Biomass electricity - The Swiss build unit worth EUR 5m in Padinska Skela

- Total annual potential of renewable energy sources in Serbia is equivalent to 4.3 million tonnes of oil, that is, nearly 50% of the country's annual needs for energy - it was said at the meeting dedicated to renewable energy sources.

According to Assistant Minister of Energy and Mining Dejan Stojadinović, biomass represents the most significant renewable energy source in Serbia and it constitutes two thirds of total potential or 62% of renewable energy sources.

- Bio-fuel is the only biomass product that Serbia could export because the other methods of use of biomass are based on local production and consumption - he said and added that the southern parts of Serbia were the richest with forest or wood biomass, while agricultural biomass was present in the north of the country.

He reminded that making of the Action Plan for Biomass had started in 2009 and that it should define all obstacles and problems that prevent greater exploitation of the potentials of that renewable source of energy.

- Negotiations between Serbia and the Swiss International Development Agency are in the final phase and construction of the first biomass plant in Serbia, in Padinska Skela, should start in 2011. The plant would be worth 5 million euros, 3m of which would be provided from donations - Stojadinovic announced and specified that the plant would have an installed electric power of 800 kW and 5 MW of heating power.

Minister of Agriculture Sasa Dragin said that the use of wood remains alone can provide enough energy to satisfy the needs of 800,000 households in Serbia because 30% of our country is covered by woods that daily lose large amount of biomass energy.

- Sources of fossil fuels are limited for achievement of sustainable development and economic growth, which is why it is necessary to invest in renewable energy sources. The use of renewable sources of energy contributes to development of local industry, that is, application of new technologies and higher employment rate - he said and added that the use of biomass and other alternative sources of energy in production saved money.