Serbia’s transmission operator has signed grid-connection contracts for around 2 GW of battery energy storage, while approximately 11 GW of wind and solar projects remain in the transmission connection process. Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) chief executive Jelena Matejić disclosed the contracted battery capacity at the OIE Srbija 2026 conference, noting that additional storage projects are also being announced.
Earlier EMS data showed about 2,021 MW / 5,899 MWh of battery projects in the overall grid-connection procedure. The figure included both standalone battery systems and storage paired with renewable power plants. The latest 2 GW figure should not be added to that earlier pipeline. Instead, it indicates that a substantial portion of the storage capacity previously undergoing connection procedures has progressed to contracted grid status.
Renewable connection requests far exceed the 2030 target
Around 11 GW of wind and solar projects are currently in the transmission-grid connection process, compared with Serbia’s target of approximately 3.5 GW of installed wind and solar capacity by 2030. The broader project pipeline is larger. Energy ministry officials have said projects totalling about 12 GW are incorporated into the transmission-network model, rising to around 15 GW when developments connected at the distribution level are included. The scale of proposed generation and storage is increasing pressure on the process of selecting projects that can progress from development to construction and operation.
Storage capacity advances toward contracted status
The earlier 2,021 MW / 5,899 MWh storage pipeline consisted of approximately 1,073 MW / 2,982 MWh of standalone batteries and around 948 MW / 2,917 MWh of storage linked to variable renewable generation. Within the standalone category, EMS subsequently signed grid-connection contracts covering seven projects with approximately 724 MW of grid injection capability and 730 MW of absorption capability.
EMS has not released a project-level breakdown corresponding to the latest aggregate 2 GW contracted figure, leaving the precise composition and total energy capacity of those projects unclear. The contracted volume nevertheless places battery systems among the significant planned components of Serbia’s electricity infrastructure.
Battery projects face a developing revenue model
Growing solar generation across Southeast Europe has increased the occurrence of low and, at times, negative electricity prices during daytime periods. Battery systems can charge during those periods and discharge when prices rise, while potentially generating additional revenues through balancing and ancillary services.
Storage can also help renewable developers manage curtailment exposure and make variable generation more controllable. Serbia does not yet have the established revenue history for large standalone battery projects found in more mature European storage markets. Project economics will depend on electricity-price spreads, balancing-market design, ancillary-service opportunities and the pace at which competing storage capacity enters the system. With contracted battery capacity approaching 2 GW, project development is increasingly tied to whether sufficient revenues can support financing and operation.
Renewable developers face a larger project-selection process
Serbia has increased operating wind and solar capacity from approximately 400 MW four years ago to more than 1.3 GW, while the grid-connection queue has expanded substantially faster than installed renewable generation. The government has already extended certain connection deadlines toward 2029, with the additional time intended to determine which projects are sufficiently mature to proceed and to free capacity occupied by developments that do not advance.
Industry representatives have warned that regulatory uncertainty is creating risks for renewable projects, while EMS has said that transmission capacity is being expanded to meet investor requirements. These conditions are increasingly relevant to project valuations. Developments with credible connection dates, permits, storage and bankable offtake arrangements can have a different investment profile from projects based primarily on land rights and positions in the grid queue.
EPS targets mature renewable projects
The growing connection backlog could contribute to consolidation among developers as utilities, infrastructure funds and strategic investors focus on projects that have progressed further through development. Serbia’s state utility EPS has invited developers to propose mature renewable projects for acquisition or joint development. The government is also discussing large-scale battery cooperation between EPS and Masdar, adding storage to the broader set of renewable-energy investment opportunities under development in Serbia.
