Serbia has announced the start of its second renewable energy auction, offering opportunities for wind projects up to 300 megawatt (MW) and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects up to 124.8 MW. These projects will operate under a 15-year contract-for-difference (CfD) scheme, ensuring revenue stability for developers. The auction set maximum bid prices at €79/MWh for wind energy and €72/MWh for solar PV.
The initiative follows technical cooperation between Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), supported by a Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) grant.
Also read: EBRD and EU Launch New Green Financing Programme for Serbian SMEs
Strengthening Renewable Energy Through CfD Schemes
The CfD mechanism has played a crucial role in attracting investment in renewable energy by reducing market risks for developers. The EBRD, a key partner in Serbia’s energy transition, has supported developing competitive procurement and regulatory reforms for auctions. Technical assistance, funded by SECO and EBRD shareholders, covers the regulatory framework and auction procedures.
Progress Towards Serbia’s 1,300 MW Renewable Energy Plan
This auction marks a significant step in Serbia’s ambition to achieve 1,300 MW of renewable energy capacity within three years.
Matteo Colangeli, EBRD’s Regional Director for the Western Balkans said, “We believe that auctions are the most effective tool to deliver competitively priced green energy and we are proud of the partnership we built over the years with the Serbian authorities to introduce the necessary regulations and conduct these processes.”
He added, “Following the success of last year’s auction, this second step towards fulfilling the 1,300MW three-year plan announced by Serbia is an important signal to investors and all market participants about the country’s commitment to scaling up wind and solar energy – a commitment that we intend to continue supporting in the years ahead through more investments, technical assistance and policy advice.”
Also read: IFC Invests €65 Million in Erste Bank to Support Serbia’s MSMEs and Green Transition
As a key institutional investor in Serbia, the EBRD has invested over €9 billion in 365 projects. It promotes private-sector competitiveness, sustainable infrastructure, and green energy transitions.