The general director of Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), Dušan Živković, stated in an interview with NIN weekly that the company’s position is to maintain the same electricity prices for 2025. He also mentioned that there is a proposal to lower the threshold for the red tariff.
Živković emphasized that, despite numerous challenges posed by the market due to complex geopolitical circumstances, EPS has managed to maintain price levels for households. He also highlighted that commercial customers have been given more options, flexibility, and security in light of drastic price changes on the market. According to Živković, EPS has closed the second consecutive year with positive financial results, with preliminary data showing a profit of 26.1 billion dinars, which is 11% higher than planned.
When asked about claims that EPS had borrowed 150 million euros for liquidity, Živković clarified that EPS has a stable financial situation, which can easily be verified, and that “superficial and inaccurate claims” had been debunked with facts in recent months.
He stressed that EPS has more support than ever from the state, the president, the government, and the relevant ministry, as they all share the common goal of making the company the largest energy leader in the region in every sense.
Regarding loans, Živković noted that during the decarbonization process, a new challenge emerged: financing projects in the mining and thermal sectors. Since coal is a base energy source, significant investments are needed to increase production and modernize thermal units, and these projects are now being financed from EPS’s own funds.
“It is also important to break some of the common misconceptions in the public, as EPS is not in any way over-indebted, and on the other hand, we are dedicated to ensuring the most favorable electricity prices for citizens and businesses,” Živković stated.
In response to questions about whether EPS exported electricity for 70 million euros in the first half of the previous year when prices were lower, while spending 45 million euros on imports in July, Živković explained that the year-end results show how the company performed, with investments from its own funds exceeding 48 billion dinars. He said this was the best answer to any insinuations that the company had mismanaged processes.
“It is absolutely incorrect to say that EPS only trades on the domestic market. We trade on all regional exchanges, as well as through bilateral agreements, and this is an activity that expects a significantly larger presence on the exchanges and an increasing energy and financial turnover,” Živković added.
Discussing the current situation in society, Živković confirmed that there is “no talk of a strike,” as confirmed by EPS union representatives. He emphasized that there is no place for politics in a company that provides energy security to the entire society. “Unfortunately, among the more than 20,000 employees, there are a few irresponsible individuals who act like political activists and, by gaining media attention, send a distorted picture of reality,” Živković said.
He also noted that EPS workers have always been dedicated to the company, even during the most difficult times in history, such as during the bombing, and they continue to perform their duties responsibly and diligently.
