Veliki Crljeni, a village near Lazarevac, has long suffered from pollution caused by the nearby Kolubara A thermal power plant, owned by the Electric Power Company of Serbia (EPS). Despite promises, the plant—Serbia’s oldest coal-fired power station—has not been closed, and the local population continues to endure severe environmental and health consequences.
After devastating floods in 2014, EPS urgently expanded mining operations near the village without adequately relocating residents, exposing them to risks such as sinking homes, contaminated water, and dangerously polluted air. Soil and air analyses reveal excessive levels of harmful substances like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and sulfur dioxide. Veliki Crljeni is among the most polluted areas in Serbia, with increased cases of cancer, heart disease, and chronic illnesses reported by locals.
Residents, frustrated by inaction from EPS and government authorities, filed a lawsuit against EPS in 2021 for environmental destruction and health damages. The case is ongoing, with expert testimonies confirming significant harm and demanding closure of the plant or installation of modern pollution-control technologies.
Environmental activists stress that while closing coal plants aligns with international climate commitments, Serbia’s energy system currently relies on thermal power for stability. Experts argue that large-scale renewable energy infrastructure and storage must be developed first to enable a sustainable transition away from coal.
