11 GW of new solar and wind capacity awaiting grid connection in Serbia

Currently, 11 GW of new wind and solar capacity in Serbia is in the process of connecting to the transmission system, while Montenegro has signed connection agreements for a total of 3 GW in projects, as announced at the RES SERBIA 2026 conference.

The connection of new power plants, the slowing pace of renewable energy project development, challenges facing investors, and the impact of sustainable aviation fuel on airfare prices were among the topics discussed on the first day of the RES SERBIA 2026 conference, which gathered 600 participants from the energy sectors of Serbia and the region in Vrdnik.

11 GW of RES projects in the process of connecting to Serbia’s transmission system

Jelena Matejic, General Manager of Elektromreze Srbije (EMS), highlighted that 11 GW of new wind and solar capacity was in the process of connecting to the transmission system.

– I welcome the goal of having 3.5 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2030 and urge you to implement your investments quickly. Do not worry about grid capacity. Capacity exists and is being developed with your needs in mind – Matejic told investors.

She revealed that the “active customer” category within the transmission system accounted for 122 MW at that moment, a figure that, as she emphasized, could be significantly higher. EMS has also signed agreements for 2 GW of battery storage capacity.

– There are further announcements, and we expect significant growth in battery storage in the future – she stated, underscoring the importance of continuous investment in the development of the transmission grid.

Grid connection agreements signed for 3 GW of projects in Montenegro

Ivan Asanovic, CEO of the Montenegrin Electric Transmission System (CGES), stated that Montenegro had received expressions of interest for grid connections totaling 7 GW, with approximately 5 GW worth of requests processed through studies, and that connection agreements had been signed for 3 GW of projects, predominantly solar.

Power plant grid connection: Top-priority topic in Europe

Rade Mrdak, advisor to the Minister of Mining and Energy, stated that the grid connection of power plants was one of the most pressing topics in Europe, adding that the decision to postpone grid connections in Serbia had not been made out of opposition to renewable energy sources.

He noted that, over the preceding four years, the capacity of solar and wind power plants in Serbia has increased from around 400 MW to over 1.3 GW.

– We revitalized the market with two successful auctions, amended the regulatory framework, and began streamlining the connection procedure. We have reached a point where there are 11 GW of requests for the transmission network and 6 GW of requests for EDS. We currently have a large number of projects, and we need to wait and see how they unfold – Mrdak pointed out.

Will SAF lead to higher airfares?

Speaking in a new conference format, a one-on-one discussion, Bosko Rupic, Head of Commercial and Strategy at Air Serbia, highlighted that the aviation sector accounted for only 2 percent of CO2 emissions. Addressing the topical issue of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), he noted that the lack of a sustainable fuel supply at Nikola Tesla Airport presented a challenge.

He pointed out that Air Serbia used SAF at 69 airports at that moment and that the share of sustainable aviation fuel in total consumption had stood at 0.67% in 2024, and that it was 1.7% at that moment.

– The EU target is for SAF to account for 6% of total fuel consumption by 2030, rising to 20% by 2035 and 70% by 2050. Decarbonization is a clear path forward, but if there is a mandate to increase SAF usage, and it costs two to three times more than standard fuel, it is inevitable that this will impact ticket prices – Rupic emphasized, adding that fleet efficiency could also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.


Day Two of the Conference – From financing to electricity market

The RES SERBIA 2026 conference, gathering energy leaders from the country and the region in Vrdnik, continues today. On the second day, participants will discuss battery storage systems, green energy financing, the electricity market, and new technologies for smart and safe mobility.

The conference, now in its sixth edition, is organized by the Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia association. The eKapija portal is the conference’s media sponsor.

EMS ad Beograd

Obnovljivi izvori energije Srbije

Air Serbia ad Beograd

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem ad Podgorica

Elektromreža Srbije

EMS

Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem

Montenegrin Electric Transmission System

CGES

Ministry of Mining and Energy

Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia

Air Serbia

Boško Rupić

Rade Mrdak

Ivan Asanović

Jelena Matejić

RES SERBIA 2026

SAF