The flue gas desulfurization plant in TENT A is now operational, significantly improving air quality for the citizens of Obrenovac, Belgrade, and the surrounding area

"As of today, Serbia's energy system includes a thermal power plant that, according to ecological standards, can be compared with modern thermal power plants anywhere in Europe." When we say that sulfur dioxide emissions will be reduced by as much as thirty times, and that emissions of particulate matter will also be significantly reduced, it means that the citizens of Obrenovac, the surrounding towns, and Belgrade will have significantly better air quality. This is a huge achievement by the government, the ministry I head, and the EPS", said the Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedović Handanović.

She pointed out that about 215 million euros were invested in the construction of the flue gas desulfurization plant and that today we can proudly say that this plant has been successfully completed with the help of Japanese partners and domestic companies.

"This plant has not only ecological but also energy significance. Together with the thermal power plant "Nikola Tesla" B, where the desulfurization plant will be completed next year, these two thermal power plants generate about half of the electricity in Serbia and are crucial for the stable supply of citizens and the economy. Additionally, these plants will be acceptable from both ecological and environmental protection perspectives. By reducing the emission of harmful gases, we extended the operational span of the thermal power plant and ensured safe production. We will need this energy greatly as we invest in wind farms, solar power plants, and new hydropower plants. Some of these projects are already under construction, while others are part of our future plans," said the Minister.

She added that the flue gas desulfurization plant in TENT A is one of the largest environmental projects in a thermal power plant in Europe and the third largest in the world, addressing the pseudo environmentalists in the National Assembly by stating that the government is committed to environmental protection, and noting that flue gas desulfurization systems have already been built in the thermal power plant Kostolac.

She pointed out that the desulfurization project at TENT A is an important part of bilateral cooperation with Japan, which is expected to expand with new initiatives in the future.

"We have already started discussions with the Government of Japan and JICA, who are interested in the construction of the pumped storage hydro power plant in Bistrica. What TENT A is for Serbia today, in terms of stability of supply, PS HPP Bistrica will be in decades ahead. That is why, for this new project, we are seeking reliable partners from around the world who can provide technology, favorable financing, efficiency, as well as the highest ecological standards", said Djedović Handanović.

Minister of Environmental Protection Irena Vujović said that the importance of the project for the citizens of Belgrade is significant, especially considering that thermal power plants in Obrenovac, according to the data from the Environmental Protection Agency, are one of the biggest sources of pollutant emissions.

"Thanks to this investment, annual emissions of sulfur dioxide from the power plant will be reduced many times over, and particulate matter will be reduced to European standards. Sulfur dioxide will also be processed into gypsum, in accordance with the principle of the circular economy. That is why this day is very important for me as the Minister of Environmental Protection and for all the citizens of Belgrade - because this project means cleaner air in our capital," Vujović said.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hosaka Yasushi expressed his satisfaction with visiting Serbia for the first time and noted that the flue gas desulfurization plant in TENT A is the first project in Serbia that is being implemented with a loan provided in Japanese yen.

"I am very happy that today, as a representative of the Government of Japan, I am attending the official ceremony marking the completion of works on this project, which has utilized our knowledge and technology for environmental protection, gained through our experience in addressing pollution in our country. This project is important for advancing the green transition in Serbia, and we will continue to provide support on its path to decarbonization", he said, expressing the hope that this project will become a symbol of friendship between Serbia and Japan, similar to the yellow buses that completed their twenty-year service last year.

Dušan Živković, Acting CEO of EPS, said that the most modern equipment from renowned manufacturers was installed in the plant.

"It is a technology of wet desulfurization of flue gases using limestone. The by-product of this process is gypsum, which is already produced by being passed through an absorber, and it is of Euro quality. The expected annual output of gypsum is about 250,000 tons. The same plant is being built at TENT B. With the completion of that project at the end of next year, we will definitely put an end to the issue of harmful gas emissions at EPS' large units in TENT and TPP Kostolac, which produce about 90% of electricity from thermal power plants," he said.