Serbia’s EPS starts trial operation of desulfurization system in TENT B coal plant

Power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije has started the trial operation of a desulfurization facility at the Nikola Tesla B coal power plant.

Dušan Živković, CEO of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), pointed out that the investment is estimated at EUR 250 million.

The desulfurization facility at thermal power plant Nikola Tesla B (TENT B) was successfully completed with Japanese partners and domestic companies, he added.

Živković: We have extended the lifespan of one of the most important power plants in our portfolio

“The plant is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from renowned manufacturers. The technology utilizes a wet desulfurization method that uses lime. The by-product of the process is gypsum, of EU quality,” he pointed out.

The expected annual production of gypsum is about 200,000 tons. It strengthens the capacity of EPS in the circular economy, in his view.

“It is particularly important for us that we extended the lifespan and energy efficiency of one of the most important power plants in our portfolio,” Živković stressed.

Đedović Handanović: The largest environmental project in this part of Europe

The kick-off of trial operation was attended by Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov, Atsushi Saito, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Japan, representatives of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the contractors.

Ljiljana Velimirović, TENT B desulfurization project manager, described the works on the new system to the officials. She is the recipient of the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award for 2025, presented by WISE Serbia Women’s Network.

“I am proud that the largest environmental project in this part of Europe has been completed and that now our largest thermal capacities meet all environmental standards, not only domestic, but also European,” Đedović Handanović said.

She noted that similar facilities are already successfully operating in Kostolac B and TENT A. Now sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions will be drastically reduced by as much as 30 times in TENT B, she added.

“The most important thing is that we are improving air quality”

In addition, emissions of particulate matter (PM) are below the set limits, according to the minister. In Obrenovac, more than EUR 420 million was invested in the construction of the desulfurization systems in TENT A and TENT B.

“We once again confirmed our determination to modernize the Serbian energy industry, but also to harmonize it with the highest standards of environmental protection. However, the most important thing is the improvement of the air quality, not only in Obrenovac, but also in Belgrade and its surroundings,” Đedović Handanović underscored.

The successfully completed work was marked by smashing a sake barrel

According to Sara Pavkov, Minister of Environmental Protection, the investment demonstrates once again that concrete results in environmental protection can be achieved through the responsible application of modern technologies.

“Together we are setting high standards for the energy system, because our citizens deserve an efficient, reliable energy system, in line with all environmental standards,” she said.

Ministers, representatives of EPS, the Embassy of Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and contractors, marked the successfully completed work with a smashing of a sake barrel, in line with Japanese tradition, EPS said.