In the presence of key dignitaries including Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Environmental Protection, Irena Vujović and parliamentary deputy minister of foreign affairs of Japan, Yasushi Hosaka, a milestone moment unfolded with the commencement of trial operations at the flue gas desulfurization facility within the “Nikola Tesla A” Thermal Power Plant. This marks the largest ecological initiative undertaken in European thermal power plants.
Minister Handanović heralded this achievement as a significant leap forward for Serbia’s energy landscape. The thermal power plant now stands as a benchmark for environmental compliance, aligning with the standards upheld by modern facilities across Europe. The promise of reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by a staggering thirty-fold and substantially curbing particulate matter emissions signifies a tangible improvement in air quality for the residents of Obrenovac, neighboring areas, and Belgrade.
The investment poured into this endeavor, totaling around 215 million euros, underscores its dual importance in both ecological and energy realms. Together with the forthcoming completion of a similar desulfurization plant at the Nikola Tesla B Thermal Power Plant, these facilities collectively generate half of Serbia’s electricity, thus playing a pivotal role in ensuring a stable power supply for citizens and industries.
Minister Handanović emphasized that these initiatives are not just environmentally sound but also vital for sustaining energy production amidst the country’s transition towards renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
Highlighting the bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Japan, Minister Handanović hinted at future collaborations, such as the proposed Reversible Hydroelectric Power Plant Bistrica, which is envisioned to play a crucial role akin to TENT A in ensuring future energy stability.
Minister Vujović echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the immense benefits of the project for Belgrade residents, who have long endured the environmental impacts of the thermal power plants in Obrenovac. The substantial reduction in emissions promised by this investment heralds a significant improvement in air quality, aligning with European standards.
Yasushi Hosaka, representing Japan, expressed pride in the collaboration, noting that TENT A’s desulfurization project is the first in Serbia to be backed by Japanese yen loans. He reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Serbia’s green transition and hinted at continued cooperation in decarbonization efforts.
Dušan Živković, in his capacity as acting CEO of Electric Power Industry of Serbia, lauded the incorporation of state-of-the-art equipment from renowned manufacturers in the desulfurization plant. He emphasized the significance of this technology, which not only reduces emissions but also yields high-quality gypsum as a by-product, further enhancing the project’s environmental credentials. With similar endeavors underway at TENT B, Serbia is poised to significantly mitigate harmful emissions from its thermal power plants, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
