Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, In a Capital TV podcast in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Aleksandar Milić discussed the operational plans for the Stanari coal-fired power plant, the only privately-owned coal-fired plant in the Western Balkans. He stated that the facility plans to continue operating until around 2050, which aligns with the plant's coal reserves of 55 to 60 million tons.

The Stanari coal-fired power plant includes a coal mine and a 300-megawatt thermal power station, generating approximately 2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. The plant employs 1,200 workers and achieved a profit of 40 million euros last year. Milić noted that the plant primarily exports electricity due to greater demand and easier sales in foreign markets. However, sales strategies have been adjusted this year due to the European Union's introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tax.

He emphasized that the CBAM tax is currently around 80 euros per megawatt-hour, while the price on European exchanges is about 100 euros per megawatt-hour. Milić stated, "If you intend to sell one megawatt-hour of electricity for 100 euros, you must pay 80 euros in tax, meaning you only earn 20 euros, which is impossible." As a result, the company has redirected some of its surplus electricity to the domestic market.

Milić believes that pressure on fossil fuel energy production is being implemented too quickly, even though coal will eventually be replaced by alternative energy sources such as nuclear or renewable energy. He pointed out, "The pace of transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Europe is overly ambitious and has not brought any benefits. As coal-fired power plants close, energy becomes more expensive." The Stanari coal-fired power plant plans to continue operating to address the challenges of the energy transition.