Šabac aspires to introduce biomass for heating

The use of biomass and the experience of the Austrian town of Güssing were presented in the Center for Professional Development in Šabac. Christian Doczekal (pictured) has spoken about Güssing as an example of successful local community and about models of using of biomass which can be applied in the Serbian city. Slobodan Jerotić, energy manager of the Šabac, presented the local strategy on using biomass and basic information about available quantities in the area in the country’s west, the municipal website said.

Addressing the audience, mayor Nebojša Zelenović pointed out that the city is a partner in project Horizon 2020 financed by the European Union. The endeavour is focused on the utilization of biomass for heating and cooling. The project started in January and it will last 36 months. Šabac will use the experience of developed countries and cities in Austria, Germany and Denmark with available biomass as serious energy resource in the development of business activity and growth in living standards of local people.

“Our plan for Šabac is to provide the cheapest heating in Serbia and to build a biomass heating plant that will use only residues from the fields of our farmers. That means also a profit for our farmers. In that manner we will make our heating system economically and energy independent from all others, and the money will remain here. My policy and the policy of my team is for our citizens to earn more as the village will heat the city,” Zelenović said.

He added the production of project documentation will start mid-year, and that the construction of the biomass heating plant will probably start next year.

The city administration will give logistic support in education, transfer of knowledge, application of modern technology, as well as access to financial instruments provided for this type of projects, officials said, adding biomass supply logistics and the development of energy services market will generate the need for employment. Lower energy price will reduce the cost of private sector operation and increase competitiveness of the economy, Jerotić says.

Doczekal said the district heating system can be more flexible with biomass, reducing bills. Besides that, in his words, a high degree of energy independence and security of supply will be provided.