While the European Commission proposes a gradual ban on Russian energy imports by 2027—with Hungary and Slovakia opposing—Serbia is moving forward with plans to expand its gas storage capacity by building a new facility in Tilva, announced Dušan Bajatović, director of Srbijagas. Negotiations with Russia on a new gas supply agreement are ongoing, with a signing expected by September 20.
This month, Serbia’s government adopted a preventive gas supply plan covering domestic production, imports, and reserves. The new Tilva storage, valued at €350–500 million, aims to complement the existing Banatski Dvor facility and enhance Serbia’s energy security.
At the EU level, rules are being developed to mandate 90% gas storage filling by year-end, despite current average EU storage at only 55.7%. Bajatović criticized these rules as “populist,” noting storage facilities mainly help manage peak demand rather than supply the market continuously.
He warned that a potential EU ban on Russian gas would cause shortages and price hikes, especially since U.S. gas supplies are currently maximized. Though Serbia would not be directly affected, EU market liberalization could lead to speculation, supply gaps, and risks if Srbijagas loses its guaranteed supplier status.
The upcoming long-term gas deal with Russia will need to include protections to ensure supply stability over the next decade. Bajatović also indicated that U.S. sanctions on Serbia’s oil company NIS will likely be postponed by two to three months, emphasizing NIS’s key role in national energy supply.
