Putnikovic: Large gas power plant would ensure stable electricity source to Serbia

BELGRADE - Building a large gas power plant with Azerbaijan would ensure a stable electricity source to Serbia, says Jelica Putnikovic, editor-in-chief of the Energija Balkana internet portal.

Commenting on President Aleksandar Vucic's recent announcement of potential cooperation with Azerbaijan to build a large gas power plant in Serbia, Putnikovic told Tanjug the power plant would be a substitute for coal-fired power plants, which Serbia has committed to shut down over time.

She said the gas power plant would be a solution that would provide base energy because, unlike wind farms and solar power plants, it would ensure continuous power generation.

"If that is done in partnership with Azerbaijan, if they provide a more favourable gas price for that power plant, that would also mean cheaper electricity generation. Serbia is currently exporting electricity, and that would mean it can export larger quantities because electricity is a very sought-after commodity in both the Balkan and the European markets," Putnikovic said.

She said large gas power plants were a part of a solution for secure electricity supplies and noted that they were built much more quickly compared to nuclear power plants, which take 12 to 15 years to build.

"On the other hand, we already have a gas pipeline between Serbia and Bulgaria, which would ensure gas from Azerbaijan that would supply that power plant," Putnikovic added.