Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) clarified that it has meticulously scheduled all maintenance activities and secured electricity well in advance at notably lower prices than those currently debated in public discourse. The company refuted claims by Dušan Nikezić, Vice President of the Party of Freedom and Justice, alleging that EPS continues to import over a quarter of its total electricity consumption at the highest rates in Europe, with disastrous financial outcomes.
“Vice President Dušan Nikezić is once again unsettling the public with unfounded assessments and misleading remarks about EPS’s operations. EPS has diligently planned all maintenance works, and electricity has been procured well below the figures currently circulating in public discussions,” EPS stated in its official response. As per their operational plan, EPS is actively conducting standard, extended, and capital overhauls of its production capacities this summer to ensure a robust and reliable system performance for the upcoming winter season.
Currently, EPS is focusing on major overhauls at Thermal Power Plant “Nikola Tesla” A2, Thermal Power Plants and Mines “Kostolac” A1 and B1, alongside the ongoing revitalization of the reversible hydroelectric power plant “Bajina Bašta.”
EPS highlighted its strategy during periods of heightened electricity consumption, such as the 15% increase observed due to higher air conditioning usage. Through optimized operational strategies, EPS procures energy during off-peak hours when prices are most favorable.
“In the free market electricity trading, EPS has not incurred any losses, contrary to Nikezić’s insinuations. In fact, EPS has achieved a profit of nearly EUR 22 million this year, selling more energy than it purchased. We affirm that production across our power plants operates securely and reliably, and EPS remains committed to providing ample electricity for the citizens and economy of Serbia,” EPS assured.
Nikezić previously claimed that EPS “continues to import over a quarter of its total electricity consumption” at purportedly exorbitant prices in Europe. He further questioned EPS on the volume and average cost of imported electricity between April 8 and July 8, financial losses incurred from electricity import and export operations during this period, and the frequency of unplanned production unit shutdowns compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
