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Ugljevik Power Plant restart planned amid energy crisis

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-20 08:35 UTC → 2026-10-21 08:39 UTC · added removed

The Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant (RiTE Ugljevik) officially ceased electricity production on October 13, 2026, due to a critical coal shortage and exhausted landfill reserves. The crisis stems from unresolved property rights and legal disputes at the ‘Istok dva’ exploitation field, where expropriation processes involving residential buildings and inheritance issues have blocked access to an estimated three million tons of coal. Beyond the immediate production halt, local communities including Stari Ugljevik, Sarije, Mezgraja, Trnova, and Jablani have reported severe environmental and logistical impacts. Residents cite heavy dust, sulfur, and metal evaporation, alongside damaged roads and water systems. The crisis follows the takeover of Comsar Energy RS by Republika Srpska for approximately 240 million KM, with reports suggesting an additional 275 million KM is being requested to stabilize operations through 2029. The production failure triggered a financial crisis for Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS), which reportedly shifted from a 145 million KM profit to a 30 million KM loss. To mitigate this, General Director Luka Petrović considered requesting an increase in electricity and network fees by as much as 50 percent. He noted that while coal will be purchased from external sources as a temporary measure, this method is significantly more expensive than using domestic coal. On October 19, 2026, the Government of Republika Srpska announced plans to restart RiTE Ugljevik operations within seven to ten days. Prime Minister Savo Minić stated that coal supplies would be secured and that To ensure winter stability, the government intends will provide financial support and arrange for urgent coal purchases from alternative sources. To address long-term security, officials plan to introduce implement a new law on strategic infrastructure to streamline accelerate land expropriation processes. for the Ugljevik-Istok 2 mining area, aiming to bypass administrative delays. Additionally, the government intends to acquire new machinery through international agreements. To manage operational costs and avoid bankruptcy, ERS will receive government support and a 50 million KM credit arrangement. Regarding consumer costs, Milorad Dodik, leader of the SNSD, clarified that electricity prices for residential consumers will not increase at this time, noting that any price leveling would only be considered in March, though prices for the business sector may change.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-21 08:39 UTC Ugljevik Power Plant restart planned amid energy crisis
  2. 2026-10-20 08:35 UTC Ugljevik Power Plant restart planned amid energy crisis
  3. 2026-10-19 12:51 UTC Ugljevik Power Plant restart planned amid energy crisis
  4. 2026-10-18 18:52 UTC Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant ceases production
  5. 2026-10-18 07:14 UTC Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant ceases production
  6. 2026-10-13 18:31 UTC Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant production crisis

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