Serbia to invest EUR 900 million to lower environmental impact of coal power plants – minister

Serbia intends to invest EUR 900 million in the coming years to improve environmental protection in the production of electricity from coal, said energy and mining minister Aleksandar Antić.

According to him, in the previous period about EUR 400 million was invested in various environmental projects in coal-fired power plants.

About EUR 400 million has been invested in thermal power plants so far

The issue of particulate matter (PM) pollution has been resolved, and the issue of desulphurization of flue gases is also being resolved, and the two are key challenges in the sector, Antić said during the Green Economy of the Region conference, organized by Adria Media Group.

He said the fact that two thirds of electricity in the country is generated from coal implies several priorities. It is especially important to make production more environmentally friendly and increase the share of renewable energy sources, the minister stressed.

The minister said increasing the number of renewable energy projects is the second priority

The second priority is to increase the number of renewable energy projects, the minister said, adding renewable energy power plants with an installed capacity of 550 MW were put into operation in the last few years.

He also said the ministry is preparing a regulatory framework for new renewable energy projects.

Three weeks ago the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced it is looking for a consultant to introduce renewable energy auctions in Serbia.