Republika Srpska’s electricity balance for 2019-2021 projects annual surpluses of over 1,500 GWh

The Republika Srpska government has passed a decision on the adoption of state power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske’s (ERS) electricity balance for 2019 and a decision on the adoption of ERS’ electricity balance for 2019-2021, projecting significant balance surpluses in the observed period, according to a statement issued following a government session on Monday, November 12.

Republika Srpska’s electricity balance is based on technical norms and determined technical criteria for electricity production and consumption planning and the power system’s stable operation. The key elements to impact the realization of the electricity balance in the observed period include the availability of power generation facilities, operational readiness, the situation on the electricity market and hydrological circumstances, the statement reads.

Under the decisions, the overall electricity generation in the 2019-2019 period is planned to reach 5,410.47 GWh in 2019, 5,460.11 GWh in 2020, and 5,452.32 GWh in 2021.

The differences in projected annual production volumes stem from thermal power plants’ uneven planned availability levels, due to the duration of overhauls, as well as from the Trebinje 1 hydropower plant (HPP) generator revitalization, according to the statement.

The PK Gacko and PK Bogutovo Selo mines are planned to produce 4,086,813 tonnes of coal in 2019, 4,298,017 tonnes in 2020, and 4,298,017 tonnes in 2021, for the Gacko and Ugljevik thermal power plants and consumers.

The overall planned electricity consumption in the 2019-2021 period stands at 3,729.05 GWh in 2019, 3,764.31 GWh in 2020, and 3,800.15 GWh in 2021.

In the observed period, Republika Srpska is projected to have significant electricity surpluses, of 1,541.35 GWh in 2019, 1,553.07 GWh in 2020, and 1,505.78 GWh in 2021, the entity’s government said.

In the first half of 2018, sold 1,687.7 GWh of electricity worth around EUR 66 million on the market and posted a EUR 28.6 million profit, according to earlier reports.