Speaking in Kragujevac, Đedović Handanović said Serbia has sufficient reserves of petroleum products, which have doubled over the past four years, but warned that higher energy prices are creating pressure on electricity costs. Crude oil prices have recently surpassed $100 per barrel, reaching as high as $106.
The country is also dealing with difficult hydrological conditions. Water levels on the Danube remained at historically low levels throughout the summer, putting additional pressure on electricity production and the power system.
Water has had to be preserved for cooling thermal power plants, particularly those in Kostolac. Low Danube levels have also complicated coal deliveries from the Romanian port of Constanta. Around 250,000 tonnes of coal are currently being transported to Serbia by rail and through alternative routes from the port of Bar. The minister expects water levels to improve over the next month, allowing larger quantities of coal to be delivered by river.
At the same time, Serbia is purchasing fuel oil for facilities that use it for heating ahead of the winter season, as authorities monitor developments on international energy markets.
