BELGRADE (Serbia), July 28 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s ministry of mining and energy unveiled the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP) for the period through 2030, with climate neutrality seen in 2050, setting the stage for the country to incorporate more renewables, hydrogen and storage capacity and diversify its supply of power and gas.
Under the INECP, Serbia should add 1,540 MW of new solar farms, 3,510 MW of wind power capacity, and two new pumped storage hydroelectric plants, the ministry said in a presentation of the plan on Wednesday.
The identified urgent investments in Serbia’s energy sector, which has been underinvested for decades, are worth an estimated over 35 billion euro ($35.6billion), the ministry said.
Other targets include generating 49.1% of electricity from renewables in 2030, raising the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption to 41%, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40.3% compared to 1990, and increasing the share of renewables in heating, cooling and transport.
At present, Serbia produces around 69% of its electricity from thermal power plants, having 4,400 MW of coal-fired capacity. Wind and solar power capacity account for 398 MW and 11 MW, respectively.
Under the INECP, Serbia should also introduce and use hydrogen, and add new gas interconnections with the neighbouring counties.
The hydrogen strategy is currently in preparation, while the INECP is expected to be adopted by the end of 2022.
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