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Energy Sector and Gender Equality: The Situation in Serbia and the Region

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Gender equality is one of the key conditions for a fair and clean energy transition, which is why increasing attention is being paid to empowering women and ensuring their greater participation in the energy sector, especially in leadership positions. Governments and institutions across the Energy Community are launching initiatives in this direction, but, as noted by the Energy Community Secretariat, women remain underrepresented in the nine contracting parties. These include Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, where, according to analyses by the World Bank, OECD, and other sources, women make up only about 17–18 percent of the energy sector workforce.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Secretariat asked its contracting parties to highlight efforts to promote gender equality in the energy sector, including education, leadership opportunities, and inclusive policies.

On behalf of Serbia, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy, responded. She noted that stereotypes portraying energy sector jobs as primarily for men are increasingly being challenged, and women are now more present and visible. They currently lead three major state-owned energy companies and have for years headed the relevant ministry.

The minister also shared results from a survey conducted among women under 30 in Serbia, which showed that over 93 percent support the transition to renewable energy, while more than 85 percent believe that the sector’s development would have a positive social and economic impact. At the same time, respondents were less optimistic about the opportunities available to women in the industry, indicating that certain stereotypes persist.

The findings show that women recognize the importance of the energy transition and want to play an active role in it. The minister concluded that it is up to everyone—both in the public and private sectors—to create opportunities and promote equal prospects for women and men alike.

Energy Portal

Did you know that glass and ceramics do not mix in recycling – and here is why

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

When we throw an empty bottle into a glass recycling container, we rarely think about what happens afterward. We usually assume that it will simply be collected, melted, and turned into a new bottle or jar. And indeed, glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled almost endlessly without losing its quality. However, for this process to work properly, the glass stream must be clean.

This is exactly where a problem arises that many people do not expect – ceramics.

Special attention to this issue was drawn by the European initiative Close the Glass Loop, which at the beginning of 2026 organized an expert episode of the series “90 Minutes to Close the Loop”, dedicated to the quality of glass collection in the hospitality sector. The focus was on ceramics, one of the most common yet often overlooked contaminants in glass recycling.

At first glance, glass and ceramics look similar. When a plate, cup, or piece of porcelain breaks, many people assume that such waste can be disposed of together with glass. However, in the industrial recycling process, the difference between these two materials is enormous. While glass melts and is transformed into new packaging, ceramics have a completely different structure and melting temperature. Because of this, they do not melt together with glass in furnaces but remain as solid inclusions in the new product.

Such small impurities can cause major problems in production. Pieces of ceramics sometimes manage to pass even through advanced sorting and quality control systems. When they end up in new bottles or jars, they can weaken the structure of the glass, increasing the risk of breakage during filling, transportation, or use. In industrial plants this can lead to production interruptions, equipment damage, and significant financial losses, and in the worst case even safety risks for workers and consumers.

One of the places where the quality of collected glass is particularly important is the hospitality sector. Hotels, restaurants, and cafés – known as the HORECA sector – use large quantities of glass packaging for beverages and food on a daily basis. In Europe and the United Kingdom there are more than two million such establishments, and they generate a significant portion of glass waste. Estimates show that this sector accounts for around 17 percent of the total glass recycling potential, while as much as about 30 percent of beverages in the European Union are consumed precisely in hospitality establishments.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jay Wennington)

In tourist countries, restaurants and hotels often operate like large households, but with a much more intensive pace of work. During a single day they can generate large amounts of empty bottles and jars, which means that proper waste separation becomes a key step for the quality of recycling. However, work in such an environment is often fast and dynamic, with limited space, seasonal peaks in activity, and high employee turnover. For this reason, mistakes in waste separation sometimes occur.

Experts emphasize that the solution is not complicated, but it does require organization and awareness. Clearly labeled containers, simple rules for waste separation, and short staff trainings can make a big difference. When staff know that a broken cup or plate should never end up in a glass container, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced.

The use of recycled glass plays a huge role in the development of the circular economy. Every time glass is reused as a raw material, the need for the exploitation of natural resources such as sand is reduced, as well as the energy consumption in the production of new products. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfills. However, all of these benefits depend on the quality of the collected material.

That is why the message from experts is very simple, yet important: proper waste separation begins where the waste is generated. When glass is collected separately and without contamination, it can once again become a new bottle, jar, or glass – many times over.

The next time you separate waste, remember this simple rule. Glass goes into the glass container, but ceramics do not. This small difference helps glass recycling truly work and allows this material to remain in a closed loop of use.

Milena Maglovski 

Recycling and Raising Environmental Awareness in the Municipality of Brod

Foto: Selmir E Žepč@n

The Municipality of Brod is working intensively to improve waste management, focusing on recycling construction materials, remediation of the municipal landfill, and public education—thereby contributing to a greener transition. We spoke with Milan Zečević, Mayor of the Municipality of Brod, about the main challenges in this process and the advantages this local community possesses.

Q: The Municipality of Brod is actively improving construction waste management through the CrossWaste project. Could you tell us more about the objectives of this project?

A: As a border local community, the Municipality of Brod fits within the eligibility requirements of numerous public calls under IPA policies. Accordingly, we applied for one of the calls published for 2023/2024, together with the Municipality of Borovo, as the call required one municipality from within the EU and one from outside the EU.

The CrossWaste project focuses on the management of construction waste, primarily generated through the removal of deteriorated and derelict buildings within our municipality. The project includes the preparation of several supporting documents, training activities, and awareness campaigns targeting our youngest population with regard to environmental protection and raising ecological awareness among our citizens.

The main component of the project involves the procurement of specialized machinery (a crusher) to process the aforementioned construction material and convert it into aggregate suitable for the rehabilitation of unclassified and gravel roads in the Municipality of Brod. In other words, this process is conceived as part of a recycling cycle in which waste is transformed into a sustainable and useful material.

In the long term, we believe that the project’s greatest impact will not lie solely in acquiring the crusher but in fostering a stronger sense of environmental responsibility among our citizens as part of the broader vision of a greener transition for our local community.

Q: Where does the development of the Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) currently stand, and what did the survey you conducted reveal?

A: Within the framework of the CrossWaste project, the Municipality of Brod developed the LEAP, which involved assessing all environmental capacities, existing realities, threats, and development opportunities that our municipality can offer in the implementation of new environmental standards.

Our idea is to integrate a more developed environmental awareness throughout the entire municipality. However, this unfortunately requires continuity, as well as political, social, and community partners who will consistently implement, improve, and pass on these efforts to future generations.

The survey results indicate that the public in Brod demonstrates a relatively high level of awareness regarding environmental issues. The main concerns relate to illegal dumping sites, water quality, and flood risks. At the same time, citizens proposed concrete measures—from education and improved organization to strengthening waste management systems and enhancing institutional accountability.

IN FOCUS:

Q: Could you clarify the current status of works at the municipal landfill, the planned environmental protection measures, and the timeline for completing the remediation?

A: The remediation of the municipal landfill is certainly one of the biggest challenges our local community is facing, not only in terms of environmental protection but also in terms of efficient disposal of newly generated waste. At the landfill site, waste has been disposed of improperly, and without planning for a long period of time, we believe for over 30 years, which is, after all, also the case in other local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, this issue is among the most urgent, requiring not only a temporary solution but also a planned, systematic approach.

The fire that broke out at the landfill, thanks to the great effort and coordination of all competent services, remained under control, but it also served as a unique opportunity for all of us to understand how important the issue of municipal waste disposal truly is.

The analysis we conducted by reviewing the operations of the unit of the municipal company responsible for waste collection and disposal, as well as the surveys we carried out, showed that over the past 10 years, the amount of waste we produce has drastically increased, which further supports the thesis that we are becoming an increasingly consumer-oriented society.

For example, over the past 10 years, the Municipality of Brod has experienced a significant population outflow. Still, despite a reduction in the number of municipal service users, there has been a considerable increase in the gross mass of waste. One of the biggest problems is certainly the process of selecting and separating mixed municipal waste, and we believe that the first step, which we are currently working on, is selecting and separating PET packaging, which accounts for the largest share of the volume of newly generated waste.

At present, the municipal landfill is implementing the second phase of remediation. The first phase included extinguishing the fire and introducing order into the waste disposal process so that we would not again reach a stage of uncontrolled landfill growth. A significant part of the access roads to the landfill has been completed, a regular gate control service has been introduced, and video surveillance has been installed, all to secure and regulate citizens’ access to this area.

The construction of internal roads within the landfill is currently underway. By the end of this year, we plan to significantly intensify activities related to the separation of PET packaging from other types of waste.

Interview by Jasna Dragojević 

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine DIGITALIZATION

Serbia’s energy plan: 1,500 MW of new capacity, gas-fired power plants, and the start of a nuclear program

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (planet_fox)

Serbia’s energy sector is facing major changes and, according to Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the country could add around 1,500 MW of new state-owned electricity generation capacity by 2030, equivalent to about 20 percent of its current capacity.

Speaking to RTS, the minister said that significant investments in electricity generation, gas and oil infrastructure, as well as the start of nuclear program development, are expected by 2035. The plan includes the construction of new gas-fired power plants and a stronger expansion of renewable energy sources, while a dedicated project is the gas-fired power plant in Niš, which is expected to be implemented in cooperation with an Azerbaijani company.

As stated on the Ministry’s website, additional investments in solar power plants and wind farms are also planned, with Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) set to play an important role. She recalled that most of the solar and wind projects awarded support through auctions have signed long-term power purchase agreements with EPS.

“More than 90 percent of those power plants have contracts with EPS at prices below market levels,” the minister said.

She highlighted the Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower plant as one of the most important projects in the coming period, noting that it should enable a higher share of renewable energy in the power system.

According to the minister, Bistrica is the most complex project currently under development and requires a large number of procedures and permits.

The construction permit for the main facility is expected by the end of the year, she said, adding that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also played a significant role in the project and has been assessing it for some time. Construction could begin as early as 2027, provided financing is approved.

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The minister also addressed criticism of EPS’s operations, stressing that it is necessary to increase electricity generation in state-owned facilities because domestic generation is the most cost-effective option. She noted that EPS has increased its capacity by 426 MW over the past year and a half.

She added that last year was made even more difficult by extremely poor hydrology — the driest year in the past 31 years — which caused hydropower plants to generate significantly less electricity, nearly 30 percent less than in 2023.

Serbia, however, is also facing obligations toward the European Union regarding carbon dioxide emissions reductions, the minister said, explaining that there is an issue of so-called carbon tax — a tax on CO2 emissions. EPS is the largest emitter due to its reliance on coal-fired thermal power plants, while baseload power could be replaced through gas-fired or nuclear power plants.

Referring to these challenges, the minister said that Serbia is also considering the development of a nuclear program, with expectations that construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant could begin by 2035. In preparing the project, the state is cooperating with France’s EDF, one of Europe’s largest power companies, which can provide expert support and experience.

The minister added that major investments in gas infrastructure are also planned, including the construction of around 1,000 kilometers of new gas pipelines and the expansion of gasification in parts of eastern and western Serbia, including Paraćin, Negotin and Zlatibor.

As she recalled, work is also under way on the expansion of the Banatski Dvor gas storage facility, with most of the works expected to be completed within the next year. The storage capacity should be increased to around 750 million cubic meters of gas, while the construction of a new gas storage facility, Tilva, is also planned.

In addition to gas, another important project is the new oil pipeline between Serbia and Hungary. The project is expected to reduce dependence on a single oil supply route. Works could begin as early as late summer or early autumn this year.

At the end of the interview, the minister also spoke about challenges related to Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS). According to her, the negotiations involve several international actors, including companies such as MOL Group and ADNOC.

Energy portal

European Commission launches initiatives to strengthen offshore wind infrastructure

Photo: Pixabay

The success of auctions in Poland and the United Kingdom, as well as the North Sea Summit in Hamburg, has given new momentum to Europe’s offshore wind sector. At the summit, the North Sea countries committed to provide two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfD) for 10 GW of offshore wind annually between 2031 and 2040, and to remove regulatory barriers for Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). At the same time, the European wind industry announced it would mobilize 1 trillion euros of economic activity in Europe, create 91,000 new jobs, and invest 9.5 billion euros in the value chain, including manufacturing, port infrastructure, and specialized vessels.

However, strengthening the capacity of ports and specialized vessels remains a priority to ensure that these gains are maintained in the coming years. Their importance lies in being a key link in Europe’s offshore wind supply chain.

For this reason, the European Commission has introduced two new initiatives – the EU Ports Strategy and the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy – aimed at developing and modernizing port and maritime infrastructure.

According to WindEurope, European port capacity is already lagging behind demand, meaning an additional 2.1 billion euros in investment is needed on top of the 4.7 billion euros already invested in recent years.

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The EU Ports Strategy recognizes the need for new investments and calls on Member States to better align port infrastructure modernization with the development of offshore wind projects. The strategy foresees faster permitting for port expansion, while port electricity infrastructure should be treated as a project of overriding public interest. Member States are also encouraged to accelerate grid connections and improve port electrification, although these steps alone will not be sufficient without additional funding.

The EU Maritime Industrial Strategy focuses on strengthening and protecting Europe’s shipbuilding industry by ensuring a level playing field with non-European shipyards. The EU plans to monitor policies in other countries to detect potential unfair trade practices, while coordinated public procurement and faster permits for shipyard upgrades aim to ensure stable demand. WindEurope supports these measures but emphasizes that additional funding is urgently needed.

The strategy also promotes the development of vessels for offshore wind farms, focusing on high-value segments where Europe already has strong industrial potential, such as offshore support vessels and cable-laying ships. A Maritime Industrial Value Chain Alliance will be established to identify new business opportunities for the European maritime industry.

At the same time, recent events have once again highlighted the vulnerability of Europe’s energy system to geopolitical shocks. Natural gas prices in Europe have risen by more than 40% following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East on 28 February, reaching their highest level since 2023, further impacting industrial competitiveness.

In this context, offshore wind is considered one of Europe’s key options to reduce dependence on expensive and volatile fossil fuel imports, concludes WindEurope.

Energy portal

IEG, KEY – The Energy Transition Expo at Full Steam Ahead

Photo: KEY 2026

Three days of great exhibits, meetings, discussions and dialogues to map the new direction of the global energy future.

KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, IEG’s (Italian Exhibition Group) event of reference in Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean basin on energy transition, came to a close today at Rimini Expo Centre after another intense edition full of new developments with results exceeding expectations.

Total attendance grew by 10 percent, with foreign visitors up by 9 percent and a strong presence of investors.

Covering 125,000 square meters of exhibition space and 24 halls, more than 1,000 exhibiting brands, of which 320 from abroad, showcased the most innovative products, solutions and technologies in the seven energy transition sectors.

530 hosted buyers and delegations from 59 countries were in attendance thanks to the support of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). 412 journalists from around the world were accredited.

The event, inaugurated on Wednesday, 4th March by the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, showcased European and non-European industrial and technological expertise with enormous enthusiasm throughout the entire Expo Centre while also promoting international cooperation, particularly with the African continent in the new Africa Investment HUB area.

Photo: KEY 2026

With 160 high-quality and rigorously scientific conferences, KEY 2026 confirmed its status as one of Europe’s most important energy events, standing out due to the completeness of its exhibition and content. These include the importance of energy efficiency for decarbonization, storage, and the use of artificial intelligence to optimize electricity grids, predict energy production from renewable sources, and manage energy flows in real time.

A platform that has combined technological innovation and finance, promoting dialogue between engineers, technology developers, investors, and institutions with the aim of making projects bankable and accelerating their implementation, thereby reducing risk. Among the requests that have emerged from associations and industries is the need to increase network flexibility and adopt clear rules that promote investment and competitiveness in order to transform the energy transition from a distant prospect into reality.

Great attention was paid to the topic of finance, new financial and investment models, capital for the implementation of renewable projects, and innovative tools for controlling energy costs, such as new forms of financing, green bonds, bonds for sustainable projects, and participatory models involving citizens, businesses, and communities.

Innovation and green jobs were the focus of the Innovation District with 32 innovative start-ups and SMEs and the Green Jobs&Skills initiative, which fostered the encounter between job supply and demand in the field of sustainability. The Lorenzo Cagnoni Innovation Award was presented to seven start-ups and seven KEY exhibitors for their most innovative projects, one for each of the event’s product categories.

DPE – INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICITY EXPO

In conjunction with KEY, the new edition of the DPE – International Electricity Expo also took place. This specific event on the electricity generation, transmission, distribution, safety and automation ecosystem, is organised by Italian Exhibition Group in collaboration with the Distributed Generation Association – Motors, Components, Generating Sets, a confederate of ANIMA Confindustria, and Federazione ANIE – which represents companies operating in the electrical engineering and electronics supply chains and industrial general contractors within the Confindustria system.

KEY CHOICE – Unlock the future of PPAs

On Tuesday, 3rd March, at Rimini’s Palacongressi Conference Centre, KEY was preceded by a successful new edition of KEY CHOICE – Unlock the future of PPAs, KEY – The Energy Transition Expo’s B2B event on Power Purchase Agreements, organised by Italian Exhibition Group in collaboration with Elemens.

KEY will be back at Rimini Expo Centre from 10th to 12th March 2027.

Source: KEY Energy

ENTSOG: Injection of renewable gases into European networks reaches 43.2 TWh

Photo-illustration: Freepik (fanjianhua)

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) has published a report on the annual injection of renewable gases into the European Union’s gas networks for the period from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2025. Tracking this data is important because the injection process allows renewable gas to be used through the existing gas infrastructure.

The report showed that the injection of renewable gases, including biomethane and renewable hydrogen, increased over the last two gas years from 38.1 TWh to 43.2 TWh, representing an annual growth of 12 percent.

As highlighted, the increase was driven by the commissioning of new plants, and 94 percent of the total injection came from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands.

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ENTSOG’s General Director, Piotr Kuś (Pjotr Kuš), emphasized that renewable and low-carbon gases can be injected into natural gas networks relatively easily, allowing the transport of sustainable energy sources through the existing infrastructure.

He added that the development of the biomethane market can be encouraged without significant additional infrastructure investments, which is important for achieving the European Union’s target of producing 35 billion cubic meters of biomethane annually by 2030.

Energy portal

New Google Data Center to Use Renewable Energy and Battery Storage for Up to 100 Hours

Photo-illustration: Freepik (vecstock)

Google plans to build a new data center in the city of Pine Island, in the U.S. state of Minnesota, which will be powered by electricity from new renewable energy sources.

In addition, the project includes the installation of an iron-air battery (batteries based on iron and air) with a capacity of 30 GWh and a power output of 300 MW, currently the largest battery system in the world in terms of gigawatt-hour capacity. The batteries are developed and manufactured by the U.S. company Form Energy, and the system will be able to store energy for up to 100 hours.

According to the U.S. energy company Xcel Energy, with which Google has signed a power supply agreement for the new data center, the project will include 1,400 MW of wind turbines, 200 MW of solar panels, and 300 MW of long-duration energy storage. Google will cover all costs for the new grid infrastructure, so existing Xcel Energy customers will not see their bills increase.

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This project is one of the largest in the field of long-duration energy storage and significantly contributes to the goals of the state of Minnesota to increase the share of electricity generated without carbon dioxide emissions.

Data centers are a key part of the digital economy infrastructure, as they support services used daily by billions of people, including YouTube, Google Maps, the Google Search engine, and Google Workspace.

Energy Portal

Serbia Plans to Increase Gas Imports from Azerbaijan to 1.4 Billion Cubic Meters Annually

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Martin Adams)

During the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council in Baku, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy for Oil and Gas, Saša Koković, emphasized the importance of energy security and cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

He highlighted that energy security is a matter of national safety and resilience to geopolitical risks. Recent years have shown that security of supply can be ensured through the diversification of sources and routes, as well as through strong regional cooperation.

Speaking about bilateral cooperation, Koković particularly emphasized the strategic importance of Azerbaijan.

“Results of the cooperation achieved so far are reflected in signed agreements in the field of energy, with a focus on natural gas, renewable energy sources, and the exchange of experience in the application of new technologies. The latest agreement on the design, construction, and management of a 500 MW gas power plant confirms the strong foundation of energy cooperation between our countries,” Koković said.

The power plant near Niš will produce 350 MW of electricity and 150 MW of thermal energy, with significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional coal-fired thermal power plants.

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Koković added that during 2024, the first year of gas cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan, 113.7 million cubic meters of gas were delivered, while last year the volume increased to 253.9 million cubic meters, with a further upward trend expected this year.

“In discussions with representatives of the company SOCAR, we are considering increasing deliveries to 1.4 billion cubic meters annually, by the completion of the gas power plant in Niš planned for 2030,” the assistant minister stated.

Regarding regional cooperation, Koković recalled that gas interconnections with Hungary and Bulgaria, as well as the planned ones with Romania and North Macedonia, enable bidirectional flows and greater system flexibility, as well as the possibility of hydrogen transport in the future.

“In this way, we are building a regional network that increases the stability of all our energy systems. For Serbia, access to LNG terminals is also important, as they expand the range of supply sources, especially during periods of increased consumption and market instability,” Koković concluded.

Energy portal

More Than Energy: How Solar Panels Are Transforming Aquaculture

Photo: AI generation

Solar panels are no longer tied exclusively to rooftops or farmland. Exploring new horizons, they are increasingly being seen on terraces, above parking lots, and over sea surfaces, in search of solutions that, beyond producing clean energy, also provide additional benefits. Researchers at Taiwan’s university have shown that solar systems can offer new possibilities even when installed over fish and shellfish ponds.

Climate change, which is felt especially strongly during the summer months, has a pronounced negative impact on aquaculture. More frequent and intense heat waves threaten fish and shellfish, while also making the work of producers who manage these farms more difficult. High temperatures do not only affect aquatic organisms directly; they also accelerate water evaporation from ponds, increasing the need for pumping and raising operational costs.

To explore solutions, scientists conducted a study in which they developed a computer model showing the relationship between weather conditions, water quality, shellfish growth, and solar energy production.

Experiments were carried out under different scenarios—from ponds with no panels at all to cases where up to 70 percent of the pond surface was covered with solar panels. In this context, the panels act as a natural “cooler”: water beneath them remains cooler, reducing heat stress for aquatic organisms. At the same time, the shade decreases water evaporation and allows farms to use their own clean energy to operate the ponds, further reducing costs.

At first glance, it might seem that the shade created by solar panels severely limits conditions in the ponds, but for shellfish, direct and intense sunlight can often be more harmful than partial shading. Certain challenges still exist, however. Phytoplankton—microscopic organisms that form the base of the diet for shellfish and other filter feeders—require sunlight to grow. Too much shade can reduce food availability and slow shellfish growth. The study showed that 40 percent pond coverage by panels can reduce shellfish yields by about a quarter. Still, income from electricity production can offset this loss.

As an optimal solution, the researchers recommend around 45 percent coverage, as this maintains roughly 70 percent of typical shellfish production while maximizing solar energy benefits.

Another advantage of these systems is significant water savings, which are especially important in coastal areas where water supply is often limited or expensive. Reduced evaporation can save up to 30 percent of water, lowering operational costs and increasing resilience during dry periods.

Although the study focused on shellfish cultivation, the same principle can be applied to fish ponds, shrimp farms, and other types of aquaculture, with shading levels adjusted to the needs of different species.

Katarina Vuinac

The Ministry presents measures to stabilize the milk market after producers’ protests

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Angelina Litvin)

Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management met in Belgrade with representatives of the “Šajkača” Farmers’ Association and the Association of Milk Producers of Šumadija and Pomoravlje, who had staged protests and road blockades in recent days. The meeting focused on outstanding issues in the dairy sector and options to stabilize the market and improve the position of producers.

According to the ministry, an overview of the current situation was presented during the talks, and it was assessed that dairies currently have no cheese stocks, after domestic companies purchased surpluses, with the ministry supporting the placement of cheeses through retail chains. Minister Dragan Glamočić said this, as he put it, marked a first step toward easing market pressures and creating room for further milk purchases, calling on producers to notify the ministry if any dairy claims it still has stocks.

Milk purchase prices were also discussed. The minister said the state cannot administratively set the farm-gate price, but that the ministry is in daily communication with the dairy industry and has appealed for an increase. According to him, some dairies have already raised the price by five dinars per liter, while talks with the remaining companies are expected to continue in the coming days.

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The ministry also announced the introduction of contractual obligations between producers and processors, i.e., buyers. Glamočić said a decision on mandatory written contracts should be placed on the agenda of a Serbian government session as early as next week, and that farmers will also take part in defining the key elements of the contracts. Penalties for failing to comply with contractual obligations, according to the announcement, will amount to up to two million dinars.

The minister also noted that, in March, the procedure should begin for a Draft Law on Trading Practices, which, as stated, would more precisely regulate payment deadlines within the supply chain. According to him, this area has so far not been regulated in a systemic way.

As part of measures to protect domestic production, Glamočić said an initiative has been launched to raise tariffs on milk powder—by nine percent for imports from the European Union and by 20 percent for imports from third countries. At the same time, he said talks with the European Commission are continuing on the possible introduction of levies on cheeses and milk powder.

The ministry also announced a new Rulebook on the declaration, labeling and advertising of food, which would introduce a graphic “100% from Serbia” label for products whose ingredients are entirely of Serbian origin. A campaign to encourage consumption of domestically produced milk and dairy products was also announced.

He also said procedures for subsidy payments have been accelerated and announced that payments of 18,000 dinars per hectare will begin as early as tomorrow, explaining that applications are processed immediately upon receipt, without waiting for the public call to close.

Energy portal

Serbia and Hungary Deepen Economic Cooperation

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (krakenimages)

Last week in Belgrade, more than 200 businesspeople from 117 companies across various sectors gathered for the Serbian-Hungarian Business Forum.

According to Marko Čadež, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, bilateral trade between Serbia and Hungary reached 3.4 billion euros last year, placing Hungary among Serbia’s five largest foreign trade partners. He added that Hungarian investments in Serbia have exceeded 1.5 billion euros, and the forum is expected to further stimulate a new investment cycle.

The forum particularly highlighted the opening of a new area of cooperation in high technology, including opportunities for technological partnerships, digitalization, industrial transformation, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in business operations.

The official website of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce notes that an important step was the signing of a Memorandum on the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises, with the expectation that agreements reached at the highest level will be translated into concrete business deals, investments, and new jobs.

One of the topics discussed was potential additional collaboration in the automotive industry, given the arrival of Stellantis in Serbia, as well as investments by the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and battery producer CATL in Hungary. This opens opportunities for Serbian and Hungarian companies to participate in supply chains for both conventional and electric vehicles.

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Regarding the railway sector, passenger traffic between the two countries on the Belgrade–Budapest high-speed line is planned to start by March 27. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó noted that freight rail traffic on the new line between Budapest and Belgrade has already begun, emphasizing that this connection links the southern European port with Western Europe, while the route through Serbia becomes the fastest and most efficient.

He added that currently ten freight trains operate between the two cities, with the number expected to increase to 16 trains per day in March, including four trains on the Vienna–Budapest route, establishing a direct Vienna–Belgrade line.

More about the discussions at the Serbian-Hungarian Business Forum can be read here.

Energy portal

Copper Market Under Pressure – Record Prices and Refining Risks

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Copper prices reached record levels this year, surpassing 14,500 dollars per ton in January 2026, after crossing 12,000 dollars per ton for the first time at the end of 2025. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the price increase has been driven by short-term supply disruptions and tariff uncertainties, as well as long-term factors – primarily strong demand resulting from the electrification of the energy system and the development of artificial intelligence (AI), alongside challenges in opening new mines. Lower interest rates, a weaker dollar, and greater investor interest in physical assets have further amplified the price growth.

Although high prices may appear favorable for producers, pressure is increasingly shifting to the copper refining sector. The rapid expansion of smelting capacities in China is creating imbalances in the middle of the supply chain and increasing risks to market stability.

Demand for copper in the coming years could rise sharply due to the power grid, electric vehicles, construction, data centers, and other sectors. However, the IEA warns that the copper market could face a supply deficit of around 30 percent by 2035. Copper content in mines has declined by 40 percent since 1991, while the discovery of new deposits has dropped sharply – of all deposits found over the past 35 years, only five percent were discovered in the last decade. Additional pressure comes from the fact that it typically takes about 17 years from discovery to production start for a new mine, and many large projects today experience delays and cost overruns.

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While high copper prices seem advantageous, smelters are not earning enough. Processing charges (TC/RC) have fallen to record lows, in some contracts even to zero, creating risks for the midstream of the supply chain. Some smelters still profit from by-products – gold, silver, and sulfuric acid – but their prices are volatile, making revenue uncertain.

The IEA explains that different types of smelters have varying resilience. For example, integrated smelters linked to mines better withstand low charges as they have their own concentrate and lower costs. In contrast, independent smelters that purchase concentrate on the market are most vulnerable to falling TC/RC and concentrate shortages.

Moreover, China’s growing influence in copper refining creates a strategic vulnerability. Today, China produces about 50 percent of the world’s refined copper, and further market concentration could threaten the supply to critical sectors, including energy, transport, AI, and defense. If TC/RC remain low and by-product prices fall, many smelters outside China could become unprofitable, further strengthening China’s share in global copper refining.

The IEA report notes that the global copper industry needs diversification and coordination between mines and smelters, while governments should monitor the situation and take measures to ensure stable and secure copper production for future energy and technological needs.

Energy portal

European Commission probes Romania’s request for more aid and a longer restructuring period for CE Oltenia

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Dominik Vanyi)

The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation at the end of February into the amended restructuring plan for Romania’s state-owned energy company CE Oltenia, in order to determine whether the proposed increase in state aid complies with European Union rules. Opening the procedure does not prejudge the final outcome, but marks a new stage in the assessment of the notified changes.

CE Oltenia holds an important place in Romania’s power system, as it is engaged in both lignite mining and electricity generation. Back in January 2022, the European Commission approved restructuring aid for CE Oltenia worth about EUR 2.66 billion for the 2021–2026 period, concluding that the plan could enable the company to return to long-term viability.

The restructuring approved at the time was not conceived as financial support for maintaining the existing business model, but as a deep transformation of the company. The plan envisaged a gradual reduction in reliance on lignite and a shift toward generation based on natural gas and renewable energy sources. According to the Commission’s decision, the process was meant to include technical and technological changes, organisational and managerial restructuring, environmental protection measures, and financial consolidation.

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In operational terms, this meant closing or placing part of the existing lignite-fired units and mines into reserve, while simultaneously building new capacity. The plan provided for the development of eight solar parks, one small hydropower plant and two gas-fired units, with a total of around 2,060 MW of new capacity, including 1,325 MW from gas, 735 MW from solar power plants and 9.9 MW from hydropower. At the same time, the restructuring also included a reorganisation of operations, workforce reallocation, and investments aimed at meeting stricter environmental standards and carbon dioxide emission costs.

In other words, the goal was for CE Oltenia to evolve from a company almost entirely reliant on lignite into an energy system with a significantly lower share of coal and a greater reliance on gas and renewable sources. It was on that basis that the Commission concluded in 2022 that the restructuring could be compatible with EU state aid rules.

Current situation

The new investigation was opened after Romania notified an amended plan in December 2025, requesting that the total aid be increased to EUR 2.86 billion, while the deadline for completing the restructuring would be extended by a further three years, until the end of 2029. The reason given was delays in implementing replacement projects, primarily the new gas-fired and solar capacity that is expected to take over part of the role currently played by lignite-based facilities.

The European Commission is now assessing whether the extension of the restructuring period is justified and whether the amended plan can still ensure the company’s long-term viability.

Energy portal

Applications Open for State Subsidies for the Purchase of Electric Vehicles

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (CHUTTERSNAP)

Electronic applications have opened for subsidized purchases of new exclusively electric vehicles, with requests now submitted via the Portal eUprava. A key novelty is that the entire procedure—from application and document submission to receipt of the official decision in the eMailbox—is carried out exclusively online, without visiting service counters.

For this measure, RSD 170 million has again been allocated this year, while the deadline for submitting applications is September 30, 2026, or until the funds are exhausted. State support for the purchase of electric vehicles amounts to up to 5.000 euros. The Ministry of Environmental Protection notes that if the funds are spent before the deadline, it will seek to secure additional resources, as was done last year.

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The Minister of Environmental Protection, Sara Pavkov, stated that the new procedure has been maximally simplified and that electronic applications should enable faster processing of requests, as well as easier access to subsidies for both citizens and businesses. She added that interest in this measure exceeded expectations last year, and that digitalization could further encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly vehicles this year.

That interest exists even before the end of the first day of applications is evidenced by the fact that a large number of requests from individuals and legal entities were submitted as early as midnight. Competent institutions assess that the new procedure could speed up the allocation of subsidies and further support the wider adoption of electric vehicles in Serbia.

Energetski portal

Bulgaria in the Final Phase of Construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

The construction of the section of the Vertical Gas Corridor located on the territory of Bulgaria has entered its final phase of implementation. As announced on the official website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, two projects within this initiative are scheduled to be put into operation by the end of 2026. The initiative connects gas infrastructure along the south–north axis and opens up opportunities for the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to regional markets.

These projects will enable the transmission of LNG, including supplies from the United States, via Greece to Ukraine and countries of Central and Eastern Europe, further strengthening the diversification of supply sources and regional energy security.

Speaking at a ministerial meeting held in Washington, Bulgarian Minister of Energy Traycho Traykov stated that Bulgaria is the first country to have launched concrete construction works on the Vertical Gas Corridor, positioning itself as one of the key drivers of regional initiatives aimed at strengthening energy security.

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As part of the project, activities are currently underway to increase capacity at key interconnection points, including Kulata/Sidirokastro on the border with Greece and Negru Voda/Kardam on the border with Romania. The Vertical Gas Corridor functions as an energy “highway” running from south to north, enabling the transport of up to 10 billion cubic meters of LNG annually to Ukraine and the wider region via the Negru Voda 1/Kardam interconnection point.

In the meantime, Bulgaria has applied for partial grant funding from the European Union’s Modernisation Fund. If approved, the funds would allow for the establishment of a competitive tariff structure, benefiting both domestic and regional users of the gas transmission network.

Additionally, during the course of next year, the commissioning of interconnector points near Stara Zagora and Komotini in Greece is planned, with increased capacity. Beyond their strategic role in diversifying supply sources, these projects are expected to provide greater flexibility in managing natural gas deliveries and facilitate easier access to new markets, according to the statement from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy.

Energy Portal

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