EPS to invest EUR 4.6 billion by 2027, EUR 700 million to go into hydropower, renewables

Public power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) intends to invest EUR 4.6 billion from 2019 to 2027, of which EUR 1.6 billion in the modernization of existing and construction of new thermal power plants (TPPs) as well as environmental protection, EUR 1,3 billion in distribution projects, EUR 1 billion in the coal sector, and EUR 700 million in the modernization of hydropower plants (HPPs) and the development of wind farms and solar power plants.

At the 4th edition of the conference “Investments and Environmental Protection – EPS’ Priority,” Aleksandar Jakovljević, head of strategy at EPS, said that based on development plans until 2027, the company will invest around EUR 4.6 billion in all business activities.

According to Jakovljević, EPS’ activities are focused on ensuring the security of supply, meeting environmental requirements, replacing, reconstructing and modernizing existing equipment and facilities, achieving economic and financial sustainability, as well as further developing and investing in new facilities.

Investment allocation:

• TPPs – EUR 1.6 billion – revitalization, environmental protection, and new projects
• Distribution projects – EUR 1.3 billion – new equipment, Metering, SAP, Billing (CIS/CRM)
• Coal sector – EUR 1 billion – the opening and closing of mines, expropriation, remediation in Kolubara and Kostolac coal basins
• HPPs and renewables – EUR 700 million – the revitalization of HPPs, a new unit at HPP Potpeć, new SHPPs, a solar park, and a wind farm in Kostolac.

A total of EUR 1.6 billion is earmarked for the modernization of TPPs, the construction of the TPP Kostolac B3, and environmental protection by 2017. In his presentation, Jakovljevic said that EUR 1 billion would be invested in environmental protection by 2032.

Investment allocation:

• Air protection – EUR 718.4 million – desulphurization, deNOx and other measures for particulate matter in TPPs
• Land protection – EUR 156,9 million – the modernization of ash deposits and ash and slag transportation and disposal systems at TPPs
• Waste management – EUR 107,2 million – the elimination of asbestos, temporary storage of waste in HPPs, TPPs and distribution companies
• Water protection – EUR 40,6 million – wastewater treatment plants and water monitoring at TPPs and mines.

In the field of environmental protection, EPS has identified 50 projects that must be implemented by 2032 in order for the company’s plants to comply with the regulations established by Serbian legislation, the Energy Community Treaty, and the EU.

Jakovljević noted that it was only after the end of the crisis period in Serbia that the company was able to address the EU environmental standards. He said that EPS entered the process much later than EU companies, but that results are visible.

Particulate matter emissions have been reduced from about 66,000 tons in 2003 to 8,500 tons in 2018, Jakovljević said at the conference, organized by Balkanmagazin in cooperation with EPS and the Ministry of Mining and Energy.