During the entire winter, coal and electricity production remained stable, and coal stocks at depots and reserves in accumulations were at high levels, which was not the case in previous years. Coal production in the first three months of this year has increased by 8% compared to the previous year. Serbia has significantly slowed down its economic growth in the first quarter, as the plan was to be the fastest-growing economy in Europe. There is growing panic, which scares both people and investors, particularly due to daily blockades. Many untruths have been spread over the years, such as claims that we will sell EPS to the Norwegians and rumors about acid rain caused by lithium. These are just examples from the energy and mining sectors, but they are similar to the current situation, says Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović in an interview for Politika.
Regarding the recent sanctions delay on NIS for 60 days, Minister Đedović Handanović highlights that the delay is excellent news as sanctions would primarily affect citizens and the economy rather than the Russian energy sector. There have been ongoing negotiations with both the American and Russian sides, with hopes for discussions between President Vučić and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and possibly American President Donald Trump. A complete removal of sanctions is the long-term solution, but it is a complex process requiring confirmation from Congress to remove NIS from the sanctions list. The Serbian government will continue monitoring market conditions, strengthening logistics and reserves, and increasing resilience as much as possible.
Regarding the “Jadar” project, which is a major issue due to the global focus on rare minerals like lithium, the European Commission will decide on its strategic importance. The Serbian government emphasizes that while political and external factors are involved, technical studies are ongoing and the final decision will come after these studies are completed.
In terms of EPS (Serbia’s national power utility), the recent decline in profits has sparked political debate. However, Minister Đedović Handanović defends the company’s performance, noting that it has made significant investments and improvements, including a new power block in Kostolac, revamping existing power plants, and investing in renewable energy projects. EPS has achieved a profit of 10.8 billion dinars in the first three months of this year, with coal production increasing by 8% compared to the previous year. The government’s goal is to continue the company’s transformation and invest in both current and new energy capacities.
In conclusion, Serbia’s energy sector continues to face challenges, especially due to ongoing political blockades and economic instability. The government is focused on stabilizing the energy supply, completing renewable energy projects, and ensuring Serbia’s energy security in the long term.
