Western Balkans connecting through Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor

Together with other Western Balkan partners, Serbia is building and connecting the 371.3 km Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor, for which the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is providing €32.1 million of non-refundable EU funds.

Danko Gavrilović, WBIF Coordinator for Serbia, emphasises the importance of the project for the economy, connectivity and sustainability of renewable energy development. “The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027 is a reflection of the European Union’s efforts to encourage the long-term economic recovery of the country and the region, with the support of so-called green and digital transformation and the acceleration of regional connectivity, and connectivity with the European Union. Intensive development of sustainable capacity also requires the development of the network of transmission,” said Gavrilović.

The project was identified as a flagship for transition from coal as well as being within the investment priority of clean energy, as determined in the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027. The project is part of the EU’s wider support to the sector – the EU has invested more than €830 million in the energy sector over the past two decades. In 2022 alone, EU support to Serbia’s energy sector is estimated at €100 million.

Diversification of energy sources, security of supply, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of the economy, in line with the Paris Agreement, are the main goals of the EU’s support, which is implemented in cooperation with the Government of Serbia. The EU will continue to support Serbia in aligning with the EU acquis and creating structures that will allow for further investment in the decarbonisation of the energy sector.