David Žarković, Assistant General Director of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) for energy portfolio management, stated that EPS plans to produce 42% of its electricity from hydro and renewable sources by 2028, supporting Serbia’s national target of 45% renewable energy by 2030.
At the “OIE Serbia 2025” conference in Vrdnik, Žarković noted that EPS currently operates 843 MW of renewable energy capacities under PPA contracts for energy purchase and balancing, producing 2.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) this year, up from 723 MW last year.
He outlined EPS’s renewable energy growth plans: by the end of 2025, two large wind farms will be connected; by 2026, renewable capacity will reach 1,433 MW with 3.2 TWh output; in 2027, 1,786 MW with 4.1 TWh; and by 2028, 2,490 MW producing 5.9 TWh. These figures include only EPS PPA projects, excluding independent producers.
Žarković emphasized EPS’s dominant role in the Serbian electricity market, explaining that it naturally takes on the majority of PPA contracts for energy purchase and balancing. He clarified that balancing responsibilities could be assumed by any market participant, but EPS has offered the most favorable conditions, attracting most producers.
He also addressed the issue of negative electricity prices, which occur when renewable generation exceeds consumption during certain periods. EPS currently has 30 PPA contracts requiring amendments to address negative pricing, and future regulations will aim to share both the risks and benefits of negative prices between EPS and producers.
