Energy Policy
Energy Policy and Strategy
In 2014, a new Energy Act was adopted, making Serbia the first country in the Energy Community to adopt the Third Energy Package. The new law allowed for the full liberalisation of the electricity and gas retail markets as of January 1st 2015. The electricity and gas markets are therefore regulated by the Energy Act of 2014.
Looking at the longer term energy strategy, the Serbian Energy Development Strategy until 2025 (with forecasts up to 2030) was adopted by the parliament in December 2015. The new strategy envisages increasing electricity production from renewables and energy efficiency as well as reducing greenhouse gas emmisions.
The main goals of the this strategy are:
- the share of lignite in primary energy consumption decreases but remains dominant, from 49 % in 2015 to 40 % in 2030.
- the share of oil should decline from 26 % in 2015 to 23 % in 2030, while gas and biomass increase from 12 % to 16 % and 7 % to 13 %, respectively.
- the share of hydropower and renewables are seen increasing from 6 % to 8 %.
- final energy consumption should range between 10-11 Mtoe in 2020 and 11-12.5 Mtoe in 2030 (depending on the implementation of efficiency measures).
A strategy named "The Program for the Implementation of the Energy Development Strategy of Serbia" covering the period 2017-2023 was introduced in May 2017. According to this strategy, Serbia plans to shut down eight thermal power plant blocks by 2023 and develop renewable energy capacities, however it still plans to rely heavily on coal.
In March, 2021 the National Assembly of Serbia adopted the Law on Climate Change, laying the foundation for the establishment of a system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions by containing specific provisions on setting up a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory, low carbon development strategies as well as policies, measures and GHG projections.
Last update: 07 2023