The Ugljevik Mine and Thermal Power Plant are facing new problems in the production of electricity. Although the suspension of work was announced for the weekend, the plant is still connected to the power grid, but the administration warns that due to the lack of coal, a stoppage could soon become inevitable, BHRT writes.
The union RiTE Ugljevik confirmed to BHRT that the power plant is still working. They did not want to appear in front of the cameras, with the explanation that every day and hour of electricity production is important.
The management of the company states that the mine cannot provide sufficient quantities of coal for the smooth operation of the thermal power plant. An additional problem is the halted work on the Ugljevik Istok 2 project, where property rights prevent the continuation of activities.
Business is further complicated by blocked company accounts, and the management hopes that this problem will be solved soon. Every stoppage in production, however, increases the pressure on Elektroprivreda Republika Srpska, which has to purchase the missing electricity on the market.
According to the information from BHRT’s attachment, the price of electricity on the market reaches almost 200 euros per megawatt hour. Energy analyst Zoran Pavlović warns that the situation in the power sector is extremely difficult and that the consequences of problems in production ultimately affect the citizens.
The problems are not limited only to RiTE Ugljevik. Due to unfavorable hydrological conditions, the production of hydropower plants has been reduced, while the overhaul of the Hydroelectric Power Plants on Trebišnjica has been extended until the end of October. The electric power system of Republika Srpska currently relies most heavily on RiTE Gacko, yet even its output will not suffice to meet all needs.
Consequently, electricity imports will be unavoidable. A new suspension of operations at RiTE Ugljevik would further complicate the supply situation and increase costs for Republika Srpska’s electric power system.
