Serbia’s Energy Revolution: Why Wind Power is Out and Solar is In for 2025 and Beyond
Serbia redraws its energy roadmap, dropping giant wind farms and spotlighting solar megaprojects through 2030.
- 1 GW Wind Project Dropped: Wind farm mega-projects removed from priority list
- 41 Power Generation Projects: EPS trims portfolio for more realistic execution
- 6 Sectors Targeted: Plan covers electricity, gas, oil, networks, and efficiency
- 66 Priority Investments: Five fewer than in the previous strategic plan
Serbia is dramatically realigning its energy future, making a bold play for solar power supremacy while deprioritizing its once-lauded wind farm ambitions. In 2025, the Balkan nation approved a sweeping revision to its Energy Infrastructure Development Plan and Energy Efficiency Measures, shaking up what will define Serbia’s low-carbon transformation through 2030 and beyond.
The new blueprint, crafted by the Ministry of Mining and Energy, publicly pivots away from wind, marking the end of government-backed plans to build 1 gigawatt (GW) of wind farms with strategic partners. Instead, the spotlight now shines on colossal solar projects that are set to transform Serbia’s renewable landscape.
Why Did Serbia Drop Its Wind Power Mega-Project?
Serbia’s leaders decided that focusing on fewer, more achievable renewable projects would produce quicker, tangible results. Spiraling costs and limited resources led to a cut: the 1 GW wind farm, once a headline-grabber, is now just a backup plan, available only if future demand surges.
Meanwhile, the government noticed a surge in private wind energy investments through a booming auction system. This allowed the state-owned utility giant, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), to focus on balancing the nation’s energy with large-scale solar plants instead.
What Are Serbia’s New Top Energy Priorities?
Serbia’s latest plan targets six critical sectors:
- Electricity generation
- Transmission and distribution networks
- Natural gas
- Oil and petroleum products
- Energy efficiency
Among electricity projects, four stand out:
- Kolubara solar power plant
- Morava solar power project (new)
- Kostolac wind farm (remains a priority)
- Removal of Klenovnik solar plant from the list
With just 41 generation projects—down from 61—EPS is trimming fat and focusing on investments it can realistically build and fund.
How Will the Electricity Grid and Distribution Change?
Serbia isn’t just investing in power generation. It’s also doubling down on modernizing its grid. The latest plan highlights 66 priority investments, a slight reduction, as the nation replaces outdated substations, automates its medium-voltage grids, and swaps wooden utility poles for durable concrete ones.
Significant upgrades include:
- New 110/10kV substations, especially in fast-growing areas like National Stadium and Surčin
- Streamlined transformer upgrades, now focusing only on critical substations
- Smarter electricity meters for homes and businesses
Major national grid projects—like the Trans-Balkan and Pannonian corridors—remain essential for cross-border energy connections.
NEXT: How Is Serbia Planning to Boost Energy Efficiency?
Serbia is pushing harder for energy efficiency. The latest plan, more ambitious than ever, eyes new financial tools and partnerships across various sectors.
One headline initiative: Serbia’s first district cooling systems. In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), policymakers are crafting a Strategic Plan for Decarbonization in heating and cooling. Here’s what’s new:
- Heat storage and heat pump installations
- Clean energy generated from waste treatment
- Guidelines to connect more users to district heating while shutting down polluting fossil fuel boilers
The government hopes these ambitious steps will slash carbon emissions and help Serbia meet its European Union targets, anchored in the National Energy and Climate Plan.
Q&A: What Does This Mean for Serbia’s Green Transition?
Q: Will Serbia fall behind in wind energy?
A: Not necessarily—private investors are filling the gap. The state’s focus on solar is about balancing its energy mix.
Q: How do these changes affect ordinary Serbians?
A: Expect cleaner energy, more modern infrastructure, and potential new green jobs as solar and grid modernization ramp up.
Q: Is this shift risky?
A: Experts praise the “realistic” approach—fewer, well-funded projects are more likely to succeed, keeping tax and energy costs in check.
How Can Serbia Meet Its 2030 and 2050 Energy Goals?
According to policymakers, this streamlined approach will better align Serbia with EU energy goals and the larger Energy Community. The nation eyes greater grid reliability, rapid solar expansion, and pioneering in district cooling and heating—all while keeping a close eye on costs, technology trends, and decarbonization deadlines.
Serbia’s energy future is evolving. Stay tuned for further updates—green power is just getting started!
Get Ready: Serbia’s Clean Energy Checklist for 2025
- Watch for new solar megaprojects breaking ground
- Follow EPS’s pivot from wind to solar for national infrastructure
- Track new financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades
- Stay informed on district heating and cooling system innovations
- Monitor future strategic updates from the Ministry of Mining and Energy
Bookmark this page for crucial updates. Serbia’s green transformation is in motion—don’t miss the details that will shape the next decade!
