The expansion of the “Banatski dvor” gas storage facility has begun with the drilling of the first necessary wells in the fields. This significant project, to be jointly implemented by “Srbijagas” and “Gazprom,” is valued at 145 million euros, and its gas storage capacity will be doubled. Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the Minister of Mining and Energy in the technical mandate, emphasized that this expansion will enhance the energy security of Serbia.
Gazprom has stated that Europe will face difficulties in preparing for the next winter season, adding that it will struggle to fill all underground gas storage facilities. This is supported by the fact that gas reserves in Ukrainian underground storage facilities have reached an absolute minimum. However, experts note that the situation in Serbia is better than in neighboring countries. Serbia receives Russian gas via the Balkan Stream, which satisfies 90% of its gas needs, with the remainder sourced from alternative suppliers, said Jelica Putniković, editor of the “Energija Balkana” portal, in an interview for RTS.
Experts also pointed out that future challenges include intensifying the expansion of the gas network to households and the upcoming gas agreement with Russia, which, as previously announced, needs to be finalized by the end of May.
