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Circular Economy – A Goal or a Means of Waste Management?

Photo: Pixabay (Franz-W)
Photo: courtesy of Nemanja Stanisavljević

The last two centuries have been characterized by intensive exploitation of natural resources, resulting in significant changes in both natural and anthropogenic material flows. The need for developing and implementing a circular economy has arisen due to the excessive consumption of material goods in modern societies, coupled with waste generation, climate change, and detrimental environmental emissions. The circular economy (CE), serving as a foundation for the economy of the future, promotes responsible behavior towards secondary resources, advocating for environmental preservation while still maintaining the benefits of modern civilization. While these ideas and principles sound inspiring, the question remains: Is it genuinely possible to achieve such a balance, and under what conditions?

August Wilhelm von Hofmann, the first president of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a pioneer of the circular economy, stated in 1848: “In an ideal chemical factory, there is no waste—only products. The better a factory utilizes its waste, the closer it is to its goal—greater profit.” Today, even though the circular economy is recognized as the foundation of sustainable development, we remain far from Hofmann’s ideal. Furthermore, our task is even more complex, as we must optimize individual industrial processes and the entire anthropogenic metabolism, incorporating all economic and industrial sectors, consumers, and households.

A declarative commitment to the principles of the circular economy has become highly attractive—not only for the economy and industry but also for environmental protection. The Circular Economy Development Program of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2022–2024 establishes a legal framework aimed at creating an environment in which resources are used efficiently, environmental pressure is reduced, and economic development continues. The document Roadmap for Circular Economy in Serbia describes the circular economy as an industrial model focused on resource regeneration and waste reduction. The core idea of this approach is that waste does not exist—every waste material has the potential for reuse and must be fully utilized.

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Although this concept encourages a positive transformation of production processes, the question remains: How feasible is this approach in modern societies facing overconsumption (the very foundation of economic growth), increasing product complexity, waste challenges, and infrastructure limitations? It is essential to highlight that reducing environmental pressure while fostering economic development simultaneously remains one of the most significant challenges of contemporary societies!

This very challenge necessitates the definition and positioning of the role of waste management in the modern economy. Although in recent years, waste management goals have not been given much significance or discussed within professional and academic circles in Serbia, they have already been elaborated on in the public sphere. The anthroposphere consumes large quantities of materials, accumulates part of these materials in infrastructure over long periods, and generates significant amounts of waste daily. Efficient waste management is crucial for adequately addressing all outputs of the anthroposphere. These outputs, which may have been produced 10 or even 100 years ago, may contain legacy substances that are either currently unusable or banned due to toxicity or hazardous characteristics, such as mercury, lead, asbestos, cadmium, or brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These substances must be managed to prevent contamination of the circular economy. For this reason, the problem of waste and its management, treatment, disposal, and reuse as a secondary resource cannot and must not be viewed solely in terms of mass; instead, its chemical composition and hazardous substance content must also be considered. In the circular economy, waste containing hazardous substances must be purified (detoxified) before recycling, which is sometimes impossible or extremely costly. Moreover, new consumer products with complex chemical compositions appear every year, some of which may contain newly identified hazardous substances. These substances, together with legacy contaminants, pose a challenge to waste management systems and circular economy concepts.

Nemanja Stanisavljević

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Responsible Waste Management: Key to Sustainable Solar Energy

The management of construction waste in Serbia is regulated by a series of laws and by-laws, with an emphasis on the Law on Waste Management and the Regulation on the Manner and Procedure for Construction and Demolition Waste Management. These documents provide basic criteria and guidelines for the responsible handling of waste generated during construction projects, including the construction of solar power plants, whether they are ground-mounted or rooftop installations. Although solar power plants generate clean megawatts, waste at construction sites is unavoidable. However, CEEFOR, a company with many years of experience in designing solar power plants, also has expertise in developing waste management plans.

These plans are created specifically based on the aforementioned regulations to forecast the types, amounts, and waste disposal methods at an early stage. One of the recent projects undertaken by CEEFOR involved the construction of a 4.1 MW photovoltaic power plant on the ground, with the total energy output being fed into the distribution system. This project required the installation of more than 7,300 solar panels with an individual power of 650 Wp. The company has developed a waste management plan for this project, which requires implementing the measures outlined in the Regulation.

Photo: CEEFOR

These measures primarily focus on the separate collection of different types of waste, classification into categories (hazardous and non-hazardous), determining appropriate spaces for their temporary storage, and regulating the final treatment or disposal through cooperation with licensed operators. During construction, the most significant part of the waste will consist of wooden pallets, reels, and accompanying wood materials used for transporting, storing, and installing solar panels, inverters, and cables. Estimates for this project predicted about four tons of wood waste. In comparison, the other sources of waste will be plastic materials, about 0.005 tons (five kilograms), packaging films, protective covers, and other various elements.

A waste management plan was drawn up on the construction site, ensuring that wooden waste is stored in metal containers with a capacity of 10 m³. In comparison, plastic waste is disposed of in separate containers with a capacity of 1.1 m³. Thanks to such a system, materials suitable for recycling or reuse are not mixed with other types of waste or referred to landfills. In practice, wooden pallets that remain intact are returned to manufacturers or distributed to suppliers for subsequent transport processes.

In contrast, damaged ones are usually forwarded to recycling centers, where the wood mass is ground and prepared for secondary use in chipboards, boards, or biofuel. When it comes to plastic, it is treated by washing, sorting, and granulation, after which it becomes suitable for producing new products, which achieves multiple benefits for the economy and the environment. The authorized operator further monitors the dynamics of container filling, the time of removal, and the location where further treatment is performed.

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Roof-mounted Power Plant

Example Another project that was taken as an example of the waste management strategy concerns the construction of a solar power plant on the roof of the building with a total power of 120 kW. Although the capacity and scope of work are smaller than in the previous example, the basic principles of responsible waste management that the CEEFOR company adhered to remain the same.

The power plant consists of 312 solar panels with an individual power of 410 Wp. In this case, recording types of waste, determination of space for temporary storage, labeling, and safe transportation are also applied. The specificity of this project lies in the fact that the roof did not provide a large manipulation area. As a result, waste is collected in smaller containers, which, when filled, are transported to a separate location within the warehouse.

Photo: CEEFOR

The types of waste generated by this solar power plant project include approximately 0.8 tons of wooden pallets and reels, about one kilogram of plastic waste, around 0.5 kilograms of copper, bronze, and brass, five kilograms of aluminum, 0.5 kilograms of mixed metals, and one kilogram of cables. Due to the relatively small quantities of certain materials, metal waste, and cables are most often collected in one container designated for mixed metals, with clear markings to ensure proper selection. Plastic is disposed of separately in its container, while wood waste is placed on a surface protected from precipitation, as in the previous example. After the installation is complete, the operator takes the waste and transports it to the facilities, where recycling, energy recovery, or, in the worst case, disposed of if some materials are not suitable for reuse.

Regardless of the type and capacity of solar power plants, both CEEFOR projects share a common feature: the critical importance of planning and implementing efficient waste management strategies from the outset of construction. This approach ensures that waste is disposed of responsibly, preventing uncontrolled disposal that could result in illegal landfills and significant environmental damage. CEEFOR adheres to the principles of sustainable development and continuously improves its practices and expertise in the areas where it achieves the best results.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Is Green Steel the Next Step Toward a Climate-Neutral Truck?

Photo: Volvo

Steel makes up 47 percent of a typical diesel-powered truck, the so-called heavy truck, and is responsible for about 44 percent of the CO2 emissions generated during its production. But what if all this steel could be replaced with a low-CO2 emission alternative?

In 2025, Volvo Trucks will begin massively incorporating low-CO2 emission steel into its commercial production. This marks a significant step forward toward its goal of achieving a net-zero emissions supply chain by 2040.

The new low-CO2 emission steel is produced using recycled materials and renewable energy, which reduces emissions by about 80 percent compared to standard steel.

Starting next year, this new lowCO2 steel will be used for rail frames in approximately 12,000 Volvo FH and Volvo FM trucks, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 6,600 tons. That is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions produced by 910 European residents.

Why Low-CO2 Emission Steel Is a Key Factor in Producing Net-Zero Emission Trucks

If Volvo Trucks aims to fulfill its environmental ambitions, including a net-zero emissions supply chain, it is crucial to use an alternative to standard steel with low CO2 emissions.

– Since steel is the largest structural material in a truck and its production has the most significant environmental impact, the ability to use a low-CO2 alternative in mass production is genuinely essential for meeting our environmental ambitions, says Håkan Björklund, Product Architect at Volvo Trucks.

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In 2022, Volvo Trucks became the first truck manufacturer in the world to use fossil-free steel. This steel is produced using a new technology that involves hydrogen instead of coal in the iron reduction process, effectively eliminating all CO2 emissions. However, this technology is still developing and is not yet commercially available in large quantities. In the meantime, Volvo Trucks is exploring ways to use recycled steel to reduce the carbon footprint of its trucks today.

Now that low-CO2 steel is better understood, the next step is to replace steel in different parts of the truck— and that plan is already underway.

How Low-CO2 Emission Steel Could Shape the Future of Truck Transport

Photo: Volvo

Before it could incorporate new lowCO2 steel into production, Volvo Trucks had to test and verify its quality.

– From a technological perspective, we need to understand steel better. Due to its recycled content, there are some differences in its properties. That’s why we had to ensure that it could pass all our internal durability and surface treatment tests and that its characteristics were equal to those of conventional steel. Only then did we decide to start using it in production, explains Harsha A.R., Chief Engineer at Volvo Trucks.

As this is a recently developed product, the available quantities of new steel are still relatively small. However, as the supplier ramps up production for all steel grades, Volvo Trucks hopes to increase its use to replace standard steel consumption.

– Our strategy was to start with one type of steel of a specific thickness in a pilot project, but the plan has always been to expand this practice if the outcome is successful. Now that we have a better understanding of this steel and have tested it, the next step is to apply it to different steel grades and thicknesses and replace steel in various truck sections. That plan is already in preparation, says Harsha.

The successful adoption of lowCO2 emission steel eliminates one of the biggest obstacles to producing net-zero emission heavy trucks. By integrating this innovative material, Volvo Trucks is making a significant step forward in achieving its environmental goals.

Volvo Trucks

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Human Health is Directly Dependent on the Health of Nature

Photo: WWF

Atypical cancers, endocrine disorders, neurological impairments, allergies, and vector-borne diseases are a common denominator, whether we are talking about climate change or excessive plastic pollution as their cause. The ability of the system to function is repeatedly proven when a crisis occurs, yet what is missing is mitigation and adaptation to climate change, along with a systematic approach to prevention and treatment once the crisis has passed. These were the key conclusions of the second WWF Environmental Policy Forum, Impact on People and Health.

„There is ample evidence that climate disruptions have led to an increase in diseases that were previously considered atypical for our region. A concrete example is West Nile fever or allergies, which nearly 50 percent of the population now reports experiencing symptoms of. We feel these effects every day. The range of causes extends from heat waves (which are responsible for the immediate deaths of 70,000 people), through droughts and floods, to the emergence of viruses we are encountering for the first time”, stated Dunja Macoko Drvar, Director of the Nature Conservation Program at WWF Adria.

Photo: WWF

Milanko Šekler, scientific advisor at the Veterinary Specialist Institute in Kraljevo, explained that viruses primarily spread through insects and birds, their most frequent targets. He emphasized that any climate deviation of even +0.1 degrees Celsius results in an expansion of insect populations by approximately 150 kilometers north and south of the measurement point. Maja Vučković Krčmar from the Delegation of the European Union followed up with data from the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the alarming increase in lung cancer cases among non-smokers (with as many as 200,000 cases recorded), as well as a 15 percent rise in cardiovascular diseases in 2023.

„Through our actions or inaction, humans will push themselves to the brink of survival, while nature will endure”, emphasized Vučković Krčmar.

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To Sustain Healthcare Systems, Investments, and Workforce Retention Are Crucial

To ensure the survival of healthcare systems, we must invest more in healthcare, work on motivating healthcare professionals to remain in the country and follow the recommendations of recognized experts. According to Igor Jezdimirović from the Association of Environmental Protection Engineers, of the 1.25 kg of waste we produce daily, 0.2 kg is plastic, which ends up in sanitary or non-sanitary landfills. The lack of deposit and recycling systems, as well as the unwillingness to enforce existing regulations, has led to a general reluctance to address the issue of waste management.

Once plastic breaks down into micro and nanoparticles, it primarily ends up in the water, from where it enters the bodies of humans, plants, and animals. Senior Research Associate Maja Raković noted that the Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković maintains a relational database on river pollution in the Danube basin, which is updated daily with precise data. This database could serve as a foundation for further research on the impact of microplastics on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Large quantities of plastic are present in 63 percent of everyday products, with its proportion ranging from 15 percent to 50 percent.

„The most common way humans are exposed to harmful plastic substances is through skin contact (via clothing, cosmetics, and hygiene products containing these particles). Long-term exposure, even at low intensity, is key to understanding how these substances accumulate in the human body”, warned Branislava Matić from the Institute of Public Health of Serbia Dr Milan Jovanović Batut.

Foto: WWF

Another major water-related issue caused by climate change is water blooming, which leads to the proliferation of cyanobacteria. Without first acknowledging that nearly all surface waters are affected by this issue, followed by proper and continuous monitoring and ultimately timely interventions by public water treatment companies, disruptions in water supply systems become inevitable. The most recent incident occurred in Užice, but this case also demonstrated how a crisis led to the redefinition of operational processes to prevent similar situations in the future. Marija Simić Savić from the association Ekomar emphasized that it is crucial to encourage all authorities responsible for water management to conduct regular and proper monitoring to ensure an uninterrupted water supply and prevent potential crises.

„Environmental issues are the greatest generational battle. I urge all actors, both institutional and non-institutional, not to lose enthusiasm and to continue upholding the principles of networking, to which forums like this significantly contribute”, stated Mihailo Vesović, Director of the Sector for Strategic Analysis, Services, and Internationalization at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, during the opening of the Forum.

The WWF Environmental Policy Forum was organized at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and implemented as part of the Safe Nature and Climate project, which was financially supported by the European Commission. The project’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations in Serbia that focus on environmental protection and climate change.

WWF

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Summer Vacation 2025 – Would You Consider Traveling to Space for 55 Million Dollars?

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik AI)

There are just under two months left until the start of what is, for many, the most beloved season – summer. Have you already chosen your vacation destination for this year? If not, allow me to present a rather unusual one – space. Let me share a more specific offer. A commercial space company is offering a short flight at an altitude of about 100 kilometers, to the internationally recognized boundary of space, known as the Kármán line. The price for this journey is a modest 250,000 dollars per person, but if you’re lucky, you might snag a last-minute deal with a discount.

If you’re interested in a more exclusive adventure, a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is highly recommended. This is a longer journey, at an altitude of around 400 kilometers, and the price tag is 55 million dollars.

If you choose to go with a more accessible and familiar destination this year, I completely understand and support you – I’ve made a similar choice myself. However, while we await our vacations, new adventures, and memories to be made, let’s take a moment to explore space tourism. Who knows, it might one day become our travel destination of choice.

When Did Space Tourism Begin?

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik AI)

It’s been quite some time since space tourism was confined to the realm of science fiction. The first private citizen to travel into space was American businessman Dennis Tito, who began his journey on April 30, 2001. Although NASA was skeptical, Russia made his flight possible via the Soyuz rocket, which reached the International Space Station. Subsequent trips took place in 2002, 2005, and 2006.

The commercialization of space tourism is supported by the ambitious plans of several companies, which are announcing the development of suborbital spacecraft – vehicles that allow passengers to experience a brief time in space without entering orbit around Earth. There are also plans to build orbital cities – space stations that could function as hotels, research centers, or even long-term residences, constantly circling our planet.

Although space tourism has the potential to become a profitable new industry, there are challenges to its full realization, such as passenger safety and the development of reliable, reusable launch technology.

The Challenge – Negative Environmental Impact

This topic certainly offers plenty of fascinating angles to explore, but what remains most important in my view is – its environmental impact.

Research I’ve come across shows that rockets release large amounts of water vapor into the upper layers of the atmosphere, which can contribute to warming, especially because these layers naturally contain very little moisture. In addition, rocket exhaust gases convert nitrogen into nitrogen oxides – powerful greenhouse gases that remain in the stratosphere and mesosphere for extended periods. The climate effects of these gases are still not fully understood. Interestingly, some scientists jokingly refer to these high altitudes as the “ignorosphere,” pointing out our limited understanding of pollution consequences at these levels.

A particular challenge is the black carbon (soot) left behind by rockets. Although it makes up a small portion of total emissions, it can remain in the stratosphere for up to four years. Its negative impact lies in absorbing sunlight and releasing it as heat, further warming the air.

Currently, rocket traffic produces about two percent of the emissions of the aviation industry. However, the rapid development of space tourism could significantly increase that percentage and its climate impact. Moreover, studies indicate that black soot could slow air circulation and damage the ozone layer, which has only recently started to recover.

That’s why space tourism, although young and full of potential, must invest in sustainability. Journeys to the stars must not outshine the most important star of all – our planet Earth, which remains the only true home we have.

Katarina Vuinac

Bulgaria Announces New Oil and Gas Exploration in the Black Sea

Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (catmoz)

At a ceremony held at the Council of Ministers, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov signed an agreement for the exploration and search for oil and natural gas in Block 1-26 Han Tervel. On this occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized that Bulgaria is positioning itself among the countries actively developing the untapped natural potential of the Black Sea seabed.

He added that this exploration effort contributes to both national and European energy security, as well as to the diversification of energy sources.

The exploration will involve the application of cutting-edge technologies, including supercomputers and artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister noted that Shell’s involvement in the project indicates the tremendous potential for the development of Bulgaria’s own energy reserves.

Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, stated that these exploration efforts in the Black Sea represent another important step toward unlocking the country’s domestic exploitation potential.

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The Minister emphasized that this will contribute to achieving the country’s energy independence—one of the government’s key priorities—and added that a direct benefit for Bulgarian citizens would be that, in the event of discovery, up to 30 percent of the revenue would remain with the state through concession fees.

Shell stated that their priority is to carry out operations safely and in full compliance with Bulgarian legislation.

„Shell Exploration & Production’s work program includes comprehensive geological and geophysical activities, including new 3D seismic surveys, seismic data processing and interpretation, area potential assessment, and other activities”, according to the website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy.

Through financial support, Shell will also provide educational programs to offer additional training for Bulgarian experts in oil and natural gas exploration and production.

Energy portal

Four Solar Power Plants in Prnjavor For New Green Kilowatts

Photo: MT-KOMEX BH

Soon, new kilowatts of green energy will begin to be produced in the town of Prnjavor, where preparatory works are underway for the construction of four solar power plants on the ground. The winter months were used to carry out earthworks – marking the terrain, digging and laying cables, and the progress of the works is going according to plan.

Photo: MT-KOMEX BH

Power plants Prosjek 1, Prosjek 2, Prosjek 3, and Prosjek 4 each have a capacity of 149.26 kWp and will occupy a total area of around 13,500 square meters. They are being constructed in the town of Prnjavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the investor is Solo Verde. z

The locations of the power plants are easily accessible via the local access road, and the well-developed power infrastructure in this area enables efficient connection to the grid. The new plants are planned to be connected to the medium-voltage grid via a dedicated transformer station, ensuring a stable supply and maximum utilization of solar energy.

Solar panels from AIKO Solar and inverter systems from Huawei will be used for the construction of solar power plants, and other equipment will come from world-famous brands that guarantee long-term use and stable electricity production. The panels will be placed on an aluminum and steel structure oriented towards the south at a tilt angle of 28 degrees. The project envisages a basic primary steel structure driven into the ground.

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Each of the power plants consists of 234 panels with a power of 640 Wp and three inverters with a power of 50 kW. The construction of Prosjek 1, Prosjek 2, Prosjek 3, and Prosjek 4 solar power plants was entrusted to the company MT-KOMEX BH, a renowned leader in renewable energy sources. With years of experience, the company’s team of skilled engineers and installers applies state-ofthe-art technical solutions to ensure maximum efficiency and long-term reliability of the system.

– The terrain where the solar power plants are being built is challenging as it is inclined towards the north, which is not ideal for the installation of solar panels. However, after a detailed analysis, the optimal panel tilt angle and the distance between the rows were determined so that they would not be shaded, which can cause reduced production. Based on the above, the layout of the solar power plants was designed to ensure the best utilization of the plot – said Bojan Lazić, the project engineer.

Photo: MT-KOMEX BH

Thanks to the expertise and dedication of MT-KOMEX BH, the investor has been able to optimally use the potential of this location with top-notch implementation of all project segments – from design and preparatory works to final installation and grid connection.

According to the data, the average annual electricity production per solar power plant, accounting for losses, is 211,897 kWh. The estimated annual production of solar power plants was obtained using software packages.

With the completion of these projects, Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive new kilowatts of green energy. Energy from renewable sources enables economic growth, improves the quality of life, and contributes to the fight against climate change. One of the main advantages of solar power plants is their ability to reduce the emission of harmful gases because they do not use fossil fuels to operate. The installation of solar panels is becoming increasingly affordable, and their performance continues to improve, contributing to global efforts to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Serbia Introduces European Standards for the Quality of Pellets and Briquettes

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (moses)

For the first time, Serbia has adopted a Rulebook on Solid Fuels from Wood Biomass, establishing systematic regulations for the quality of pellets and briquettes on the domestic market. With this regulation, Serbia aligns with European Union standards and significantly enhances the protection of public health and the environment, according to a statement from the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

The Rulebook clearly defines technical standards, mandatory laboratory analyses, rules for conformity assessment and product labeling, as well as parameters that directly affect human health and air quality.

From now on, only high-quality pellets and briquettes that meet strict requirements regarding physical and chemical properties—such as size, shape, durability, calorific value, moisture content, and ash content—will be allowed on the market.

Particular attention has been given to the control of harmful and toxic elements, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, sulfur, and nitrogen, marking an important step toward safer use of wood biomass as an energy source.

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Producers and importers of wood fuels are required to conduct quality control and obtain a Declaration of Conformity from an authorized body before placing products on the market.

The adoption of this Rulebook is the result of the engagement of the Group for Renewable Energy Sources and Primary Wood Processing, as well as the effective initiative of the Center for Economic Initiatives and Quick Solutions of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC).

“By adopting the Rulebook, conditions are created for healthy and fair market competition, stronger consumer protection, promotion of sustainable development of the biomass sector—the largest renewable energy resource in Serbia—as well as improvement of quality control of energy materials from domestic sources,” stated the SCC.

Based on the initiative of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Mining and Energy formed a working group in June 2024 to draft the Rulebook. The process involved representatives of competent institutions, experts, and the private sector, and through a broad consultative process, the final text was adopted and officially published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 31/2025, on April 11, 2025.

Energy portal

Installation of All Wind Turbines Completed in Kostolac

Photo: EPS

Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has completed the installation of all 20 wind turbines within its first wind farm in Kostolac, marking the entry of this significant project into its final phase. The wind turbines, standing 179 meters tall, are distributed across former open-pit mines and disposal sites, making this project a prime example of repurposing exploited mining areas into renewable energy facilities.

The total capacity of the wind farm is 66 MW, with an expected annual production of approximately 187 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is enough to supply around 30,000 households in Serbia. Each wind turbine has a capacity of 3.3 MW. In addition to their installation, construction of a substation, switchgear, and internal cable network within the wind farm is still pending, according to a statement from EPS.

The project is financed through a €110 million loan from the German Development Bank KfW, with an additional €30 million provided via the WBIF fund. The wind farm is expected to be connected to the power grid by the end of this year.

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In parallel with the completion of the wind farm, all solar panels have been installed at the “Petka” solar power plant, also located in Kostolac. This facility is expected to be connected to the grid by the end of May, as explained by EPS General Director Dušan Živković in an interview for RTS.

Alongside these projects, preparations are underway for another strategic endeavor—the construction of the reversible hydroelectric power plant “Bistrica.”

With a coal stockpile of 1.7 million tons at thermal power plant depots and reservoir capacities of 400 GWh, EPS also plans to increase reserves over the next month—by 10 percent in coal depots and by 20 percent in reservoirs—to further enhance energy security, Živković added.

Energy portal

Learning Under the Canopy: Belgraders Attend Tree Workshop by the Danube

Photo: EP

A Sunday afternoon on the Zemun Quay was marked by nature, learning, and community spirit. Citizens had the opportunity to spend the day outdoors, learning about the trees that inhabit this riverside area.

Photo: EP

The first workshop was organized by the Community for Nature’s Rights Belgrade, aiming to teach Belgraders how to recognize and map trees in their surroundings. The idea is to gradually build collective awareness of the importance of preserving urban nature, while also fostering individual responsibility.

“To protect nature, we must first understand it,” was the key message echoed throughout the workshop. Helping participants in this process was forestry expert Stefan Vukić from the Braničevo Initiative, who introduced them to the most important tree species growing along the Zemun Quay.

Recognizing tree species is not only important for knowledge but also serves as the first step toward their protection. As emphasized during the workshop, some trees are especially valuable and at the same time endangered—whether due to urban development, poor maintenance, or the replacement of native species with more economical hybrids.

According to Serbia’s National Forest Inventory (2008), about 30 percent of the country is forested. The most widespread native species is the beech (40 percent ), followed by oak (25 percent ), which is often found in riverbank areas. However, forests in these zones only cover 22,400 hectares – just 0.001 percent of Serbia’s territory – making them extremely rare and vulnerable. A similar situation exists with poplars, which cover about 48,000 hectares (0.2 percent).

Globally, as much as 90 percent of native forests are under some degree of threat.

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During a walk and hands-on demonstration, participants learned how tree species naturally arrange themselves from the riverbank inland: white willows dominate closest to the water, followed by poplars, then oaks. Among the highlighted species was the native black poplar, recognizable by its prominent knots.

Photo: EP

“It’s also called janj topola or mazer. When you see those irregularly shaped, patterned wooden tables at fairs – that’s black poplar. That’s why it’s become very endangered, and it’s difficult to regenerate naturally,” explained Stefan.

In contrast, there is the Canadian poplar, a hybrid of the American and native black poplar. While it grows quickly and is used in industry for making crates and pallets, it holds little ecological value and often threatens the survival of native species.

As for willows on Great War Island, the dominant species in this area is the white willow, followed by the brittle willow, and many shrubby forms are also present – including crack willow, almond willow, goat willow, marsh willow, and others. It is especially important to note that both willows and poplars have phytoremediation properties – the ability to purify soil and improve environmental quality.

Participants also had the chance to observe poor urban greenery management practices – particularly the “topping” method of pruning. This outdated practice, largely abandoned worldwide, shortens trees’ lifespans and exposes them to additional stress.

The Siberian elm was also spotted on the quay – a fast-growing tree that provides good shade and is used as a windbreak due to its ability to be planted densely.

The workshop demonstrated how crucial it is for the city to reconnect with its own nature – to encourage citizens to observe, recognize, and understand what grows around them.

Katarina Vuinac

Turkey’s Solar and Wind Potential on the Rise

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (mrganso)

The combined share of wind and solar energy in Turkey’s electricity generation reached 18 percent last year, according to Ember’s Turkey Electricity Review 2025, published for the fourth consecutive year, which analyzes electricity generation and consumption data.

The increase in installed solar energy capacity in Turkey has started to reflect in the overall share of solar power in electricity production. Wind energy remained stable, while hydropower generation continued to fluctuate due to periods of drought.

In 2024, solar electricity generation in Turkey increased by 7.3 TWh, representing a 39 percent jump compared to the previous year. This one-year growth nearly reached the entire solar production level of 2018 (7.8 TWh).

The report reveals that the key factor enabling this leap was the opening of pathways for the construction of self-consumption solar power plants. The 7.3 TWh increase in solar production accounted for 32 percent of the total increase in electricity generation.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (arteum-ro)

The highest output was recorded in June, when 3.2 TWh was produced. The share of solar energy in Turkey’s electricity generation reached 7.5 percent in 2024, compared to 5.7 percent in 2023.

„Compared to the 20 European countries with the highest electricity consumption, Turkey in 2024 surpassed Switzerland in terms of solar energy share but remained behind Romania. Romania doubled its solar share from 3.9 percent in 2023 to 7.8 percent in 2024”, the report states.

In comparison to countries with similar solar potential such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece – where solar energy accounts for 14 to 22 percent of electricity generation – Turkey still lags behind. Poland overtook Turkey in this metric last year, reaching a 9 percent share in 2024.

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Slowed Growth in Wind Energy

Electricity generation from wind grew by only 5 percent between 2022 and 2024, while capacity increased by 13 percent. Due to the slow construction of new wind farms and growing electricity demand, the share of wind power in total production showed only marginal growth – reaching 10.7 percent in 2024, up from 10.6 percent in 2023.

Nevertheless, Turkey still outperforms Norway, Italy, and France in terms of the share of wind energy in electricity generation in 2024.

Across Europe, a decline in new wind installations is observed, mainly due to rising turbine installation costs.

Turkey’s targets for 2035, presented during COP29, envision a fourfold increase in current wind and solar power capacity. If achieved, the share of fossil fuels in electricity generation could fall below 20 percent, while wind and solar power could jointly reach 49 percent.

Jasna Dragojević

Challenges and Opportunities for Montenegro on the Path to a Circular Economy

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (pixelRaw)

Countries in the region are making significant strides in implementing a circular economy (CE), which is vital for reducing dependence on primary resources, boosting competitiveness, and protecting the environment. We spoke with Milena Rmuš, Secretary of the Coordinating Committee for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, about how the country gradually embraces circular principles, tackles specific challenges, and develops key strategies and initiatives to achieve sustainable development.

Q: How would you describe Montenegro’s progress in transitioning to a circular economy? What are the key challenges, and what has been the most significant achievement so far? What are the focus areas?

A: Montenegro has made some progress in transitioning to a circular economy, but it still faces a series of structural challenges that slow down its implementation. Aligning with European regulations provides a framework for further reforms, but the fundamental transformation of the economic system and business models is happening gradually.

Photo: courtesy of Milena Rmuš

The main obstacles include underdeveloped waste management and recycling infrastructure, while the capacity for processing secondary raw materials is limited. This makes closing material loops difficult and increases dependence on imported primary resources. Additionally, Montenegro generates a significant amount of municipal waste, most of which ends up in landfills, with recycling rates remaining below the European average.

Financial constraints, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, hinder the adoption of circular business models. Incentive mechanisms and access to green financing are at a very low level. Furthermore, awareness among businesses and citizens about the benefits of circular transition is still unsatisfactory. A lack of education, limited access to information, and weak promotion of CE contribute to this issue. Targeting campaigns and integrating CE principles into educational programmes are essential to overcome this challenge.

Despite these challenges, Montenegro has made progress by improving the legislative framework in waste management, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction, laying the foundation for further CE development. Additionally, active regional cooperation within the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans has enabled knowledge and experience exchange.

The key focus areas for CE in Montenegro include sectors with high potential for circular practices, as well as horizontal policies that support the efficient integration of circular principles into economic flows. Given the specific characteristics of the national economy, particular attention and action are required in the agriculture, tourism, and construction sectors.

Tourism contributes significantly to GDP but generates large amounts of waste, resource consumption, and CO2 emissions. In recent years, sustainability initiatives have improved the reputation of tourist destinations and attracted more visitors, while hotels have obtained prestigious Green Key certifications. The tourism sector has become an essential driver of the circular economy by introducing innovative technologies for resource monitoring and optimization and using renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, the agri-food sector holds excellent potential for circular solutions, especially given Montenegro’s high dependence on imported food products and raw materials. The focus is on producing organic, local, and healthy food using environmentally friendly practices and valorising bio-waste.

The construction sector in Montenegro faces challenges related to high CO2 emissions, low energy efficiency of buildings, and unstructured management of construction waste. This makes further efforts necessary for the implementation of sustainable construction practices.

IN FOCUS:

Q: How would you assess the importance of Montenegro’s 2022 Circular Economy Roadmap and the National Circular Economy Strategy until 2030?

A: Montenegro’s Circular Economy Roadmap from 2022 is the first document to create a framework for integrating circular principles into economic, regulatory, and institutional processes and aligning them with EU policies. Its implementation helps reduce reliance on imported raw materials, develop the secondary raw materials market, create an enabling regulatory environment, and strengthen economic competitiveness.

The document provides guidelines for priority sectors and outlines further steps, emphasizing public policies and business models. Sector-specific and local roadmaps that precisely identify challenges and opportunities within specific industries and regions are essential to enhancing CE implementation.

Based on the recommendations from the Roadmap, the Government of Montenegro in 2022 adopted the National Circular Economy Strategy until 2030, together with the Action Plan for 2023-2024. This comprehensive framework integrates CE into national development policies, redefines resource policy, industrial production, and waste management, and aims to create a resilient, competitive, and economically sustainable system. The action plans define concrete measures and resource allocation to ensure the transition is measurable, adaptable, and aligned with market and regulatory changes. The strategy identifies key sectors for the application of circular principles, including the agri-food, forestry, construction, and tourism sectors, while strengthening horizontal policies in the areas of education, innovation, and energy efficiency.

Interview by Katarina Vuinac

The inteview was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Drop in Rare Earth Imports to the EU – A Shift in Supply Strategy?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (matthew-de-livera)

In 2024, the European Union imported 12,900 tonnes of rare earth elements, marking a 29.3 percent decrease compared to the previous year. At the same time, exports remained relatively stable at 5,500 tonnes, down just 0.8 percent. These figures from Eurostat suggest a gradual restructuring of a market known for its high supply risk.

Despite their name, rare earth elements—named after their oxides—are not truly rare in the Earth’s crust. However, economically viable concentrations occur in only a few regions. Through the new Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU aims to diversify imports, boost domestic processing and recycling, and secure a stable supply chain to support the green and digital transition.

Rare earth elements are essential to modern technologies. They are used in green energy, particularly in wind turbines, batteries, and magnets for electric vehicles; in smart devices such as screens, speakers, and vibration motors in phones and laptops; in medicine for MRI contrast agents, laser scalpels, and certain cancer treatments; and in aerospace and defense technologies.

However, securing a supply of these metals poses significant challenges. More than 60 percent of global mining and over 80 percent of processing takes place in China, creating a high geopolitical risk.

More:

According to Eurostat data, China remained the EU’s largest supplier in 2024, delivering 6,000 tonnes or 46.3 percent of total imports. Still, its market share is gradually declining as the EU ramps up diversification efforts. Russia ranked second with 3,700 tonnes (28.4 percent), followed by Malaysia with 2,600 tonnes (19.9 percent). The drop in China’s share aligns with the goals of the Critical Raw Materials Act, which came into force on May 23, 2024. The Act sets targets for 2030: at least 10 percent of demand to be met by domestic extraction, 40 percent by EU-based processing, and 25 percent through recycling.

This group includes 17 metals crucial to high-tech applications—from magnets in electric vehicles and wind turbines to laser scalpels and satellite navigation systems.

Exports Remain Stable

The minimal drop in exports (‑0.8 percent) indicates that Europe’s processing capacities still find buyers on the global market. However, a large share of exports consists of semi-processed or lower-purity forms of the metals, underscoring the need to develop advanced separation and refining facilities within the EU.

One of the solutions the EU is pursuing involves memorandums of understanding with Canada, Australia, and Western Balkan countries to secure stable raw material supply chains.

Energy portal

Coal Use at Its Lowest in the Past 20 Years

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Dominik Vanyi)

Electricity production from coal reached its lowest level in the past two decades last year, totaling 44 gigawatts (GW), marking a strong signal for the continued decline in the use of the most harmful fossil fuel, according to the annual report by Global Energy Monitor.

The report, titled “Boom and Bust Coal”, tracks nearly every coal-fired power plant and the plans for their construction across the globe.

Data shows that the number of coal plants worldwide increased by less than one percent in 2024, with a net growth of 18.8 GW, as 25.2 GW of capacity was retired.

Only eight countries proposed new coal power plants in 2024, compared to twelve in 2023. Among the 38 developed member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the number of proposals for new coal plants dropped from 142 in 2015 to just five today.

New coal plant proposals have declined significantly in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia being the only country in the region to propose new ones.

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Latin America is nearing a complete halt in proposing new coal-fired power plants – only Brazil and Honduras put forward projects that have remained stagnant for years. Panama pledged in 2024 to completely eliminate coal from its energy mix by 2026.

On the other hand, China recorded a record number of coal plant construction starts, continuing the wave of permit issuances from the 2022–2023 period.

India set a record for the number of new coal plant proposals in 2024, following renewed government support for coal despite years of slowdown.

In EU countries, the amount of retired coal capacity quadrupled compared to 2023 – from 2.7 GW to 11 GW – with Germany leading the way by shutting down 6.7 GW.

Elsewhere in Europe, the United Kingdom closed its last coal-fired power plant, becoming the sixth country to completely phase out coal from electricity production since the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.

Jasna Dragojević

In the Rock, Odor-Free and with Style – The Story of Henriksdal

Foto: OpenAI

If you thought Stockholm’s most exciting attractions were the old town, museums, and IKEA, I hate to disappoint (or maybe delight) you – the real marvel lies underground, in the form of one of the world’s most spectacular wastewater treatment facilities.

When the city began expanding rapidly in the second half of the 19th century, the quality of Lake Mälaren – Stockholm’s main water source – was seriously compromised. It didn’t take long for the residents to realize they needed a serious wastewater solution to protect public health, and that’s when Henriksdal stepped onto the scene.

This engineering masterpiece was built back in the 1930s, carved directly into solid rock. But Henriksdal’s true marvel isn’t just that it’s underground – it’s how it was designed. Instead of sprawling across Stockholm’s precious surface area, the clever Swedes thought: “Why don’t we build it vertically… but downward?” And so, the facility was spread over multiple levels inside the rock – like an underground layer cake for treating wastewater.

And you know what else is brilliant? Because the basins were quite literally blasted from the rock (yes, they used explosives), they could make them much deeper than if they had been built above ground. And the best part? Instead of expensive concrete walls – they used the bare rock itself! Nature as a building material. Environmentally friendly and surprisingly cost-effective – it turned out that digging through solid rock was actually cheaper than building on the surface.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Adam Gavlak)

To make it even more interesting – the plant is so discreet that you could literally live above it and have no idea what’s happening beneath your feet. There are no unpleasant smells, everything is enclosed, quiet, and clean. In fact, back in the 1960s, they built the entire Henriksdalsringen residential neighborhood right on top of the facility.

As Stockholm continued to grow, so did Henriksdal. Its capacity doubled, the basins grew deeper, and by the 1990s, they decided to deepen the reservoirs even further – from five to twelve meters.

Today, Henriksdal, together with the neighboring Sickla facility, serves a staggering 800,000 people. And that’s not all – a massive expansion is currently underway under the “Stockholm Future Wastewater Treatment” project (or as I like to call it – Mission: Cleanpossible). The plan is to upgrade everything to serve up to 1.6 million people and to phase out older facilities, like the one in Bromma.

To make this happen, new underground tunnels are being built – real sewer highways. The most impressive is the Bromma tunnel – a 14-kilometer-long marvel, blasted beneath the city, under the lake, and through bedrock, all the way to the Sickla facility. What’s especially important is that these tunnels are designed to last at least 100 years.

In the end, I have to admit – this isn’t just an engineering feat. It’s a shining example of human ingenuity that enables the most efficient, quiet, and clean wastewater treatment possible.

So, next time you’re in Stockholm, strolling through the Henriksdalsringen neighborhood, remember – there’s an entire world beneath your feet, working tirelessly, day and night, to make sure everything that goes down the drain is treated in the best possible way.

And that, my friends, is what I call the magic of urban life.

Milena Maglovski

First DC Chargers in Cities Across Serbia

Photo: Charge&GO

Drivers in Serbia often face dilemmas when it comes to choosing electric vehicles. This ambiguity usually stems from the perception that adequate infrastructure is lacking, leading many to conclude that electric cars still pose too much risk despite their considerable benefits. It is also common for electric vehicle users who are in transit or visiting the country for business purposes to doubt the availability and efficiency of the domestic charging network.

The readiness of our charging infrastructure depends on many stakeholders, including companies that provide specific services in developing the charging network. Their initiative and operation can significantly influence perceptions about the risks and practicality of electric vehicles.

One of the key players in the development of infrastructure is the company Charge&GO, which is starting this year with a lot of good news and important plans.

DC Chargers – from Kikinda to Prokuplje

Charge&GO recently launched two new chargers and then announced the installation of DC chargers in several cities across Serbia that previously did not have such equipment.

Talking about two new and active DC chargers, Charge&GO has installed one charger in the northern part of the country and the other in the south. An ultra-fast DC charger with a power of 150 kW with two CCS connectors was installed at the Super Vero parking lot in Novi Sad. The second installed charger, with a power of 60 kW with CCS connectors, is located within the Penta Park in Prokuplje and is the first DC charger in this city.

IN FOCUS:

Photo: Charge&GO

As for the plans for other cities, the company intends to install one DC charger in the following locations before the summer, i.e., during the first half of the year: Kragujevac, Loznica, Užice, Kraljevo, Jagodina, Kikinda, and Belgrade—on the Zrenjanin-Belgrade road. Up to two DC chargers are planned to be installed in some locations in the coming months, with one of the guaranteed locations being Zrenjanin.

It is very important to highlight that Kikinda, Loznica, Užice, and Jagodina are getting their first DC charger within the network, which will significantly contribute to the further development of infrastructure in the North Banat, Mačva, Zlatibor, and Pomoravlje District. Unlike Belgrade, which already has a solid number of chargers and developed supporting infrastructure, e-mobility has yet to become a part of everyday life in other cities. That is why every location is equally important in connecting all parts of Serbia, ensuring more equal access to modern traffic solutions.

When considering the charging process for electric cars, the key factor for most users is the speed at which the vehicle’s battery can be charged. Much like water through a garden hose requiring higher pressure for faster flow – a higher voltage allows the car to charge faster. Essentially, the efficiency of a charging station depends on its ability to quickly and efficiently transfer electricity to the vehicle’s battery. Therefore, the chargers that Charge&GO will install in the next series will provide users with fast and efficient service in the eight mentioned cities of Serbia, as they are DC chargers. We should not forget the fact that the amount of power the vehicle will draw depends on the battery in the vehicle. That is, the battery has control over the charging process itself.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

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