The number of interested customers for ZelEPS is constantly growing
Green energy sold with a guarantee of origin in 2020 was ten times higher than in 2019. The amount contracted for this year is currently 50 percent higher than in 2020.
Green energy use is increasingly becoming focal point of business operations, and “Elektroprivreda Srbije” has been contributing for more than two years to raising awareness of renewable energy sources by using the ZelEPS package. The ZelEPS package represents energy supply from renewable sources that has a guarantee of origin.
Bratislav Dzombic, director of the Sector for Open Market Development in “EPS Snabdevanje”, presented the concept of the ZelEPS package to the open market customers from Belgrade, Vojvodina and City of Nis. More than 100 eminent commercial customers have learned that the ZelEPS package guarantees the ecological origin of electricity, while customers also receive e-document proving that electricity is produced using only renewable energy sources.
Bojana Padjen, Deputy Head of the City Administration for Environmental Protection of Novi Sad, on behalf of the mayor of Novi Sad Milos Vucevic, presented to the participants of the forum on ZelEPS package the most important projects of Novi Sad concerning energy efficiency and green energy.
– It is important that socially responsible customers who decide to buy green energy offered by Elektroprivreda Srbije are aware that they are participating in building a healthier environment through ecological business and thus respect the principles of sustainable development – Padjen declared.
She announced energy efficiency plan development for 2022 and energy efficiency program that will define goals, guidelines and activities that will consider the current state of energy efficiency in Novi Sad and introduce new measures and decisions in order to make progress in this area in the upcoming period.
– The guarantee of origin can only be obtained by producers such as EPS whose production capacities are registered in the Register of Producers from Renewable Sources with the Ministry of Mining and Energy. At the request of the producer, the guarantee of origin is issued by the transmission system operator “Elektromreža Srbije”, and EMS became a full member of AIB (European Association of Issuing Bodies) in 2019 and the Serbian market is integrated into the EU market – Dzombic explained.
Bojan Gajic, energy manager of the City of Nis, addressed the participants of the forum on behalf of Dragana Sotirovski, mayor of Nis, and presented plans and ideas of this city regarding green energy and energy efficiency.
– The city of Nis is the only city in Serbia that signed the Covenant of Mayors, the largest international initiative of the European Commission, which was joined by more than 10,000 cities and municipalities from all over Europe. The city of Nis has fulfilled its obligation, which includes the preparation and submission of an action plan for sustainable energy development, and one of the activities is the procurement and use of green energy for public buildings and public lighting – said Gajic.
He also mentioned projects regarding solar potential use, as well as the preparation of an energy transition roadmap by 2050.
As a pioneer, two years ago EPS began selling green energy, and the first buyer of the ZelEPS package was Procredit Bank. In addition to the banks, EPS’ green energy has been purchased by the companies active in industrial production. Large companies such as “Lidl”, “Tigar”, “British American Tobacco”, “Zdravlje” from Leskovac, “Strauss Adriatic”, “Froneri Adriatic”, as well as many others, have recognized the importance of green energy.
– Contracts are also concluded as conventional ones. No additional paperwork is needed, the existing contract is not terminated, but is annexed with the same energy price with an additional 0.2 euros per megawatt-hour – said Dzombic.
The number of customers interested in ZelEPS is constantly growing. Green energy sold with a guarantee of origin in 2020 was ten times higher than in 2019. The amount contracted for this year is currently 50 percent higher than in 2020. With this “green” offer, the customers remain loyal to the largest power company in Serbia, and a number of them recognizes EPS’ efforts to keep up with the European Union and the world.
Tradition
Green energy production is part of the centuries-old tradition of EPS, originating from 19th century. EPS’ green energy is generated in 15 hydro power plants with the capacity of 3,015 megawatts, which is 38 percent of EPS’ power potential, while third of the total production is realized in hydro power plants. The use of other RES, such as wind and sunlight, is also planned.