Serbia: Each megawatt is important claim in Serbian Power utility EPS, preparation for winter after overhauls

Published on 18. September 2013., News Serbia Energy

In mid-September the fourth modernized aggregate of Hydro Power Plant “Bajina Basta” will be connected to the power network. After 46 years, the Drina beauty begins to live her second youth, and the system of “Electric Power Industry of Serbia”, after four years revitalization, has got 52 new megawatts of power, which is not a little achievement.

The implemented revitalization in the EPS system were often argued publicly. All critics without valid arguments have been beaten by facts and results. It concerns also the HPP “Bajina Basta”, which with an investment of 77 million euros has four modernized aggregates, additional new 52 megawatts, better, and more efficient and greater production, increased by 70 million kWh. The amount of 77 million euros would not be enough to build a new hydropower plant of 52 MW, as such a project would cost more than 100 million euros.

One must not forget the fact that during four-year work of modernization of “Bajina Basta”, the  system of “Electric Power Industry of Serbia” has got new, young professionals, ready for new investment projects and construction of new power plants. They can make decisions and the right solutions, what they have already proved. These young professionals never sleep. Together with their senior colleagues, they are preparing the revitalizing of power plant “Zvornik” at full tear. It is   very encouraging news that in the company “Drinsko-Limske HPPs” there is a base of young professionals who are ready to build new power plants, wrestle with major problems, and make right decisions and effective solutions.

All in EPS should be proud of the employees in the company “Drinsko-Limske HPPs” for many reasons. They have decisively, without delay, modestly and without complaint performed the modernization of four aggregates in HPP ” Bajina Basta”. The other parts of the large EPS system also need a new generation of builders. We have been sleeping and waiting for a long time.

It must not be forgotten, that in Serbia we have not built any new power plant for more than two decades. Our production capacities are getting older. Therefore, the additional 52 megawatts are important for the system of “Electric Power Industry of Serbia”. Each megawatt is important now and it is going to be in the future. In the following years, every produced kWh will be crucial. He who has the strength and energy, efficient production, distribution and supply – will be the winner in the market competition.

Everyone says that EPS can be winner, but only if the adaptation to the new market conditions will be applied. The first step of electricity market liberalization has been  made ​​this winter. EPS has retained 25 of 26 customers. The first race has been finished successfully. However, the second step will wait the next four months to be made, which is going to be a great test for EPS. An open market with more customers is waiting for us, and the competitors are preparing at full tear. However, the market does not recognize the losers. It just swallows them in no time and the little ones are gone.

However, EPS has never been a weakling.

When it was the most difficult, the system was the strongest. EPS defied the crisis and bombing, fighting the cold and dry, and often was the “scapegoat “of a state bad social policy. Nevertheless, without people, machines, excavators, blocks, aggregates, sub-station, are just a pile of iron. Without employees, but all of them, from miners to clerks, EPS cannot be a winner of the market competition. Moreover, the people are the biggest value of this system. They are showing it day-to day. Although there is a lack of money for investment, professional people of EPS know how to prepare the system for the winter season. To EPS and employees of the greatest Serbian company the bar for the jump will be lifted again this winter. As  the decades before, EPS will also “jump over” the newly raised bar, because EPS has never failed the citizens and the economy of Serbia.

Source ; EPS Kwh editor Alma Muslibegovic