Serbia maintains energy stability despite low Danube water levels

Serbia's energy sector is facing challenges due to historically low water levels in the Danube, which has reduced hydropower production at the Đerdap plants to approximately 20–30% of capacity, or about 50% below the multi-year average. Despite this, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated that the energy situation remains stable as all units are operational and the country meets most needs through domestic production.

The low water levels have also created cooling challenges for nuclear power plants in neighboring Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. In Hungary, the Paks 1 plant has had to reduce production due to cooling difficulties. Experts from the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences noted that while such situations require careful management of water temperatures, cooling towers provide safety margins for these facilities.

To bolster stability, Serbia relies on its thermal sector—primarily lignite from the Kostolac and Kolubara basins—and the recently rehabilitated Bajina Bašta reversible hydropower plant. Looking forward, officials highlighted that nuclear energy is viewed as a vital component for future base-load production as the country pursues decarbonization to meet EU accession requirements and Paris Agreement obligations.