Serbian energy security and oil infrastructure development

In August 2026, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović reported that oil product supplies remained stable despite low Danube water levels hindering rail transport. To meet a projected record diesel demand of 200,000 tonnes, the Pančevo refinery aimed to increase daily processing from 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes, supported by sufficient reserves.

By September, the Serbian government moved to further enhance energy security through infrastructure expansion. The Pančevo refinery successfully increased its processing capacity to nearly 13,000 tons per day. Additionally, the Serbian Parliament approved guarantees for Transnafta Pančevo to fund a new oil pipeline to Hungary. This project, slated to begin construction by the end of the year, is expected to have an annual capacity of approximately 5.5 million tons. While the pipeline serves to diversify supply routes beyond the existing JANAF pipeline, energy officials noted the ongoing need for additional connections to prevent over-reliance on single sources.