In Serbia's current electricity landscape, fossil fuels dominate the picture, with more than half of the electricity being generated from these sources. Specifically, coal power is a substantial contributor, making up approximately 64% of the total electricity mix. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources are responsible for about 31% of electricity generation, with hydropower being the main contributor at 27%, and wind power contributing a smaller share at nearly 3%. Natural gas, contributing approximately 4.5%, adds to the fossil fuel category. The focus on expanding clean energy, such as nuclear and solar, can significantly aid Serbia in moving away from its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Serbia?
The recent trend in electricity consumption in Serbia has taken a downward turn, with the latest per capita electricity consumption measured at 5562 kWh, which is a decrease from the previous year's record of 5764 kWh. Such a decline is even more pronounced in the low-carbon sector, where per capita consumption dropped from 1987 kWh to 1711 kWh. This decrease is concerning, as it highlights a drop in sustainable energy generation at a time when ramping up clean electricity is crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on pollutive energy sources.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Serbia can take inspiration from successful regions and integrate their strategies. Leveraging nuclear power as seen in countries like France and Slovakia, where it constitutes around 60% of electricity generation, could greatly increase Serbia's clean electricity capacity. Additionally, focusing on developing wind power, similar to regions like Iowa and Denmark, which generate over 50% of their electricity from wind, could play a pivotal role. Solar energy, already seeing prominent use in regions like Greece, can also become a cornerstone of Serbia's clean energy transition given its potential to capture abundant sunlight.
History
The evolution of low-carbon electricity in Serbia has shown a fluctuating pattern over the years. In the early 1990s, hydropower witnessed a modest increase followed by periods of decline. The 2000s saw further instability, with significant decreases in hydropower generation such as the 2.1 TWh drop in 2000 and the 3.2 TWh decrease in 2011. Into the recent decade, there were periods of recovery, with a notable increase in 2023 by 3.6 TWh, but this was again followed by a decline in 2024. This inconsistency highlights the urgent need for Serbia to stabilize and grow its low-carbon energy generation, particularly through the expansion of nuclear and solar power, to ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.