Fuel storage operations have officially begun at the newly constructed facilities in Smederevo, marking a significant step in Serbia’s efforts to strengthen its energy reserves. The first deliveries of eurodiesel have already arrived via river transport, initiating the gradual filling of six new storage tanks.
Energy and Mining Minister Dubravka Đedovic stated that the new infrastructure substantially improves supply security for both households and businesses. Over the past year, Serbia has worked intensively, including through diplomatic channels, to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the country’s oil sector and to resolve uncertainties surrounding the oil company NIS, with the long-term goal of lifting sanctions affecting the company.
Four of the six tanks are expected to be fully operational by mid-April, offering a combined capacity of 64,000 tons of eurodiesel. The remaining two tanks, scheduled to come online around mid-February, will add an additional 32,000 tons. Once fully filled, the facility will provide nearly 100,000 tons of extra fuel storage capacity.
The Minister emphasized that these volumes represent a major safety buffer, considering Serbia’s average daily consumption of approximately 5,000 to 5,500 tons of eurodiesel. With reserves at this level, the country gains greater resilience against supply disruptions and market volatility. She also noted that Serbia has doubled its oil product reserves over the past four years.
The Smederevo site has a historic context, having been repeatedly damaged during the NATO air strikes in 1999, and this reconstruction marks a major step in restoring and modernizing Serbia’s energy infrastructure.
