Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant faces energy crisis

The Ugljevik thermal power plant is experiencing significant operational issues following a pipe failure. Officials state that the aging equipment and lack of recent investment contributed to the outage. To maintain operations, the plant is currently mixing its own coal with 12,000 tons of coal sourced from Bukova Kosa at a 50:50 ratio, as the imported coal cannot be burned alone.

This shortage has forced the Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) to import massive amounts of electricity to compensate for the deficit. Ivan Koprivica, executive director for technical affairs at ERS, reported that the company is purchasing approximately 7,000 megawatt hours of energy per day at a cost of roughly 2.5 million euros daily. In October alone, ERS imported energy worth approximately 63 million marks, while only being able to re-invoice end customers for 10 to 15 million marks.

Energy officials are calling for additional support from the government of Republika Srpska to manage the financial strain and logistical challenges, especially as winter approaches and coal transport becomes more difficult due to mud.