Photo: Balkan Green Energy News
Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) is prepared to connect an estimated 12 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity to the transmission grid over the next six years, Jelena Matejić, general manager of Serbia’s transmission system operator, said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2026.
Belgrade Energy Forum 2026 (BEF 2026), a two-day event organized by Southeast Europe’s leading energy news portal, Balkan Green Energy News, has brought together about 500 participants.
Speaking at a panel on transmission grid development, Jelena Matejić, General Manager of Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), noted that Serbia’s power transmission system has eight interconnection borders and as many as 20 interconnection transmission lines, giving the country an important role in regional energy integration.
“This allows us incredible flexibility and potential for further development and integration, both market integration and in terms of the interconnection of transmission systems across this part of Europe,” said Jelena Matejić.
EMS’s strategic plans cover the implementation of four pan-European projects
EMS has invested EUR 620 million over the past 10 years alone, mainly in the transmission system, but also in the development of digital and innovative technologies for grid management and maintenance, Matejić stated.
“In the past three years, the investment momentum has been such that it accounts for more than 45% of the total investment in the 10-year cycle. Last year, we recorded a remarkable, historic figure of EUR 135 million in realized investments, achieving 95% of the plan,” she said.
By 2028, an additional EUR 740 million in investments is planned, while total investments by 2030 are expected to reach EUR 1 billion, according to her.
Speaking about the green transition, she said that EMS’ strategic plans involve the implementation of four pan-European projects, the largest part of which is expected to be completed by 2030.
The Pannonian Corridor toward Hungary is being developed
The first and most significant of these projects is the Trans-Balkan Corridor, said Matejić, adding that EMS is currently building its third section, with plans to bring the fourth section online in 2029.
The second project is BeoGrid, which is currently in the implementation phase and is targeted for completion by 2029. At the same time, the construction of a substation in Ugrinovci is in full progress, she said, adding that work is also underway to strengthen the interconnection with Romania.
“All this rounds off the integration of renewable energy sources from southern Banat,” she said.
The third important project is the Pannonian Corridor toward Hungary, which is being implemented in a EUR 105 million investment.
By 2030, interconnection capacity is expected to increase by 50%
Work is also underway on the Central Balkan Corridor – the interconnection toward Bulgaria and the connection with Bajina Bašta – which includes the construction of two new substations.
“We also have interconnections with Croatia and many other projects, but it is important to emphasize that by 2030, with the implementation of the largest part of these projects, our interconnection capacity will increase by 50%, which means an impressive 6,000 megawatts of installed capacity,” she said, adding that this is important for energy security, capacity expansion, and regional integration.
She added that the national dispatching center was fully reconstructed last year, and that the transmission system has been modernized and digitalized, including the use of smart meters, remote control, and digital substations.
“Without such investments in grid modernization and digitalization, we wouldn’t be able to be prepared for nearly 12 gigawatts of new renewable energy that will be connected to the transmission system over the next six years, most of which in the next four years,” Matejić concluded.
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