnie Norman (photo: EPS)

Published

September 17, 2021

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

September 17, 2021

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

State-controlled power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has launched a pilot project with US company E3 International for the use of biomass from energy crops, primarily fast-growing willows, for the production of electricity in coal-fired power plants.

Milorad Grčić, acting director of Elektroprivreda Srbije, Bonnie Norman, President of E3 International, and representatives of the Government of Serbia, embassies and international institutions visited the fast-growing willows planted on the edge of the field G of the open-pit mines in mining basin Kolubara. It is a pilot phase of the SLLES project (Sustainable Land, Livelihoods and Energy Initiative Serbia) in EPS, the company said.

Domestic white willow and Scandinavian inger willow were planted on 3.17 hectares. These trees could give up to 112 tons of biomass per hectare.

The project secures the reclamation of unused and degraded land, and the production of energy from biomass

Bonnie Norman said there are 1.6 million hectares of unused and degraded land in Serbia, including mines and landfills. The project will secure its reclamation, and the production of energy from biomass, but it can also create new jobs and enable an easier energy transition, she added.

The willows, planted near an open-pit mine, can be cut 12 times within 25 years in order to be used in thermal power plants together with lignite for electricity production, said Norman.

Joint use of coal and biomass in power plants will provide for cleaner air

According to her, coal and biomass burned together will secure cleaner air. She claims it is a profitable investment that would show results within five years.

Norman has announced the reclamation of new hectares around the Kolubara open-pit mines in the autumn.

eps e3 international energy crops EPS to burn biomass
Location on the edge of the mine where willows are planted (photo: SLLES)

Milorad Grčić, acting director of EPS, said green energy production and environmental protection are high on the company’s agenda.

The main priority of EPS is the production of electricity, followed by green energy production, and the increase of its share, and environmental protection, said Grčić, adding that EPS has so far invested EUR 540 million in environmental projects.

Daniel Berg, advisor at E3 International and former EBRD director in Serbia, thanked the director of EPS for his support and excellent cooperation.

Wood biomass from 75,000 ha of SRPs can substitute 10% of Serbia’s coal-based energy

According to the SLLES project website, bioeconomy solutions will play a critical role in Serbia’s energy transition based on three elements including short rotation coppices or plantations (SRPs) of fast-growing tree (e.g. willow) and reed (Arundo) species for the production of woody biomass and biogas, respectively, for heat and power.

The solutions are currently being piloted on four sites in Vojvodina Province: a landfill, municipal degraded agricultural land, private land, and next to a coal mine.

It is estimated that wood biomass from 75,000 ha of SRPs can substitute 10% of Serbia’s coal-based energy through co-firing in coal-powered plants.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Romania completes second round renewable energy auctions third wind quota unallocated

Romania completes second round of renewable energy auctions – third of wind quota unallocated

13 August 2025 - Romania completed its second round of renewable energy auctions. More than one third of the wind power quota wasn't allocated and prices rose.

DRI secures financing for Vacaresti solar park in Romania

13 August 2025 - DRI obtained non-recourse loans of up to EUR 60 million to finance its Vacaresti solar park in Romania

bih coal mines epbih sanel buljubasic

Worrying results of coal, overburden production in BiH’s power utility

13 August 2025 - Increasing coal production is the only way to stabilize the energy system in the Federation of BiH, EPBiH CEO Sanel Buljubašić said

slovenia hess hpp brezice solar power plant febr-d koncar

Slovenia’s HESS inks 9.2 MW deal for two solar power plants near HPP Brežice

13 August 2025 - Hydropower plant operator Hidroelektrarne na Spodnji Savi will install two PV plants near its Brežice hydropower plant