Serbia plans solar conversions at Kolubara A and Morava coal plant sites, targeting commissioning in 2029

Serbia’s energy transition is moving from policy to project work, with two long-running coal-fired thermal power plants preparing to make way for renewable generation. The planned solar developments at the sites of TPP Kolubara A and TPP Morava signal both a practical shift away from coal and an early step in the country’s longer-term decarbonization pathway.

From aging coal assets to solar power sites

Kolubara A has been operating since the mid-20th century, while TPP Morava began shortly afterward. After more than half a century of continuous operation, their technical lifespan is nearing its end. Rather than being decommissioned into unused industrial areas, the ash disposal areas associated with both plants are planned to be repurposed for solar power generation.

Timeline, scale and investment estimates

Under Serbia’s updated energy development program, construction of the solar plants is scheduled for 2027 and 2028. Commissioning is expected in 2029. Together, the two projects are set to exceed 100 MW of combined installed capacity, with total investment estimated at around €93 million.

Energy security and fuel supply implications

The move also reflects a broader shift in Serbia’s approach to energy security. Solar power reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, which are increasingly exposed to global price swings and geopolitical risks. Once in operation, these facilities would not require fuel supply chains, a factor that can support long-term resilience for the power system.

Coal phase-out alignment toward 2050

The redevelopment of former coal infrastructure is positioned as an early element of Serbia’s coal phase-out strategy, aligned with national and international targets extending toward 2050 decarbonization goals. This direction is embedded in the country’s integrated energy and climate policy framework adopted in recent years.

Execution remains the key variable

While uncertainties persist around how quickly full decarbonization can be implemented in practice, converting existing coal-site infrastructure into renewable generation is widely viewed as a concrete milestone. Turning ash disposal areas into solar fields illustrates the structural direction of Serbia’s transition—though investment capacity constraints and policy execution challenges will likely influence how fast progress can be made.