The share of electricity generated from renewable sources in Serbia reached 48 percent last year, driven primarily by hydropower, according to Danijela Isailović, director of the Renewable Energy Sources Association of Serbia. She noted that Serbia’s performance in this area is stronger than that of many European countries.
Hydropower plants account for roughly one-third of the electricity produced in the country. By contrast, modern renewable facilities such as wind farms and solar power plants still represent a much smaller share of the mix. Isailović highlighted that wind power has been developing more dynamically—mainly thanks to international investors—and that 12 wind farms are currently connected to the distribution network.
She said that alongside solar energy, Serbia has substantial untapped potential in both wind and hydropower. Wind generation, she added, has been expanding steadily, and Serbia could reach one gigawatt of installed wind capacity by the end of the year if two additional wind farms are connected as planned.
Isailović emphasized that combining wind and solar is the most effective approach since neither resource provides constant output. Wind conditions can be forecast through advanced, costly measurement and analysis processes, while solar generation depends heavily on weather conditions. Serbia currently does not have a single solar power plant connected to its transmission system, meaning no large-scale solar capacity is yet operational. She noted that serious large investors are still largely absent from this segment.
Energy from the sun can be stored in battery facilities, which release electricity when production drops. The European solar energy association expects storage capacity across the continent to increase fivefold by 2030. Serbia still lacks large battery storage plants, but several permitted projects exist, and investor interest is rising. Isailović believes the country will catch up with European trends relatively quickly.
She also pointed to the untapped potential of geothermal energy, biomass, and biogas, arguing that a diversified mix of renewable sources is essential for a successful energy transition.
The association supports discussions about developing nuclear energy in Serbia. Isailović welcomed the suspension of the long-standing moratorium but cautioned that nuclear power plants are highly complex and expensive, requiring many years to build and license. Public debate on the topic, however, is seen as a positive step.
Regarding the main obstacles to renewable energy development, Isailović cited administrative challenges, including slow permitting processes, delays in adopting planning documents, and insufficient responsiveness from local governments. She stressed that decarbonizing transport is as important as decarbonizing the power sector, and noted that Serbia lags behind the European Union in electric vehicle adoption.
Electric vehicles currently account for about 16 percent of the car fleet in Europe, compared to just 2–3 percent in Serbia. She added, however, that hybrid vehicles are increasingly common locally, and that roughly one-third of newly sold cars are either hybrid or fully electric.
The main barrier to wider adoption of electric vehicles, she said, is the underdeveloped charging infrastructure. Serbia currently has only nine fast chargers on highways managed by “Putevi Srbije,” while 22 more are awaiting grid connection. Additional chargers are planned, but regulatory gaps concerning electricity sales at hotels, shopping malls, and other locations remain unresolved.
Isailović concluded that many drivers are reluctant to change their habits and plan trips around charging stops. Improving infrastructure and encouraging behavioral shifts are therefore essential for progress in sustainable transport.
