Djedovic and Varhelji attend presentation of Trans-Balkan Corridor Project

Serbia needs a strong electricity grid in order to have a higher share of renewable energy sources and to reduce the emission of harmful gases. Also, it is important for us to have a strong connection with our neighbors, so that we can exchange more electricity, hopefully to be able even to export it, because we are planning a significant increase in generation capacities, said Minister Djedovic. The Minister thanked the European Union for supporting the Trans-Balkan Corridor project and expressed the hope that 165 million euros of budget support will arrive soon, bearing in mind huge expenses for energy. Last month, the government paid 40 million euros for the import of electricity, this month we expect this cost to be 50 million, and even more in January, Djedovic stated.

Commissioner Varhelyi pointed out that energy is a topic that is on everyone's mind these days and that the Trans-Balkan Corridors will contribute to both Serbia and the European Union having greater energy security, but at the same time it will accelerate the electricity trade. "This power cable" or highway is the basis for a green economy, because electricity will increasingly be obtained from renewable energy sources, not only from gas, said Varhelyi.

The Minister also stated that Elektromreža Srbije has done an excellent job so far, that Serbia has already connected with Romania, and that we are continuing to establish connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Also, she added that we have the support of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Development Bank on the Trans-Balkan Corridor project.