Djedovic highlighted our country's commitment to planning important projects in the energy sector that will soon be submitted to the Serbian government for discussion, whose focus will be the construction of new facilities for energy production and greater use of renewable energy sources (RES).
Drafting of strategic documents is in progress, with which we will define the goals in RES, energy efficiency and gas emissions by the end of the year and determine our path in the energy transition and decarbonisation, Djedovic said.
Djedovic pointed out that amendments to the Law on the Use of RES were adopted recently, which enable the introduction of new facilities for the production of energy from RES in a way that will not threaten the security of the power system.
According to her, the harmonisation of the legal framework with the regulations of the European Union continues within the framework of Cluster 4 - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity and the implementation of the necessary reforms that are part of the EU accession negotiations.
The Minister pointed out that with the support of the European Union, the construction of a gas interconnection between Nis and Dimitrovgrad is ongoing, which will enable Serbia to diversify its gas supply sources and provide additional gas capacities.
She thanked the European Union for its financial support in the construction of a new gas interconnection that will be completed in the fall and through which gas will be supplied from Azerbaijan, the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, as well as from the Middle East.
Also, in cooperation with the EU, documentation is being prepared for the construction of an interconnection with North Macedonia, which will enable additional capacities and gasification of southern Serbia.
Djedovic said that the European Union donated €165 million to increase the number of households that can receive discounts on electricity, heating and gas bills.
The Minister stated that more than 190,000 households can reduce their bills if they apply for the status of energy vulnerable customers, which is very important due to the energy crisis and rising energy costs.
Koopman highlighted the European Union's strong support for the diversification of gas supply sources, which has been a very important topic for the EU since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
He pointed to the importance of continuing to implement reforms and separation in the gas sector, as well as the EU's intention for the Western Balkans region to participate in the joint procurement of gas, and later green hydrogen, in order to reduce energy uncertainty, according to the statement of the Ministry of Mining and Energy.