The Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlovic, stated that Serbia and China can successfully cooperate in the field of energy, especially in the field of green energy, and invited Chinese companies to participate in the realization of large investment projects in the electric power industry.
“I believe that there is a huge space for our two countries for cooperation in the field of energy, especially if we know that the green agenda provides almost unlimited opportunities for investments, jobs, technological development, and environmental improvement. I invite you to continue the successful cooperation between our two countries and Chinese and Serbian companies in the field of green energy, to exchange experiences and to be partners in green energy transition and projects in the field of green energy,” said Mihajlovic at the video conference on green energy.
She emphasized that cooperation in the process of energy transition is necessary and added that at the moment of the global energy crisis, the green agenda needs to be accelerated, stating that Serbia is open for cooperation with all countries and companies operating in the field of renewable energy sources (RES).
“Energy is the most important topic today. The crisis will end, but we certainly have to talk about the vision and strategy of energy,” said Mihajlovic at the video conference organized by the Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia, the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade and the National Energy Administration of China.
She reminded that in the previous ministry, which she headed, the cooperation with numerous Chinese companies was successful, and that a large number of projects in the field of transport and infrastructure were completed.
“That is why I am convinced that we can cooperate equally successfully in the field of energy, specifically in the field of green energy, and I am glad to talk today with Chinese companies with which we have not cooperated so far, and they are interested in working with us,” said the minister.
She pointed out that increasing the share of RES is an important instrument not only for preserving energy security in the process of energy transition, but also for achieving global goals in the fight against climate change. She pointed out that this year represents a turning point in the Serbian energy sector.
“We have adopted a completely new legal framework in the field of mining and energy, where the first special Law on the Use of RES is especially important. We have also started drafting strategic documents which will determine the goals and dynamics of changes in the energy sector by 2050,” said the Minister.
She added that the development of an integrated national energy and climate plan until 2030 with projections until 2050 and a new strategy for the development of energy until 2040 with projections until 2050 are in progress.
“Our vision is to get at least 40 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2040, and to reach climate neutrality in 2050. To achieve these goals, a new Investment Plan has been made, which includes projects in energy and mining worth 17 billion euros. Serbia has not built any large capacity in 30 years,” Mihajlovic said.
She specified that a large part of the investment plan, at least five billion, consists of projects in the field of RES, where efforts will be made to increase green energy production by investing in hydropower capacities, wind farms and capacities based on solar energy and biomass.
“In addition, the construction of gas power plants is planned. We are also interested in the development of hydrogen, which is why we defined hydrogen as RES for the first time by law, and the hydrogen strategy will be an integral part of the new energy development strategy,” said Mihajlovic.
The director of the National Energy Administration of China, Zhang Jianhu, pointed out the friendship between the two countries as a basis for further development of the strategic partnership.
“Our two peoples have shown mutual respect and solidarity during the pandemic. We hope that cooperation in the field of energy, especially in the RES sector, will be further improved, given the great potential that Serbia has, and having in mind our plans to increase investments in new capacities that use renewable sources,” he said.
He mentioned the Pancevo gas power plant and the Kostolac thermal power plant as good examples of cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy.
Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade, Chen Bo, said that the prospects and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy transformation are great and that the joint response to climate change will be in focus in the coming period, not only during the energy crisis.
“Serbia and China have a good tradition of energy cooperation and have great potential in the field of energy, but I think that the two countries do not know each other enough in the field of new energy, regardless of whether they are policies or companies dealing with new energy,” said Chen Bo.
She pointed out that China, which plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, wants to promote new green development.
“China will strongly support the development of green and low-carbon energy in developing countries,” the ambassador said.
She also pointed out that China is happy that Serbia pays attention to energy transformation in its development, encourages the development and use of green energy.
“This conference provides a good basis for both sides, which will serve to get to know the two sides better in the field of new energy,” said Chen Bo, N1 reports.
