Despite amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in 2023, the integration of variable renewable energy sources in Serbia remains robust. The adjustments aim to ensure controlled and secure integration within defined technical and regulatory frameworks, prioritizing the interests of the Republic of Serbia. Currently, approximately 11,000 MW of variable RES from solar and wind sources are in the connection process. Of these, about 6,700 MW are obligated to construct additional storage facilities to provide regulatory reserves for the national power system.
Several years ago, Serbian experts initiated efforts to manage the integration of variable renewable energy sources carefully. This initiative was prompted by inadequate legal solutions in 2021, which allowed these sources priority access to the system without balancing responsibilities, posing a threat to the integrity of the power system. The goal was to find a model that allows the connection of new renewable sources without compromising the security and stability of the national and regional power grids.
The amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in 2023 addressed these concerns, removing major omissions and ensuring the safe operation of the national electric energy system. The new legal solution grants System Operators the right to request additional technical parameters from investors in variable RES, ensuring the overall stability of the power system. Conditions for connecting electricity production facilities from variable renewable sources were also specified and tightened.
The regulatory framework, including regulations on delivery and supply of electricity, method of proving conditions for connection delays, and rules for connecting objects to the transmission system, has been completed. This comprehensive approach has significantly reduced the number of connection requests and brought the process to a more acceptable and realistic level.
Under the old legal framework, there were 3,994 MW from wind and 397 MW from solar energy in the connection process. With the new legal framework, these numbers have been revised to 3,390 MW from wind and 3,279 MW from solar energy. The total capacity of about 11,000 MW in the connection process includes around 6,700 MW obligated to build additional storage facilities for regulatory reserves, ensuring the stable and safe operation of the national electric energy system.
These current capacity values exceed those outlined in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, indicating progress in national energy policy goals. Importantly, these amendments have not hindered the integration of variable RES but have continued within controlled and well-defined technical and regulatory frameworks, serving the best interests of the Republic of Serbia.
