Golden age of gas is coming - U.S. General Electric interested in supplying cutting-edge technology for South Stream and wind farms in Serbia

General Electric is interested in supplying the world's cutting-edge technology for the construction of South Stream gas pipeline through Serbia. Besides, this U.S. company is ready to deliver equipment for renewable energy projects to be implemented in our country. This was announced by Gaetano Massara, executive director of General Electric Southeast Europe, at a conference dubbed "The Golden Age of Gas," which was held May 22nd at Hyatt Hotel in Belgrade.

- General Electric wants to be Serbia's partner. I hope that we will provide necessary technology for a number of South Stream-related projects. We will also participate in tenders and do our best to submit best bids. No special privileges are required as we offer the world's best technology with a complete portfolio for the energy sector - Massara said at the event organized by GE in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).

The executive director of General Electric SEE pointed out that they had so far worked on numerous similar projects such as Nord Stream, pipeline via Alaska, gas pipelines in Russia, etc.

- Aside from ex-Yugoslav countries, I am also in charge of operations in Greece, Malta and Cyprus. The company is now conducting gas exploration in Cyprus which we supply with measuring tools. We also have the means to carry out underwater exploration. In addition to Serbia, we are willing to participate in projects in Bulgaria and Slovenia as well.

Massara stressed that there were many gas infrastructure-related projects in the region as well as Europe, adding that not all of them were going to be successful as they posed competition to each other.

Gaetano Massara

- My recommendation is to begin the construction of South Stream in Serbia as soon as possible as that would enable Serbia to gain both an advantage and economic benefit – Massara underlined.

With the growth of sources of renewable energy, natural gas will experience a boom as a result of the construction of South Stream through Serbia, which will also be used to supply gas to the Republic of Srpska and Croatia. The plan is to build a large gas storage terminal in Banat to provide other parts of Serbia with the access to the supplies of natural gas.

- New supplies of gas will facilitate the construction of gas power plants in Serbia. When natural gas is used to produce electricity, carbon dioxide emission is twice as low as in coal-powered energy production, which contributes to the reduction of gas emission and greenhouse effects. As a result, South Stream gas pipelines will make it possible for Serbia to tap into various sources of energy and enjoy both economic and environmental benefits - said Alfons Klausner, GE sales director for eastern Europe.

As people at General Electric explain, natural gas is a flexible fuel producing energy that has many uses - in the industry, district heating, cogeneration...

- The products of our company, which operates in 76 contries, can be used in all branches of industry. GE offers companies and public enterprises a comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions for energy production - gas engines and aeroderivative gas turbines are specially designed for local and industrial development, and allow for autonomous production of energy with a low emission of gas. Over 11,000 gas turbines made by GE are currently in use all around the world. We also have an innovative assortment of products with a capacity ranging from 250 kW to 10 MW - said Klausner.

Renewable energy sources and gas

People at General Electric point out that Serbia needs a "better energy mix" in order to gain energy independence and achieve the goal of producing 27 percent of "green energy" by 2020.

- We encourage projects in the domain of renewable energy sources in Serbia. For example, wind farms can be used to generate plenty of electric energy. However, wind energy is unpredictable, which is why it is necessary to use other sources of energy such as natural gas. There is no competition between renewables and gas – Daniel Minev, General Electric's senior sales manager for central and eastern Europe, said at the conference, adding that GE had wind farm platforms in the middle of the sea.

S.O.