Serbia Urges Power Savings as Đerdap Plant Hits Record Low Production

Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, has called on citizens to conserve electricity, citing critically low production levels at the Đerdap hydroelectric power plant. This marks the lowest output since the plant's commissioning, largely due to historically low Danube river water levels throughout May, June, and July.

The challenging situation is part of a broader European crisis. Heatwaves across the continent are straining power supplies, forcing countries like Hungary and Romania to shut down nuclear reactors due to insufficient water for cooling. In Serbia, Đerdap 1 is operating at 20% capacity, and Đerdap 2 at 30%, with water inflows at a mere 1,500 cubic meters per second. These levels are comparable to those seen in 2003 and 1985, underscoring the severity of the drought.

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Đerdap one is at 20 percent production, Đerdap two at 30. Inflows are the lowest, at 1,500 cubic meters per second.

While hydropower generation is significantly reduced, the situation at the Drina river hydropower plants is slightly better, with inflows below average but above the biological minimum. The minister emphasized the importance of the recently completed rehabilitation of the reversible hydropower plant Bajina Bašta, which allows for water pumping during low-price periods and energy generation during peak demand hours. Reservoir levels are currently at a satisfactory 75% capacity.

In the thermal power sector, the Kostolac plant faces challenges with cooling due to the low Danube levels, forcing a reduction in output. The quality of coal also presents an issue, impacting electricity production, though this is being managed through imports of higher-calorie coal. Serbia aims to stockpile over two million tons of coal before winter to ensure energy security.

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This all speaks to an extraordinary situation that absolutely must be monitored and that all employees in the energy sector remain dedicated to overcoming this challenging dry period, as well as the high temperatures.