Montenegro finds itself at a key inflection point. The only coal-fired thermal power plant in the country, Yugoslav Thermal Power Plant Pljevlja (TPP Pljevlja), with an installed capacity of about 225 MW, has for decades been the backbone of domestic generation and is now scheduled for gradual shutdown. (OECD) Its decommissioning raises fundamental questions about […]
Using coal fundamentals in short-term spread strategies in SEE power markets Read More »
A trader’s guide to converting lignite production signals into actionable price intelligence Short-term electricity trading in South-East Europe revolves around two fundamental realities: the physical nature of the grid and the behaviour of the generating fleet. Among all conventional technologies, coal remains the single most structurally influential asset class across the region. Its importance is
Coal production in South-East Europe remains a defining component of the region’s energy system. Unlike international hard-coal markets, SEE coal is primarily lignite, mined domestically and consumed domestically in power plants located close to the pits. The economics, quality, logistics and production reliability of this lignite sector have substantial implications for electricity markets, price formation
Coal-fired power plants remain central to the electricity systems of South-East Europe, particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania and Bulgaria. These units were built in an era when baseload stability mattered more than flexibility, when domestic lignite was cheap and abundant, and when environmental duties were minimal. They still produce a large share
Serbia’s long-term energy vision is increasingly shaped by the pressures of decarbonization, European integration, regional competition and the emerging economics of renewable power. Yet the country is confronting a reality that many policymakers hesitate to state openly: a rapid phase-out of coal is not realistically achievable under current system conditions. This sentiment, echoed by energy experts
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Coal shortages force another shutdown at TPP Ugljevik Read More »
The Ugljevik thermal power plant has once again been forced to shut down after exhausting its coal supplies, with the unit disconnected from the grid on the evening of 7 December. Acting director of RiTE Ugljevik, Žarko Novaković, confirmed that the plant remains offline and emphasized that neither the facility nor its coal storage sites
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ugljevik coal mine and thermal power plant update Read More »
The Ugljevik coal mine and thermal power plant (RiTE Ugljevik) has not yet started extracting coal from the Ugljevik-Istok 2 deposit, as the company’s shareholders have not yet approved all required resolutions. According to RS Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Djokic, a shareholders’ assembly is scheduled for 16 December, where the company must formally
Coalmine and thermal power plant (RiTE) Ugljevik is set to borrow approximately €10 million, with the Government of the Republic of Srpska (RS) preparing to approve both the loan and its state guarantee. The facility plans to use the five-year loan primarily to refinance existing obligations, according to the latest government session. The loan decision
For years, Serbia’s energy landscape appeared frozen in time. Coal dominated generation, hydropower provided stability, and the idea of large-scale renewable deployment felt distant. Political caution, regulatory hesitation and infrastructural bottlenecks slowed momentum. Yet beneath the surface, a transformation was quietly gathering force. Over the past five years, Serbia has entered a phase that would
Slovenia finalizes legal path for Velenje mine shutdown ahead of 2033 coal exit Read More »
The Slovenian Government has approved a draft law outlining the gradual shutdown of the Velenje coalmine, marking a major step toward fulfilling the country’s pledge to phase out coal by 2033. Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Minister Jože Novak explained that the proposal has been under development for an extended period, and the Ministry aims
