Belgrade district heating preparations and pricing

As Belgrade prepares for the upcoming heating season, scheduled to begin on October 15 and last until April 15, the utility company JKP Beogradske elektrane has announced functional probes of the district heating system. These tests, set for October 1 through October 8, 2026, involve 14 heating plants, 15 boiler rooms, one renewable energy source, the hot water network, and heat transfer stations to ensure infrastructure readiness. Officials noted these are “cold-dynamic” tests and do not involve actual thermal energy delivery to buildings. Residents have been advised not to report malfunctions to the Belgrade Service Center if radiators remain cold during this period.

Regarding energy costs, the City of Belgrade has rejected a proposal from Beogradske elektrane to increase district heating prices. Although the company proposed an average increase of approximately 9 percent—specifically seeking to increase the fixed portion of the price by 18.02 percent while reducing the variable portion by 5.57 percent—the status quo will remain for the upcoming season. Vanja Vukić, director of Beogradske elektrane, noted that while the proposal aimed to offset higher fixed costs like salaries and materials, the final decision rests with the local government regulator.

On a national level, Srbijagas director Dušan Bajatović confirmed that Gazprom has extended its gas supply arrangement with Serbia through the end of the year. This agreement maintains existing favorable terms, ensuring stable supply at prices significantly lower than European market rates, which have exceeded 800 euros per 1,000 cubic meters. Meanwhile, the Energy Agency of Serbia (AERS) reports that while natural gas and firewood remain economical, pellet heating costs are projected to rise by 50 percent, and direct electric heating remains the most expensive method.