First solar megawatts arrive from Kostolac
EPS, Serbia’s state-owned power utility, has launched the trial operation of the 10-megawatt Petka solar power plant, located in the Serbian town of Kostolac on the site of a former mining overburden dump.
“This is a milestone in the energy transition of Elektroprivreda Srbije and a good example of how old energy sites can be repurposed for new energy,” said Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy, adding that there are no small or large projects, as every megawatt matters when it comes to Serbia’s energy security.
In this mining region, turbines of EPS’s first wind farm are also rising alongside the solar plant. These are likewise being built on partially reclaimed overburden sites, and are expected to be connected to the grid and enter testing in August. The Kostolac complex will thus contribute 76 megawatts of green energy, supporting Serbia’s strategic goal of increasing the share of renewables to 45 per cent by 2030.
Significantly transforming Serbia’s electricity system
“We still have a lot to do and must make maximum efforts, as we are facing strategic projects that will significantly transform Serbia’s electricity system. Chief among them are the construction of the Bistrica reversible hydroelectric power plant and the one-gigawatt (GW) solar power project with battery storage. Necessary investments in the energy sector over the next 10 years are estimated at around 14 billion euros. Therefore, we must make up for all delays and rise to the challenge to ensure energy security for future generations,” the minister said.
“Our first solar plant here in Kostolac has a capacity of 10 megawatts,” said Dušan Živković, General Director of EPS. Together with the upcoming wind farm and the 350-megawatt (MW) B3 unit of the Kostolac thermal power plant, which was commissioned at the end of last year, this region now has 426 megawatts of additional energy capacity. This is a significant increase and provides vital security, especially in times of global crisis.”
He emphasised that every new megawatt is important for EPS and the electricity system, particularly during hot summer days when demand for electricity peaks.
Similar projects are planned not only in Kostolac but also at other former industrial sites operated by EPS.
Original source: CEENERGYNEWS
