Serbia’s Electric Power Industry (EPS) is embarking on a transformative journey, recently approved by its assembly, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency—a process expected to require more time than initially estimated by management, according to an anonymous source interviewed by Danas.
The transformation plan, crucially fulfilling a structural benchmark under Serbia’s arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, promises organizational restructuring without reducing salary budgets. EPS plans to bolster digitalization, improve data security, streamline investment management, and optimize human resources across its operations.
The overarching goal is to evolve EPS into a market-oriented, profitable entity aligned with customer satisfaction and the EU’s Green Agenda objectives by 2030. A significant investment cycle is envisaged to facilitate cost reductions and enhance operational outcomes.
Central to this transformation is the establishment of a Transformation Office comprising internal EPS personnel and external experts renowned in their fields. This office will spearhead the plan’s implementation, aiming to decentralize decision-making authority to executive directors, thereby fostering greater responsibility and agility within the organization.
While the appointment of general and executive directors is expected to proceed swiftly, the broader transformational efforts will unfold gradually due to the EPS’s substantial role in Serbia’s economy and society.
The plan does not foresee layoffs but instead emphasizes retraining to address workforce shortages within different EPS divisions. The robust presence of trade unions ensures that employee interests and job security are closely monitored and protected throughout the process.
However, concerns have been raised about the selection criteria and transparency surrounding the establishment of the Transformation Office. Dragoslav Ljubičić of the EPS “Nezavisnost” branch questions the selection process and hints at potential political influence in staffing decisions related to IT sector improvements within EPS.
As EPS navigates its transformational path, balancing efficiency gains with organizational stability and transparency remains a critical challenge amid its pivotal role in Serbia’s energy landscape.
