Dejan Stojanović, Director of the business association Toplane Srbije, announced the start of technical testing of district heating systems, stating that most plants are ready for the upcoming season. “Cold” tests have begun, followed by “hot” tests, which will transition into regular heating. Most systems comply with local regulations for the start of the season, and ongoing minor works will not disrupt service.
Heating operations and customer guidance
Heating typically operates from 6:00 to 21:00–22:00, with 24-hour service during extreme cold. Stojanović urged customers to promptly report malfunctions to prevent major outages and ensure smooth system operation.
Financial challenges and sector debt
The heating sector faces significant financial pressure, with losses of around 4 billion dinars in 2024 and total natural gas debts between 8–9 billion dinars. As natural gas is the primary energy source for most plants, this situation complicates operations. Srbijagas, the main gas supplier, is working to maintain deliveries despite debts and market difficulties.
Government coordination and fuel procurement
Meetings with relevant ministries aim to ensure stable energy delivery, even for plants with unresolved property or operational issues. In addition to natural gas, plants are gradually procuring other fuels like fuel oil and coal to cover the season.
Payments and debt collection
Collection from households and businesses reaches approximately 90%, but outstanding debts remain high: 21 billion dinars from households, 12.5–13 billion from businesses, and around 300 million from public institutions. Stojanović stressed that timely payments are essential for system stability and uninterrupted fuel supply.
Pricing and consumption-based billing plans
By September 1, 28 of 60 heating plants submitted requests for price adjustments; eight have been approved, with increases ranging from 5–10% in most cases. Currently, 17–18 plants charge fully based on consumption, and over half of all plants are expected to adopt full consumption-based billing by the end of 2026, encouraging more efficient energy use.
