Serbia began the public consultation process for the upcoming changes to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources. It intends to align it with the European Union’s legislation and the domestic reform agenda. The changes would simplify permitting and cover guarantees of origin, prosumers and renewable energy communities, heating and cooling, renewable gases and the designation of renewable acceleration areas.
The Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia requested written proposals and suggestions from the public wishing to participate in drafting amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources. Interested parties can write until July 7 to oie@mre.gov.rs.
According to the update, sustainable development is one of the main principles, taking into account economic, energy, environmental and social effects. The development of renewable energy sources should contribute to emission reductions, greater security of supply, environmental protection and a just energy transition, the ministry added.
It aims to align the legislation fully with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive RED2 (2018/2001), and partly with RED3 (2023/2413). Other references are the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan and Serbia’s obligations under the so-called reform agenda. The latter concerns the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility, for opening the way for funding from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Changes involve framework for renewables acceleration areas
Intended changes would entail spatial and energy mapping, including the possibility of the establishment of so-called renewables acceleration areas (RAAs) or renewables go-to areas, through planning documents, while observing all environmental protection rules. One of the motives is to use land more rationally.
Contact points would guide applicants through permitting
The ministry said it wants to improve the areas of guarantees of origin, prosumers and renewable energy communities, and enable more renewables in heating and cooling.
The law would facilitate setting up contact points to guide applicants through the permitting procedure. Deadlines for permitting need to be streamlined, the announcement adds.
“An improvement is expected in the incentive system for electricity generation from renewable sources, particularly by strengthening the principles of transparency, competitiveness, non-discrimination, cost-effectiveness and the integration of renewable sources into the electricity market. The auction system is seen aligned with the stability needs of the power system, system integration costs and market price signals,” the ministry said.
Guarantees of origin system spreading to renewable gases, heating, cooling
Guarantees of origin would be issued for electricity, renewable gases including biomethane and hydrogen, and for the energy for heating and cooling, like waste heat and cold.
Amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources will improve the position of prosumers. Of note, in Serbia they are formally called buyers-producers including their right to generate electricity for self-consumption, store their own generated electricity, use surpluses under the net billing scheme, or sell them on the market in accordance with the law, the ministry pointed out. The act would regulate conditions for jointly acting prosumers in the same building, as well as the role of third parties in the ownership, management, installation and maintenance of production facilities and storage devices.
The plan is to upgrade the framework for renewable energy communities, for instance in the participation of households, local authorities and other entities.
