Djedovic meets with World Bank's Pontara

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic met with the director of the World Bank Office in Serbia Nicola Pontara on Thursday to discuss cooperation in the process of Serbia's energy transition.

"Serbia is firmly committed to energy transition and, together with our partners, which also include the World Bank, we are taking steps to make the transition to clean energy financially sustainable and socially just," Djedovic said.

She added that priority projects for ensuring sustainable use of new, higher-capacity renewable energy sources included, above all, reversible hydropower plants, as well as quicker implementation of projects planned by the national electric power company EPS when it comes to hydropower plants, wind farms and solar power plants, the Ministry of Mining and Energy said in a statement.

"It is necessary that we carry out a just transition to cleaner energy sources as well as look after all employees and local communities," Djedovic said.

She said construction of new power generation capacities using renewables should also be aligned with development of the power transmission and distribution grids.

That would make the development of the energy sector sustainable, efficient and economical and lead towards a higher degree of energy safety and security, she said.

Pontara noted the World Bank's support to Serbia in carrying out reforms in the energy and mining sector, especially in decarbonisation.