At the sitting on 24 December, the members of the Industry Committee discussed the Energy Sector Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia by 2015.

The sitting was chaired by Milorad Buha, Committee Chairman, and attended by representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Energy Agency, Energy Efficiency Agency, public enterprises from the energy production sector, independent consultants and representatives of the non-government sector.

Nebojsa Ceran, Deputy Chairman of the Committee and Director of PE Kolubara briefed the Committee members on the business dealings of the public enterprise and the directions of its further development, while the BD Chairman of PE Serbian Electric Power presented its business transactions and development plans. Nikola Rajakovic, State Secretary with the Ministry of Energy and Mining presented the modifications of the Energy Sector Development Strategy.

The discussion focused on the need to modify the existing and pass a new Energy Sector Development Strategy in view of the implementation of the energy community contract, privatisation of NIS, construction of the southern flow and trans oil pipeline. The new strategy should be passed by the end of 2010 on account of limited resources, increased energy expenditure, general economic situation, as well as implementation of environmental protection standards. It was stressed that particular attention should be paid to the construction of energy production facilities through the use of renewable resources, sustainable development and connection between energy production and the development of agriculture, construction, water management and other economic branches. It was proposed to commence drafting a short-term energy plan and long-term energy strategy that would include the issues of privatisation, investment and possible concession. The proposals voiced in the discussion shall be forwarded to the ministries in charge to provide grounds for the adoption of a decision to modify the existing Energy Sector Development Strategy.

The Committee sitting was held at the Administrative Building of PE Kolubara, Tamnava open pit, western field.