The inefficiencies within Serbia’s energy system are starkly highlighted by the country’s electricity import data for July. According to information on the Elektromreža Srbije website, Serbia imported nearly 12.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity throughout the month. Nova.rs calculates that this cost at least €877,900, though with fluctuating exchange prices, the actual expenditure could have exceeded €1 million.
July saw record-breaking electricity consumption. On July 15, Serbia set a new daily record, consuming 10% more electricity compared to previous summer seasons, and this was one of the highest import days of the month.
To break it down:
- On July 1, Serbia imported 697 megawatt-hours (MWh) for at least €51,000.
- On July 5, imports resumed after a brief hiatus, continuing for 21 days throughout the month.
- The consumption peaks occurred on July 15, with 1,011 MWh imported costing at least €68,727; July 17, with 1,131 MWh costing at least €96,248; and July 18, with 1,332 MWh costing at least €39,986.
In total, Serbia imported exactly 12,837 MWh in July, costing at least €877,900. This figure is derived from the lowest daily exchange prices, but actual costs are likely higher due to price fluctuations.
For instance, on July 23, 593 MWh was imported at a cost of at least €62,259, with hourly prices ranging from €104.09 to €250.58. Similarly, on July 12, 557 MWh was imported costing at least €50,687, with prices fluctuating between €91 and €409.98.
Miodrag Kapor, an energy policy expert, attributes the high consumption to summer temperatures, which strain the system. July 21 recorded the highest temperature in history at 17.09°C, and on July 18, the temperature hit 37°C, coinciding with the highest import levels.
Kapor also notes that maintenance work on Serbian mines in July contributed to the need for imports. He emphasizes that the significant expenditure on imported electricity underscores the inadequacies in Serbia’s electrical transmission network.
Interestingly, this summer’s electricity consumption is nearly on par with last winter’s levels. On the hottest day in June, daily consumption reached 100 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), matching January’s figures, though historically, winter consumption is 70% higher than summer’s.
Dušan Nikezić, economist and MP, pointed out that Serbia imports more than a quarter of its total electricity consumption at some of Europe’s highest prices. He has questioned EPS about the electricity purchased from abroad in recent months.
