Is solar power possible in Serbia?

With many sunny days, Serbia has great potential for solar energy. However, the use of solar power in residential buildings and individual houses is still in its early stages. The country’s recently adopted energy laws, combined with the lower costs of solar technology, raise expectations that this may soon change.

Will Serbia develop a 1 GW solar power plant?

As a first step, in August 2023, the Serbian Government published a public call for a strategic partner to develop a 1 gigawatt (GW) solar PV power plant, together with a minimum of 200 MW of storage. The government also announced that it will publish a similar call for the development of a 1 GW wind power plant by the end of this year.

How much does a solar project cost in Serbia?

Second, on 14 June 2023, the MoE published the first-ever public call for auctions to award the right to market premiums for 400 MW of wind and 50MW of solar projects in Serbia. Bids are to be submitted by 14 August 2023. The maximum offered price is EUR 105/MWh for wind projects and EUR 90/MWh for solar projects.

How long does it take to install a solar system in Serbia?

“Nowadays, we work more on on-grid systems, for users who have electricity but want to make additional savings with solar energy. An average household in Serbia would require a solar plant of 5-10 kW. Such a system can be paid off in five to seven years. The installation is not complex and can be finished within a couple of days,” adds Nikola.

Does Serbia subsidize coal & electricity prices?

Serbia heavily subsidizes coal and electricity prices, inhibiting competition. Recently, the Serbian government and EPS have announced ambitious plans to transition to green energy solutions and reduce Serbia’s dependence on Russian natural gas.

What percentage of Serbia's electricity comes from coal?

Serbia’s national power utility Electric Power of Serbia (EPS) produces nearly 70 percent of the country’s electricity from coal and nearly 27% percent from hydropower, with approximately 4% coming from private developers in wind and solar energy. Serbia heavily subsidizes coal and electricity prices, inhibiting competition.