First phase of new World Bank support program for energy projects in Serbia includes construction of gas pipeline section between Nis and Velika Plana

The new multi-year World Bank support program for projects in the energy sector of Serbia will be structured in several phases, and the first phase would include the construction of a gas pipeline section between Nis and Velika Plana, as well as the preparation of technical documentation for projects to be implemented in subsequent phases, which include the construction of a gas pipeline from Mokrin to Belgrade, as well as the construction of new gas storage facilities and associated gas pipelines, announced Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, who spoke with a World Bank delegation.

The new program, as announced, would include financing the development of gas infrastructure and continued investment in energy efficiency. The plan, as she explained, is to build two new gas interconnections in the next two years, with North Macedonia and Romania, which are important for diversification and greater security of supply, the Ministry of Mining and Energy announced.

– Through the World Bank program, we would improve the internal network and remove bottlenecks that affect the smooth transport of gas – the minister stated.

The possibility of the development of gas infrastructure including the possibility of hydrogen transport, enabling greater flexibility in the use of infrastructure during the energy transition period, was also discussed at the meeting. Djedovic Handanovic emphasized that, in previous years, very good results had been achieved in the program “Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency for Citizens of Serbia,” where a total of more than 50,000 households would reduce energy consumption and their bills.

– We are interested in continuing cooperation in support in the field of energy efficiency, including the reconstruction of public buildings in local governments - schools, kindergartens, hospitals, but also for continued support to households – the minister stated.

The World Bank delegation, led by Energy Manager for Europe and Central Asia Stephanie Gill, expressed its readiness to support Serbia in the implementation of planned priority energy projects, especially in the gas sector, emphasizing that in this regard Serbia had shown great capacity and ambition and could be an example to other countries in the region.

Svetska Banka-WB Beograd

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

World Bank

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

Stephanie Gill

Niš Velika Plana gas pipeline

gas interconnection with North Macedonia

gas interconnection with Romania