Home Blog

ECA Warns: EU at Risk Due to Shortage of Critical Raw Materials for the Green Transition

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Dion Beetson)

The European Union is facing serious difficulties in securing the critical raw materials needed to achieve its energy and climate goals – this is the main conclusion of the latest report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). According to the auditors, the EU’s measures to diversify imports have not yet produced tangible results, domestic production faces numerous bottlenecks, and recycling capacities are far below the required levels. As a result, many EU-supported projects risk not being completed on time.

The transition to renewable energy requires enormous amounts of equipment – from batteries and wind turbines to solar panels – all of which rely on key materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements. However, most of these materials come from only a handful of non-EU countries, primarily China, Turkey, and Chile, which makes the Union highly vulnerable.

To reduce its dependence, the EU adopted the Critical Raw Materials Act in 2024, defining 26 minerals essential for the energy transition. However, according to the ECA, the act sets only non-binding targets, and it remains unclear how the levels to be achieved by 2030 were actually determined.

“Without critical raw materials, there will be no energy transition, no competitiveness, and no strategic autonomy. Unfortunately, we depend on just a few non-EU countries. The EU must accelerate its efforts to reduce this vulnerability,” warned Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, the Court member responsible for the audit.

More:

Although the EU is trying to diversify its raw material supply, results remain limited. Over the past five years, 14 strategic partnerships in the field of raw materials have been concluded, yet imports from these partner countries have actually decreased for about half of the analyzed materials. Some key negotiations – such as the agreement with the United States – were halted in 2024, while several major agreements are still awaiting ratification.

Domestic production slow and insufficient

The EU aims to meet 10% of its raw material needs from domestic mines by 2030 and to process 40% within the Union. However, exploration of potential deposits is slow, and the development of mining projects can take up to 20 years. At the same time, existing processing facilities are shutting down due to high energy prices, further undermining industrial competitiveness.

The auditors warn of a vicious circle: the lack of available raw materials makes it difficult to launch projects, reducing incentives to increase domestic production – and the cycle continues.

The current EU list includes 34 critical raw materials, 26 of which are essential for renewable energy technologies, while 17 are classified as strategic materials. As the EU has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, ensuring stable access to these raw materials will be crucial.

Energy portal

Solar Recycling Container – An Innovation From Banja Luka

Photo: Center for Mechatronics and Technical Sciences

Plastic waste has become one of the greatest environmental challenges of the modern era. Enormous quantities of plastic end up in landfills, where it takes hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into soil and water, threatening wildlife, and entering the human food chain in the form of microplastics. Developed countries devote significant attention to this issue and operate modern sorting and recycling centers, enabling the majority of waste to be reused.

That the region can also serve as a role model in this field is demonstrated by an innovation from Banja Luka, where a solar-powered recycling container has been designed and developed within the Center for Mechatronics and Technical Sciences.

Photo: Center for Mechatronics and Technical Sciences

The innovation, named Green Bin, has already traveled across the region. At the international Balkan Green Ideas competition held in Ohrid in November, it won first place for Bosnia and Herzegovina and was selected as one of the four best ideas among six Western Balkan countries. It was also presented at the threeday startup camp CampUP 2025 in Banja Luka, where it likewise won first place. The project is expected to be presented at the Innovation Competition Serbia, and results are also awaited from the Regional Butterfly Innovation Award competition.

Marko Glišić, a mechatronics student at the University of Banja Luka and President of the Center for Mechatronics and Technical Sciences, told Energy Portal Magazine that the prototype of this container has been under development for around six months.

“My mother, who works as a project manager, suggested launching a youth-oriented initiative in front of the Center for Mechatronics and Technical Sciences, implemented by the KULT Institute in cooperation with the EU, to highlight the growing problem of plastic waste and offer a practical solution. My father, an electrical power engineer by profession, proposed a recycling container that would shred plastic bottles on-site, thereby significantly reducing waste volume and logistics costs.

Through further development of the idea, the recycling container was equipped with a solar panel, making it independent of existing infrastructure and providing an environmentally friendly way to power the shredding mechanism, as it uses renewable energy sources,” Glišić explains.

IN FOCUS:

How Green Bin Operates

The container structure is made of steel tubes measuring 40 × 40 mm and 20 × 20 mm, clad in composite aluminum panels. The lower section also serves as the waste discharge opening and as a chamber for injecting argon gas.

The lid also functions as a mounting structure for the solar panels and can be rotated to ensure optimal solar energy capture.

Emptying is carried out either by lifting the container using the lifting hook or via side bars, in the same way as a conventional waste container. The shredding mechanism and the battery for electrical energy storage are mounted and securely fixed inside the structure.

Green Bin operates fully autonomously thanks to its solar power supply.

– Users insert plastic bottles, which are then shredded, reducing the volume of waste several times over. This decreases the frequency of waste collection and lowers the operating costs for municipal utility companies, while the collected material can be further processed for recycling. Unpleasant odors from residual liquids in the bottles would be neutralized by injecting argon gas into the waste chamber. As argon is heavier than oxygen, it would inhibit further processes within the bottle contents, while unpleasant odors would remain trapped inside the argon-filled chamber. When inserting bottles into the shredding opening, users would not experience any unpleasant smells, explains Glišić.

In addition to reducing the costs associated with bulky plastic waste, the use of such containers promotes the circular economy and encourages compliance with European environmental protection and sustainable development standards.

Presentation

The Green Bin project was first recognized and supported by the Institute for Youth KULT from Sarajevo. Through this initiative, cooperation was established with the Secondary Technical School in Banja Luka, which expressed interest and provided space for installing the recycling container, planned for the end of December.

This invention is currently in the patenting process, with plans to expand the concept in the near future to address wastepaper, glass, and metal. Glišić expects that promoting the project at fairs and competitions will also attract potential investors.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

Has NASA just discovered an ice-cold “Earth”?

Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Keith Miller (Caltech/IPAC)

NASA has just added another entry to the long list of potentially “Earth-like” worlds. HD 137010 b is the name of a rocky planet, only slightly larger than Earth, orbiting a Sun-like star about 146 light-years away. Its year lasts roughly as long as ours, and its orbit lies near the outer edge of its star’s so-called habitable zone—meaning that, at least in theory, liquid water could exist there.

By current estimates, HD 137010 b receives less energy from its star than Earth gets from the Sun, and its host star—while broadly similar to our Sun—is cooler and dimmer. The result? The planet’s estimated surface temperature could be around −68°C, colder even than Mars.

So are we being overly romantic when we talk about a “second Earth”?

Here’s where the story gets most interesting: scientists suggest that this planet, despite its icy conditions, may not be a lost cause. If it had a denser atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, a greenhouse effect could significantly raise temperatures. In that scenario, HD 137010 b could even have a temperate climate—or represent some form of water world.

The models used by the authors give it about a 40 percent chance of falling within the “conservative” habitable zone, and a 51 percent chance of landing in the broader, “optimistic” zone. In other words, its odds are close to fifty-fifty—and in astronomy, that is far from insignificant.

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Adam Miller)

What adds another layer of fascination is how the planet was detected. The entire finding is based on just a single transit—the moment the planet passed in front of its star and cast a tiny shadow recorded by the Kepler telescope during its K2 mission.

Kepler’s mission, which officially ended in 2018, observed more than 500,000 stars over its lifetime, patiently registering the moments when planets crossed in front of them. During such transits, a planet blocks a minuscule fraction of starlight, seen from Earth as a nearly imperceptible dip in brightness. That subtle change allows astronomers to identify a planet’s presence and estimate its size and orbital characteristics.

From a single transit of HD 137010 b, researchers were able to infer its orbital period, planetary size, and distance from its star. Impressive—but also frustrating. Scientists note that capturing more transits will be difficult: because the planet’s orbital distance is so similar to Earth’s, these events occur much less frequently than for planets in tighter orbits. This is also the main reason why exoplanets with Earth-like orbital periods are so hard to detect in the first place.

And as we wait for new data on this cold planet—and for a new generation of space telescopes that can deliver sharper insights—it may be the right moment to rethink what we mean by “Earth-like” worlds.

HD 137010 b does not fit neatly into our favorite narratives of blue planets, mild temperatures, and familiar life. Instead, it reminds us that similarity to Earth is not a matter of comfort, but of physics, chemistry, and long cosmic trade-offs.

If life exists somewhere else, it may well be evolving at the edges of what we are willing to consider acceptable—in conditions we would call extreme, yet which may be entirely rational in a cosmic context.

Milena Maglovski

300 GW Offshore Wind Power Agreed by 2050 at North Sea Summit

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

At the North Sea Summit held yesterday in Hamburg, leaders and energy ministers from the North Sea region reached an agreement on strong and coordinated cooperation to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy, enhance energy security, and reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. According to a statement by the European Commission, the focus is on stable, secure, and affordable energy, as well as the development of hydrogen, aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry globally.

A series of declarations were signed in Hamburg outlining specific measures and timelines to reduce investment risks for cross-border electricity network connections, as well as to enhance the resilience of the energy system against physical, cyber, and hybrid threats.

The central document of the summit is the Joint Offshore Wind Investment Pact for the North Sea, signed by representatives of the governments of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom, together with the wind energy industry and transmission system operators (TSOs) for electricity and hydrogen networks.

The Pact emphasizes the vision of the North Sea as “Europe’s green power plant” and reaffirms the collective determination to harness its enormous offshore wind energy potential.

The Pact sets out that Europe should reach 300 GW of installed offshore wind capacity in the North Sea by 2050. EU member states participating in the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), together with the United Kingdom, aim to develop up to 100 GW of capacity through joint cross-border projects, which would deliver the greatest benefits in terms of reducing system costs.

More:

Key Commitments Include:

  • Establishing an Offshore Financing Framework (OFF), building on existing instruments such as the TEN-E framework and Projects of Common Interest;
  • Implementing the first joint projects totaling 20 GW in the 2030s, in line with cooperation plans of transmission system operators and investors;
  • Improving national regulatory frameworks to enhance investor confidence, including cross-border liability, grid connection, and balancing schemes;
  • Developing suitable market arrangements for hybrid offshore projects;
  • Fairer allocation of tenders for offshore wind between 2031–2040, with the goal of installing up to 15 GW per year at the European level.

    Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Representing the European Commission at the summit, Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen emphasized that Europe, in turbulent geopolitical times, must choose energy independence through investment in clean, secure, and domestic energy.

“Hardly anything is greater than the North Sea and its enormous offshore wind potential. This means strengthening our interconnections so that affordable energy can flow freely across our continent. And it means securing our industrial leadership while guaranteeing our safety,” Jørgensen said.

Leaders also committed to close coordination on planning, cost-sharing, and financing of cross-border projects, as well as ensuring quality jobs, skills development, and targeted research and innovation activities.

Energy portal

Rome to Get a Modern Waste Management System

Foto: Roma Capitale

With the construction of a complex of facilities known as the Circular Resources Park, along with two organic waste treatment plants and two paper and plastic recycling facilities, Rome will gain a new integrated waste management system.

According to a statement by the City of Rome, this project will enable the Italian capital to independently close the entire waste management cycle, improve waste collection services, and significantly reduce the need to transport waste outside the city. This will result in a more stable system, faster waste processing, and substantial financial savings for both the city administration and residents.

The project is particularly important for strengthening recycling and reducing reliance on landfills and waste treatment facilities in other European cities—an issue that has long been one of the biggest challenges in Rome’s waste management system.

More:

Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, stated that the project represents a turning point for the city.

“Rome is finally gaining the ability to manage its own waste independently. The new system will bring more efficient services, higher rates of separate waste collection, and long-term savings, while meeting high environmental standards,” Gualtieri said.

The implementation of the Circular Resources Park is considered one of the key infrastructure projects for Rome’s sustainable development in the coming years.

Energy portal

A Practical Guide for Local Governments: Supporting the Formation of Energy Communities

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (federico-beccari)
Photo: Courtesy of Marko Nedeljković

The concept of energy communities is becoming increasingly prominent in discussions about a just energy transition—one that aims to include all segments of society. However, for a large portion of Serbia’s population, such concepts remain unfamiliar or are perceived as abstract. To build trust and ensure broader acceptance, it is essential to bring this concept closer to citizens in a way that clearly demonstrates that they themselves can be active participants in the transition process.

Marko Nedeljković, Project Manager at the Energy Transition Platform, spoke to our magazine about what energy communities actually are, why they matter, and how they can be developed in Serbia. We also placed special focus on the new Guide for Local Governments, designed as a practical tool for cities and municipalities that wish to support the development of citizen-led energy initiatives.

Q: Could you explain the concept of energy communities, why they are important, and how they can contribute to a sustainable and just energy transition in Serbia?

A: When we talk about energy communities, it is important to view them first as a social phenomenon, and only then as a technical one. They represent a form of collective action in which citizens and other local stakeholders come together around a shared energy project—one that is close to them not only in a geographical sense, but also in a symbolic one. What truly distinguishes energy communities is the transformation of citizens’ roles, from passive consumers who merely pay energy bills to active participants who jointly plan, make decisions, and share the benefits of energy projects within their community.

In this sense, energy communities also contribute to the democratization and decentralization of energy. This is reflected in the opportunity for citizens to participate in energy-related decisions previously reserved for large actors and centralized, closed processes, as some of these capacities and responsibilities are transferred to the local level. This creates space for the benefits of renewable energy sources to no longer remain solely on the balance sheets of large companies, but to be distributed among citizens and retained within the local community.

Beyond the economic and environmental benefits—which are perhaps the most evident—energy communities generate substantial social value. They bring people together around a common goal, strengthen trust within the community, and foster a culture of cooperation. Through joint planning and project management, citizens develop new knowledge and skills, local institutions learn to communicate and plan more openly, and the private and civil sectors discover new models of partnership. In this way, energy communities become platforms for learning, innovation, and greater citizen participation in decision-making, which is a key prerequisite for ensuring that Serbia’s energy transition is socially just and sustainable in the long term.

IN FOCUS:

Q: How did the idea for this guide come about, and what is its core message? What challenges did you face while preparing the guide, and why did you decide to structure it in this way?

A: The idea for the guide emerged from the need for citizens at the local level to have allies in the energy transition. The first allies are neighbors and fellow citizens, while the second—equally important—are local self-government units, which have the competences and resources to initiate and support citizen energy projects, but often lack a clear understanding of where to start and what role they can assume.

As the Energy Transition Platform, we worked with citizens on concrete projects and listened closely to their expectations and needs. Three meetings were particularly important—in Vranje, Pirot, and the Medijana municipality of Niš—where we brought together the perspectives of citizens and local authorities and discussed how each bears a share of responsibility for a just transition at the local level. Based on these discussions, it became clear that local governments do not need yet another theoretical document, but rather a practical tool.

The main challenge was to reconcile the diverse needs of cities and municipalities and to translate European experiences into our domestic legal and institutional framework. That is why the guide is structured as a portfolio of 22 support models, grouped into seven thematic areas and four roles of local self-government units. The core message is that there is no single universal solution, but rather a set of roles and steps that each local authority can adapt to its own capacities and ambitions.

Q: The Guide defines four roles of local self-government units (LSGUs): policymaker, promoter and educator, facilitator and coordinator, and partner and financial supporter. Could you explain the specific benefits each of these roles brings, and in which situations or for which types of local authorities certain roles might be the most suitable?

A: Although the Guide defines four roles of local self-government units, the key point is not which role delivers the greatest benefits, but rather that a city or municipality understands which role it is assuming at any given moment—and that this is clear both to citizens and to partners. Local self-government units are the level of governance closest to citizens, which is precisely why it is important for them to be able to “switch hats” depending on the project phase and the community’s needs.

Larger cities with more developed administrative capacities can more easily combine all four roles simultaneously. Smaller municipalities often begin with the roles of promoter and facilitator, gradually introducing the roles of partner and financial supporter as their capacities grow. The most important thing is for each local authority to clearly distinguish these functions within its administration, to set equal conditions for all initiatives, and to remain consistent. When this is the case, each role can be fully realized, and in this way, local authorities are also best positioned to build their long-term capacities for future projects.

Interview by Katarina Vuinac

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

Sponge Cities – The Future of Urban Life in a World of Extreme Change

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik) AI generation

How often throughout the year do you notice sudden weather changes in the city where you live—or in more urban places you visit—that clearly affect your mood? At times, it seems as though we don’t even know what we want: when it rains, we long for sunshine; when it’s hot, we dream of shade.

Yet, if we look more closely at weather patterns, it becomes clear that the problem lies not only in our desires. Climate change is bringing something we are struggling to adapt to—sudden and intense shifts in weather. Moderate transitions are becoming shorter and rarer: periods of extremely high temperatures and drought are quickly followed by heavy downpours, which sometimes cause floods, and at other times evaporate rapidly, leaving behind heavy, humid air.

Our emotional response to the weather has become a reflection of these changes—uncertain, changeable, and at times frustrating. And it is precisely here, between rain and sunshine, that the story begins of how cities can learn to become sponge-like.

Although my first association—half jokingly—was Bikini Bottom, the city where SpongeBob lives, this is in fact a very real concept that originates from China. It was first proposed in 2013 by Professor Kongjian Yu of Peking University. His idea was simple yet powerful: cities do not have to fight nature—they can cooperate with it. A sponge city, as he explained, absorbs and retains excess water from rainfall, storms, or floods within its green spaces—essentially functioning like a giant sponge.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik) AI generation

Such urban environments include a high proportion of trees, parks, lakes, and green areas. However, nature alone is not enough, as many urban surfaces are covered by sidewalks, roads, and buildings. That is why green spaces are combined with smart infrastructural solutions: permeable pavements and streets that allow rainwater to pass through, green roofs that absorb water, and specially designed retention lakes—artificial or natural—that collect excess water during heavy rainfall.

Sponge cities are not designed solely to manage floods. They function like urban reservoirs: excess rainwater is absorbed, stored, and released when needed. In this way, collected water can be used for irrigation or other urban needs during dry periods, reducing pressure on municipal water systems and drinking water supplies.

The first cities to seriously implement this concept are located in China, where the risk of flooding is particularly high. According to data from 2018, as many as 98 percent of large and medium-sized cities in the country are affected by flooding. Shanghai is one of the pioneers in applying the sponge city concept, and the Chinese government has selected 30 pilot cities to test this ambitious program.

As the world continues to face increasingly extreme weather events, the Chinese example shows that sponge cities can become a key element of sustainable urban planning.

Katarina Vuinac

Germany Introduces a New Incentive Program for Electric Vehicles

Photo-illustration: Unsplash/Michael Fousert

The German federal government has presented a new incentive program for electric vehicles (EVs), which entered into force on January 1, 2026, with the aim of re-stimulating the transition to climate-friendly mobility while simultaneously supporting households with low and middle incomes.

The program follows the abolition of national subsidies for EV purchases at the end of 2024, which led to a decline in sales throughout 2024 and early 2025.

Germany has allocated around 3 billion euros for the implementation of the program, which is expected to support the purchase or leasing of approximately 800,000 vehicles by 2029. Although the program has formally begun, applications will be accepted starting in May 2026 via a dedicated online portal, and incentives will be applied retroactively to vehicles first registered from January 1, 2026.

Eligibility for subsidies applies to private households with a taxable annual income of up to 80,000 euros, with the threshold increased by 5,000 euros per child, up to a maximum of 90,000 euros for households with two children. The program covers both the purchase and leasing of new vehicles, provided that the vehicle remains registered in the beneficiary’s name for at least 36 months after first registration.

More:

The base subsidy for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) amounts to 3,000 euros, while households with lower incomes and children may receive support of up to 6,000 euros. The program also includes plug-in hybrids and vehicles with range extenders (EREVs), provided they meet prescribed CO₂ emission and electric-range criteria, with maximum subsidies of up to 4,500 euros.

The German government emphasizes that the new program is part of a broader climate and industrial policy, aimed at reducing the initial costs of switching to electric vehicles, encouraging citizen participation in the energy transition, and strengthening the domestic automotive industry. The program is complemented by existing tax measures, including the extension of tax incentives for electric vehicles until 2035, as well as more favorable depreciation conditions for electric vehicle fleets in the corporate sector.

While the automotive industry has welcomed the return of incentives as an important signal for market stabilization and demand growth, some environmental organizations have expressed concerns about the inclusion of plug-in hybrids, pointing to their limited contribution to emission reductions under real-world driving conditions.

With this new, socially inclusive incentive model, Germany expects a renewed increase in the adoption of electric vehicles from 2026 onward. The relevant authorities have announced continuous monitoring of the program’s effects and consumer behavior, in order to adjust the policy as needed in the coming years.

Milena Maglovski

Key 2026 Leads The Global Energy Transition.

Photo: KEY-The Energy Transition Expo

The leading event in Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean basin on energy transition is held in Italy. From 4 to 6 March, KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, the event organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), will take place at Rimini Fiera, bringing together the global energy community, encouraging meetings and discussions between key players in the sector and dialogue with institutions, with the aim of creating a system and accelerating the path towards decarbonization objectives.

At KEY, companies and professionals can discover the latest innovations and technologies on the market to rationalise consumption, control energy costs and reduce the impact of their activities.

Revamped Configuration

For the 2026 edition, KEY has revamped its layout, strengthening its cross-cutting vision across multiple sectors involved in the energy transition, which makes it unique in the European exhibition landscape.

With seven themed areas dedicated to solar, wind, hydrogen, energy storage, energy efficiency, e-mobility and Sustainable City, the event will occupy almost all of the exhibition centre’s halls for the first time.

Big news: an entire pavilion in the solar energy area will be reserved for EPC Contractors (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) and finance, highlighting their increasingly strategic role in the construction of large renewable energy and utility-scale storage plants.

Among the vertical focuses, HYPE – Hydrogen Power Expo on hydrogen, organised by IEG together with Hannover Fairs International GmbH (HFI), the Italian subsidiary of Deutsche Messe AG, and Su.port – Sustainable Ports for Energy Transition within the wind power pavilions, have been confirmed.

The energy efficiency area has also been enhanced and revamped, as it is considered a cornerstone for enabling the transition in both the industrial and residential sectors.

Photo: KEY – The Energy Transition Expo

An International Event

KEY 2026 strengthens its international profile by continuing to focus on the African continent, particularly North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, without forgetting Turkey and Europe, and in particular key markets such as Germany, Spain, the UK, Poland, Serbia and, in general, the Balkan area. This vocation is also reflected in the rich programme of events and conferences, which this year will focus on the theme of finance in support of the energy transition and new innovative tools for controlling energy costs.

Innovation And Green Skills

As every year, KEY will give space to innovation by hosting innovative green start-ups and SMEs selected through a call for proposals within the Innovation District, an open innovation programme designed to connect young entrepreneurs with companies and investors. In addition, the Lorenzo Cagnoni Innovation Award will recognise seven KEY exhibitors who will present their most innovative projects, one for each product category at the event. Also at the Innovation District, the Green Jobs & Skills initiative will promote the matching of job supply and demand.

Energy portal

ABB Celebrates 50 Years of Variable Speed Drives – Technology, people, and vision shaping the energy future

Foto: ABB

This year, ABB marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of its first low-voltage variable speed drive (VSD), an invention that fundamentally changed the way industry uses electrical energy. Although it remains largely unnoticed by the general public, this device lies at the very foundation of modern industry—across water and wastewater management, food production, transportation, data centers, and renewable energy facilities. It helps systems operate more reliably and efficiently, with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

Back in the mid-1970s, Finnish engineer Martti Harmoinen developed a concept that would become an industry standard: enabling an induction motor to operate more efficiently, precisely, and reliably through electronic speed control. The first model, SAMI A, was installed in 1975 at a sawmill and at the Loviisa nuclear power plant in Finland, marking the beginning of a technological revolution. Over the following decades, ABB continuously refined this technology—from advances in power electronics and the introduction of IGBT transistors to process digitalization, automated testing, and the development of software functionalities that today form the backbone of modern variable-speed drives.

Today, variable speed drives are complex digital systems that integrate hardware, software, telemetry, and advanced analytics, enabling remote diagnostics, motor performance optimization, and predictive maintenance. Engineers who worked on their development several decades ago recall a time when tests were recorded manually, measurements were performed with analog instruments, and simulations were virtually nonexistent. Today’s generation of engineers operates in a completely different environment—modern processors, digital algorithms, and cloud services have transformed the drive into a key enabler of industrial energy efficiency.

Part of this story has also been shaped in Serbia. Jovan Miladinović, Service Sales Manager at ABB Belgrade, recalls his early career: “I joined ABB in 2002, and that was my first encounter with variable speed drives, as I did not have the opportunity to learn about them at university—unlike today’s generation of students, who are introduced to this type of equipment already during their studies. In my case, it was more challenging, as I had to relearn and adopt something entirely new.”

Jovan Miladinović / Foto: ABB

At the time he joined ABB, the ACS600 generation of drives was in use, and already the following year, the new ACS800 drives were introduced, quickly finding their place in large-scale projects within Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), particularly in Kolubara and Kostolac.

“One of the most significant projects at that time was the BTO system project in Kostolac, which we implemented together with Goša FOM. It was an extremely important project for us and paved the way for the later establishment of a service team here in Belgrade,” he explains.

At that time, variable-speed control represented a radical change for mining machinery: reliability was increased, equipment wear was reduced, and more efficient process control was enabled. Miladinović highlights two individuals who had a decisive influence on the development of the Serbian market: Miko Heikkilä, who enabled training programs and factory visits in Helsinki, and Pekka Tiitinen, who encouraged the establishment of a local service organization in Serbia. “Thanks to him, we received support for training our personnel and equipping the service center, which was of great importance for our customers,” Jovan says.

IN FOCUS:

A new generation of professionals also offers its perspective on the development of the technology. Stefan Pavlović, Application Sales Engineer, belongs to a generation that encountered ABB drives already during university studies. “My first encounter with variable speed drives was in my third year, when I started attending courses in Electric Drives. Already at university, I had hands-on experience with ABB drives through laboratory exercises, as well as the opportunity to attend lectures where variable speed drives were thoroughly covered.”

His message clearly reflects the evolution of the technology: “A variable speed drive is no longer just a device used to control motor speed. Drive technology has advanced significantly, especially in software. Today, a drive can automate an entire machine without the use of a PLC, or a service center on another continent can resolve an issue remotely.”

He also points to the environmental aspect: “It is estimated that less than a quarter of electric motors are paired with drives, which means there is enormous potential for energy savings through the wider application of this technology.”

Stefan concludes that the common thread throughout all 50 years has remained the same: continuous innovation, with ABB as its driving force.

Stefan Pavlovic / Foto: ABB

The environmental impact of variable speed drives today is greater than ever. Electric motors account for around 70 percent of industrial electricity consumption, so any improvement in their control results in significant energy savings and directly contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions. ABB’s analyses of more than 2,000 industrial motors show that switching to variable speed control delivers an average energy saving of 31 percent. At one of the world’s most renowned scientific institutions, CERN, an analysis of 800 motors identified a potential 17.4 percent reduction in energy consumption. These results confirm that variable-speed drives are not only a more efficient way to control motors—they are also among the most widespread and practical decarbonization technologies worldwide.

Today, as industries worldwide transition toward more sustainable business models, ABB continues to combine tradition and innovation, technology and people, local experience and global expertise. Variable speed drives are not merely equipment—they represent a technological legacy, an energy strategy, and a human story that has lasted for half a century. In line with ABB’s vision, the anniversary of variable-speed drives is best captured by the slogan Engineered to Outrun, as it is precisely the combination of reliable technology and human expertise that continues to push boundaries, exceed expectations, and enable the industry to be more efficient and sustainable than ever before.

ABB d.o.o. Beograd

stefan.pavlovic@rs.abb.com

www.abb.rs

50 years of LV drives | ABB

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

MT-KOMEX 2025: A Year of Technological Breakthroughs and Regional Expansion

Photo: Djordje Stojiljkovic

Numerous completed projects, technological breakthroughs, a substantial shift toward battery energy storage systems and tracker technologies, and expansion into regional markets marked 2025 as a turning point in the development of MT-KOMEX. Deputy Director Nikola Grubor speaks about the company’s achievements, key innovations, plans for 2026, and future trends in the solar industry.

Q: MT-KOMEX is certainly behind another successful year. Can we say that 2025 was the most successful year so far?

Photo: MT-KOMEX

A: Without a doubt, this has been our most successful year to date—a year in which we delivered some of the most technologically complex solar projects, introduced new solutions, expanded our regional presence, and further confirmed our leading position in EPC services, prefabricated substations, and advanced solar technologies.

I would say that 2025 marks the year in which MT-KOMEX entered a new phase of development—from a strong domestic EPC partner to a company that is actively building and shaping the region’s energy transition.

Q: Which project or achievement would you highlight as the company’s most significant contribution to Serbia’s energy transition during 2025?

A: Throughout 2025, we implemented several projects that directly contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing the energy independence of the business sector. I would particularly highlight large-scale commercial solar power plants in the industrial sector, which today represent one of the key pillars of energy efficiency for domestic manufacturers.

Our prefabricated substations—such as the Huawei Jupiter 3000 model—also deliver significant added value, enabling faster grid connection and greater reliability of renewable energy facilities. These solutions substantially shorten project timelines and reduce the infrastructure burden for investors. The EPC approach MT-KOMEX has applied from the very beginning remains one of the key reasons investors recognize our company as a partner that delivers comprehensive, safe, and long-term, sustainable solutions.

IN FOCUS:

Q: When it comes to innovation, MT-KOMEX has traditionally been at the forefront of applying advanced solar technologies. What new solutions did the company introduce or implement in 2025?

A: Investing in innovation is a continuous process for us. This year, particular attention was drawn to the development and deployment of advanced inverters and optimizers, as well as the large-scale implementation of battery energy storage systems (BESS), which we introduced across all new projects. The integration of SCADA systems and remote monitoring platforms has become standard practice. At the same time, further improvements in prefabricated substations have further optimized the construction and grid connection process for solar power plants.

One of the most significant breakthroughs in 2025 was the start of construction of large-scale solar power plants equipped with single-axis tracker systems. We expect that by the end of next year, 50 MWp of such facilities will be completed and commissioned in Vojvodina.

Tracker systems deliver a range of benefits:

  • an increase in energy production of 15–25 percent compared to fixed-tilt structures,
  • more uniform power generation throughout the day,
  • better utilization of solar irradiation in flat terrain,
  • a lower LCOE over the entire lifecycle of the power plant.

For our clients, this means a faster return on investment, as well as higher energy output during periods of peak demand, when electricity prices on the market are at their highest.

Q: What are the key plans, projects, or investments that MT-KOMEX is planning for 2026?

A: In 2026, MT-KOMEX plans further growth through the construction of an even larger number of commercial solar power plants, the expansion of its BESS solutions portfolio, the strengthening of EPC and engineering teams, new investments in prefabricated solutions and energy infrastructure, as well as continued expansion into regional markets.

The coming year will be marked by intensive construction activity, new partnerships, and an even stronger position for the company in the energy sector of Southeast Europe. The solar industry is entering an accelerated phase of development in 2026. Commercial power plants, hybrid systems, battery capacities, and digitalization are becoming the norm. For MT-KOMEX, this represents both an opportunity and a responsibility—to continue introducing state-of-the-art solutions, to develop the market, and to build an energy future based on stability, efficiency, and sustainability.

Photo: MT-KOMEX

One of the key indicators of the company’s development is the fact that during 2025, we procured 100 MW of premium equipment, including:

  • Huawei prefabricated substations,
  • Huawei 300 kW inverters,
  • AIKO solar panels—currently among the best on the market in terms of efficiency and degradation rates,
  • complete mounting structures for solar power plants.

All of this equipment has been delivered, installed, and commissioned, or is currently under construction, enabling us to achieve the highest utilization rate of procured equipment in the company’s history.

Q: MT-KOMEX operates successfully across the region, particularly following the establishment of MT-KOMEX BH in 2023 in Banja Luka. What are the company’s further plans regarding expansion and strengthening its regional presence?

A: MT-KOMEX BH, established in 2023 in Banja Luka, proved in 2025 to be a strategic move that entirely delivered on expectations. Our team in Bosnia and Herzegovina is expanding. We are taking on large-scale solar projects in the Republic of Srpska and are actively analyzing entry into the Croatian and Montenegrin markets. The prefabricated energy solutions we develop position us as a trusted partner at the regional level as well.

Q: How do you see the outlook for the solar industry in Serbia over the coming year, and which key changes or market trends do you expect?

A: Electricity prices on the power exchange, along with the volatility that characterizes European markets, clearly indicate that projects incorporating tracker systems and BESS solutions will be of decisive importance in the coming years. Serbia is expected to adopt regulatory frameworks that will enable the ancillary services market and define the role of flexibility aggregators, which means that battery systems will become a key component of the energy mix for industrial consumers.

As our market becomes increasingly integrated with the European market, we also expect the emergence of negative electricity prices—a trend already commonplace in EU countries. These periods will be ideal for charging battery systems, while discharging will be most profitable during times of high demand.

For our clients, this delivers a dual value proposition: supply stability and additional revenue through market-based mechanisms.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

Talks on the acquisition of NIS under way, agreement expected by the end of the week

Foto: NIS

Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, said that talks are currently under way between the Russian shareholders of Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS), Hungary’s MOL, and other potential buyers, adding that a binding agreement on the purchase of NIS shares could be signed by the end of the week.

Following a meeting with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the minister stated that once agreement is reached on the key elements of the transaction, a request will be submitted to the US administration to extend NIS’s operating licence. She noted that Hungary has so far supported Serbia in these requests, with the aim of ensuring the company’s continued operations after January 23 and the successful completion of the ownership restructuring process, according to a statement published on the website of the Government of Serbia.

More:

Đedović Handanović also said that increasing Serbia’s ownership stake in NIS by around five percentage points is being considered, stressing that there is no intention to shut down the Pančevo oil refinery. She added that during nearly 100 days without crude oil supplies via the Adriatic Oil Pipeline, security of supply had been maintained, and that the Pančevo refinery is expected to continue operating now that deliveries via JANAF have resumed.

The meeting also addressed accelerating the drafting of an intergovernmental agreement between Serbia and Hungary, as well as joint energy projects, including the construction of the Serbia–Hungary oil pipeline, with works expected to begin in mid-year.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that negotiations between Gazprom Neft and MOL are under way and expressed strong support from the Hungarian government for a potential entry of MOL into NIS’s ownership structure, saying this would contribute to greater regional energy security.

Energy portal

New York on the brink of a law on fully electric buildings?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Anthony Delanoix)

It has long been known that buildings are among the largest polluters—not only globally, but also in the state of New York. According to currently available data, buildings are responsible for nearly 40 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in New York, making them one of the key sources of pollution in the state. Most of these emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels for space heating and domestic hot water, particularly in older residential and commercial buildings. That is precisely why I have been following with special interest the latest moves by this U.S. state, which has decided to make a serious shift toward a cleaner future.

This is one of the most ambitious climate strategies in the United States: the transition to fully electric new buildings, without the use of fossil fuels such as natural gas or propane.

This idea does not simply imply a different way of heating or cooking. It represents a complete transformation of how we build and use buildings—from installing electric heat pumps and water heaters to induction cooktops and electric ovens. In other words, energy from the socket is meant to replace energy from the pipeline.

All-Electric Buildings Act: the moment the idea became law

A real turning point came in 2023, when the New York State Legislature adopted the so-called All-Electric Buildings Act as part of the state budget. This regulation is the first of its kind in the United States and requires that no systems burning fossil fuels be installed in new buildings, as explained on the website Electrification in New York: Get the Facts.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (wirestock)

According to the law, starting December 31, 2025, all new buildings up to seven stories must be “all-electric,” without gas stoves, boilers, or heaters. For larger residential and commercial buildings, the rule would take effect on January 1, 2029. Exceptions are предусмотрed, primarily for hospitals, laboratories, industrial facilities, and emergency systems.

With this move, New York State aims not only to reduce emissions, but also to send a clear message that the energy transition in the building sector is possible and feasible, even in large and densely populated areas.

Preparations, resistance, and court battles

However, almost immediately after the law was adopted, it became clear that the path to its implementation would not be simple. Construction associations and representatives of the gas industry initiated legal challenges, arguing that a ban on fossil fuels in new buildings could conflict with federal laws and pose risks of higher construction costs and increased strain on the electricity grid.

In July 2025, a federal court in northern New York ruled that the state has the right to enforce this law, rejecting industry arguments that it should be overturned, as reported by the Earthjustice portal. For many, this moment seemed like final confirmation that the law would move forward.

Still, the battle did not end there. Due to additional appeals and political pressure, as well as concerns expressed by some contractors and a number of Democratic lawmakers, the state agreed to temporarily delay the start of the law’s implementation while awaiting a decision from the appellate court.

A divided public and open questions

This turn of events triggered strong reactions on both sides.

Supporters of the law argue that it is a crucial step toward reducing air pollution, improving public health, and delivering long-term savings for households. Opponents, on the other hand, warn that introducing such rules too early could increase construction costs and further burden the electricity grid, which may not yet be ready for such a surge in demand.

Tensions are clearly visible in the public debate: while some speak of a historic climate breakthrough, others warn of what they call irresponsible speed and additional costs.

Observing all these developments, it is clear to me that the law on fully electric buildings in New York is not just a local story. It is a test case for the entire energy transition in the building sector, closely watched by other U.S. states as well as countries around the world.

Regardless of temporary delays and legal obstacles, the fact remains that the idea has already entered the legislative framework and the public discourse. If New York succeeds in implementing this model in practice, it could send a powerful signal that fully electric buildings are not merely a climate vision, but a realistic future.

Milena Maglovski

Local Communities as the First Line of Defense for Nature and Climate

Photo: WWF

WWF Adria is one of the leading nature conservation organizations in the Western Balkans, dedicated to biodiversity protection, sustainable natural resource management, and strengthening community resilience to the impacts of climate change. Through science-based work, advocacy, and strong partnerships, WWF Adria addresses the most serious environmental challenges of our time—shaping public policies, strengthening civil society capacities, and developing innovative solutions that protect both people and nature.

One of the flagship initiatives in this field is the “Safe Nature and Climate” project, designed to address the growing threats to ecosystems, biodiversity, and local communities posed by climate change and unsustainable practices. The project focuses on strengthening institutional and local foundations for action in the areas of environmental protection and climate change across the region, with financial support from the European Union.

Supporting local environmental organizations lies at the very core of effective action on the ground. These organizations best understand the specific environmental and social contexts of their communities and therefore play a crucial role in driving change. Through targeted funding, knowledge exchange, and partnership programs, WWF Adria strengthens their participation in public policy development, monitoring of natural resources, and the implementation of solutions tailored to local needs.

Over the past four years, a total of 41 projects have been implemented, with overall investments in civil society amounting to €500,000. The results encompass a wide range of innovative and impactful activities—from the development of new regulatory frameworks, participatory monitoring, and local nature conservation and climate action initiatives, to educational programs, large-scale awareness-raising campaigns, and initiatives that have led to concrete legal changes at the local level.

Local initiatives from Paraćin, Užice, Novi Pazar, Pirot, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, and many other cities now benefit from renewed support for their activities, strengthening community resilience and fostering coexistence between people and nature.

IN FOCUS:

Through the “Safe Nature and Climate” project, WWF Adria has built a strong bridge between local initiatives and the broader regional and European policy framework. The results and experiences achieved so far were also presented at the third Environmental Policy Forum “Local Solutions for (Inter)national Policies,” held in November this year.

The Forum brought together representatives of civil society, policymakers, climate and nature conservation experts, and numerous representatives of international institutions and organizations. The central focus was clear—strengthening local capacities and identifying sustainable, inclusive solutions that connect local initiatives with national and regional environmental protection and climate resilience policies.

Hari Osting, Acting Director of the Conservation Program at WWF Adria, highlighted the importance of local organizations as key drivers of change, whose work directly contributes to improving policies, enhancing natural resource management, and strengthening community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The first panel, “Locally Led Biodiversity Conservation,” emphasized the irreplaceable role of local actors in nature protection and sustainable resource management. Initiatives were presented that aligned local policies with EU directives, developed models of sustainable forest management, used drones and modern technologies to monitor environmental conditions, and established networks of organizations managing freshwater protected areas and ecological corridors. Participants also pointed to challenges, such as the inertia of certain local authorities, which often hinder the implementation of changes in the interests of nature and citizens.

The panel “Raising Public Awareness and Engaging Local Communities” focused on communication, education, and citizen involvement. Campaigns reaching more than two million people were presented, along with the development of mobile applications for reporting environmental issues and educational programs targeting young people, women, minority groups, and other vulnerable populations. It was concluded that informed and empowered communities are the key to longterm change and to building a culture of care for nature.

Within the third panel, “Local Climate Action,” the focus was on concrete local responses to climate challenges—from developing local environmental protection plans and participatory models for managing climate risks to specific actions such as preventing the construction of small hydropower plants in sensitive areas. Models of sustainable agriculture and rural development aligned with the EU Rural Pact were also presented, along with studies on microplastics and initiatives linking climate change to human rights issues.

– Local organizations are the backbone of change—they understand community needs, identify risks on the ground, and develop solutions that are at the same time innovative, comprehensive, and inclusive, Osting emphasized, expressing his hope that the Forum will continue to serve for many years as a central meeting point for civil society organizations across Serbia.

Prepared by: Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

EPCG Takes Over Study on the Construction of Gas-Fired Power Plants in Montenegro

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) has officially taken over a feasibility study on the construction of gas-fired power plants in Montenegro, which has shown that electricity generation from liquefied petroleum gas is technically feasible and economically viable. As reported by Vijesti, the study analyzed the construction of facilities with capacities ranging from 50 to 400 megawatts at several potential locations—Bar, Podgorica, Pljevlja, and Nikšić.

EPCG told Vijesti that the further development of the project will primarily depend on securing a stable and long-term gas supply, as well as on decisions to be made in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Energy.

The feasibility study was prepared by the consulting firm SS&A Power Consultancy, and the estimated value of investments ranges between €233 million and €362 million, depending on the plant capacity and the gas supply model.

Following an open public tender and in accordance with the Tender Documentation dated December 30, 2021, SS&A Power Consultancy was selected by the Public Enterprise Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) to prepare a study on the development of technical solutions for the energy transition, as well as a preliminary feasibility study for gas-fired power plants combined with renewable energy sources.

At the end of December 2023, SS&A Power Consultancy announced that it would develop the study with the aim of putting EPCG on the path toward modernization of Montenegro’s power infrastructure, reducing CO₂ emissions, and achieving goals in line with EU standards and regulations on the decarbonization of electricity generation. In addition, the company stated that it would prepare a strategy for the operation of gas-fired thermal power plants, their integration with renewable energy sources, and define future solutions for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

“By preparing the study and selecting potential locations for gas-fired power plants with a projected total capacity of 400 MW, EPCG is working to find cleaner solutions, alongside planned strengthening of renewable energy capacities. The study is the first step and a necessary foundation for the realization of this plan,” said Milutin Đukanović, Chairman of the EPCG Board of Directors.

More:

JERA and the Government of Montenegro Sign Agreement on LNG Terminal and Gas Power Plant

As a reminder, the Government of Montenegro and the Japanese company JERA signed a memorandum at the Gastech 2025 fair in September 2025, envisaging the exploration of opportunities for the development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and a related gas-fired power facility in the country.

In line with the Memorandum, JERA and the Government will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study covering the technical, commercial, and financial aspects of the LNG terminal and gas-fired power plant, as well as laying the groundwork for potential future agreements on project implementation.

Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, emphasized that cooperation with JERA, as a renowned global player, provides Montenegro with access to knowledge and advanced technologies necessary for the further development of the energy sector.

JERA’s Chief Global Strategist, Steve Winn, stated that the company is ready to support Montenegro in achieving its strategic goals through its experience in delivering complex international energy projects.

Energy Portal

16th IRENA Assembly: 40 Innovations for More Resilient and Equitable Energy Systems

Photo-illustration: Freepik (pvproductions )

The Sixteenth Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was held in Abu Dhabi, marking the first major international energy gathering of 2026. The Assembly took place under the theme Mobilising Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity, with the aim of establishing a common agenda and key priorities for international cooperation, focused on shaping a better energy future around which the global community could unite throughout 2026.

According to IRENA, the Assembly brought together more than 1,000 ministers and senior officials from around 170 Member States, as well as company executives, investors, representatives of international organisations and youth leaders.

Special attention was given to topics related to the regional energy transition, including power grids, energy planning, digital innovation and artificial intelligence. Discussions also addressed how renewable energy can contribute to improving agri-food systems and advancing green industrialisation.

More:

During the Ministerial Dialogue on the role of artificial intelligence, the report  Innovation landscape for sustainable development powered by renewables was presented. The report shows that transformation occurs when technological innovations are combined with innovations in policy, regulation, market design, system operations and business models.

The report highlights 40 innovations, ranging from artificial intelligence and digital applications to solutions for grid modernisation through smarter planning and off-grid solutions. These innovations aim to enhance the resilience of energy systems, expand access to electricity, increase efficiency and enable sustainable local development.

To ensure that the 40 identified innovations are practical and readily accessible to policy makers, they are organised into four strategic toolkits, enabling context-specific solutions: grid modernisation, decentralised solutions, inclusive local development and expanded energy access.

The full report is available here.

Energy portal

123...419Page 1 of 419

Newsletter

Please enter a valid email address

Calendar of events

2026 January

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for 25 January
Events for 26 January
Events for 28 January
Events for 31 January
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for 1 February
No Events
Events for 2 February
No Events
Events for 3 February
Events for 4 February
No Events
Events for 5 February
No Events
Events for 6 February
Events for 7 February
No Events
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for 8 February
No Events
Events for 9 February
Events for 10 February
No Events
Events for 11 February
No Events
Events for 12 February
Events for 13 February
No Events
Events for 14 February
No Events
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for 15 February
Events for 16 February
No Events
Events for 17 February
No Events
Events for 18 February
Events for 19 February
No Events
Events for 20 February
No Events
Events for 21 February
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
Events for 22 February
No Events
Events for 23 February
No Events
Events for 24 February
Events for 25 February
No Events
Events for 26 February
Events for 27 February

WRITE US

Office: Bulevar oslobođenja 103/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Monday–Friday: 09–17h
Phone/Fax: +381 (11) 396 23 59 info@energetskiportal.rs marketing@energetskiportal.rs

©2024 www.energetskiportal.com