Vladimir Milovanović, the director of “Beo Čista Energija”, highlighted the significant strides made in Belgrade’s waste management, with the thermal power plant in Vinča officially operational since July 1 of this year. The plant processes over 1,000 tons of municipal waste daily, contributing to a more sustainable waste disposal solution for the city.
Milovanović noted that Belgrade generates more than 600,000 tons of municipal waste annually, with the Vinča plant currently able to process up to 340,000 tons. The remaining waste is still disposed of at landfills, though efforts are underway to reduce this amount through additional waste management methods in collaboration with the city government.
The Vinča thermal power plant has a combined capacity of 30.24 megawatts for electricity generation and 50.5 megawatts for heat energy production. It is expected to supply five percent of Belgrade’s households with electricity and heat ten percent of homes, contributing significantly to the city’s energy needs.
The project is a joint effort of the Japanese corporation Itochu, the French company Veolia, and the Luxembourg-based investment fund Marguerite, which partner with the City of Belgrade under a public-private partnership agreement. Through this initiative, more than half of the waste generated in Belgrade is now thermally processed, with the resulting “green” energy distributed to consumers.
The Vinča facility also represents a major advancement in sustainable waste management, featuring the construction of a new sanitary landfill, a facility for the reuse of construction and demolition waste, and an advanced leachate treatment plant. This investment plays a critical role in improving the city’s waste management system, reducing environmental pollution from the old, unsanitary landfills, and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The City of Belgrade, in partnership with Beo Čista Energija, has ensured long-term waste disposal solutions for over 800,000 tons of municipal and construction waste annually. Additionally, efforts will continue to develop infrastructure for waste collection and the primary separation of recyclable materials. This project marks a key milestone in improving the quality of the environment and enhancing the city’s approach to waste management.
