Serbia adopts national energy, climate plan to boost renewable energy

BELGRADE, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Serbian government adopted the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan Thursday, a strategic framework designed to guide the country's energy transition up to 2030, with projections extending to 2050.

According to a press release, the plan sets ambitious goals for increasing energy security, enhancing environmental protection, and integrating more renewable energy sources.

Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, minister of mining and energy, said that the plan prioritizes significant investments in renewable energy, aiming to add approximately 3.5 gigawatts of new solar and wind power capacity by 2030. This will ensure that nearly half of Serbia's electricity is generated from clean sources, significantly reducing the country's carbon footprint.

In addition to renewable energy expansion, the country plans intensive investments aimed at improving energy efficiency across various sectors. This includes modernizing infrastructure and adopting new technologies to reduce energy consumption.

Moreover, the plan focuses on greater use of renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on conventional energy sources. The plan also envisions a gradual shift towards electric vehicles and support for infrastructure aimed at reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

Djedovic Handanovic said that through a combination of these measures and a broader shift towards a sustainable energy system, the country aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40.3 percent from 1990 levels.

She emphasized that the adoption of this plan demonstrates Serbia's readiness to enhance its energy security and independence while meeting international climate commitments. Moreover, the plan aligns with the European Union's decarbonization goals and is designed to integrate Serbia's electricity market with the EU's single market.