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Serbia Energy Sector at glance


Energy sector at glance

- Serbia has produced in 2003 a total of 30 108 GWh of electricity
- Most of the electricity is produced by the thermal power plants. In 2003 thermal plants account for 72.7% of the overall electricity production in Serbia. Hydro-plants produce the remaining 27.3% of the electricity.
- A new law was passed in July ensuring more competitive energy sector primarily aimed towards better overall satisfaction of end users.
- Energy Agency will act as an independent regulatory authority ensuring healthy development and implementation of national energy development strategy.
- Households account for 58.84% of electricity consumption in Serbia.

Possibilities for development

Serbia is experiencing slight changes in the energy consumption. It has become evident, as the consumption of electricity in winter is slightly lower, whereas in the summer consumption increases. This can be explained by more efficient heating and increased use of cooling equipment. Serbia still has not maximally utilized the renewable energy sources even though more than a quarter of the energy comes from hydro-plants. In particular smaller communities could benefit from small-scale micro-hydro-plants or wind powered plants. Over time, it can be expected that role of gas powered plants will increase. This is primarily because of availability of gas from Russia, with whom Serbia has a free trade agreement.

Production

Based on commercial contracts 1 667 GWh of electric power was imported, what is by 46 per cent less than in the previous year. For the first time after 11 years, we signed a contract for commercial exports of 394 GWh. The power generation in electric power plants of Serbia and hydro power plant Piva was 34 192 GWh. The power generation of power generating facilities of EPS was 33 436 GWh, and if the share of thermal power plants from Kosmet is excluded, (Kosovo A and Kosovo B ), the output was 30 108 GWh.
Thermal power plants and thermal power-heating plants of EPS generated 24 318 GWh and achieved the greatest share (72.7%) in the total achieved annual power generation of EPS. The hydro power plants of EPS generated 9 118 GWh, which has been, due to extreme drought, the lowest annual power generation, and therefore the lowest share (only 27.3%) in the total power generation of EPS within the last ten years.

Although a record power generation was achieved, as it had been increasing for four years repeatedly, it was still insufficient to meet the consumers' needs. Actually, the gross consumption was 34 340 GWh of electric power. The public companies for distribution received 31 951 GWh and 1 160 GWh was supplied to direct consumers. The share of households in the total consumption was 58.84%. The maximum monthly consumption was realized in January (3 741 GWh), and the lowest in June (2 196 GWh). A peak hourly load of 6 564 MW, was marked at 6 p.m. on 13 January. Compared with the previous year, electricity consumption for heating of premises during the winter months was reduced, but, on the other hand, it was increased for cooling purposes during the summer period.

Key benefits


Exceptional cost efficiency – low labor and utility costs, combined with the lowest corporate tax rates in Central and Eastern Europe and increasing productivity to underpin profitability.
High intellectual capital – Technologically advanced, well educated and highly cost competitive labor force available.
Linguistic skills – The best command of the English language in Central and Eastern Europe by a very wide margin, according to a survey by Gallup International.
Strong tradition in energy business – companies from Serbia, in particular those private are predominantly export oriented and represent real partners when it comes to exporting. Adding this to numerous free trade agreements, Serbia becomes an attractive location for outsourcing and that demands performance on competitive market.