en.Wedoany.com Reported - The city of Novi Sad in Serbia is advancing the development of geothermal heating in the Miseluk neighborhood, planning to build a 30 MW geothermal plant there, with an initial 11 MW start-up phase becoming operational in 2027 or 2028. Novi Sad Mayor Zarko Mićin stated that the Central de Calefacción del Distrito de Novi Sad, the company responsible for the project, has completed geological studies and drilled the first exploration well, with a second well currently being drilled. The district heating pipeline networks for Miseluk Zones 3 and 4 have been fully constructed.

According to Serbia's National Energy and Climate Plan, the country aims to increase the share of renewable energy from 26.3% to at least 33.6% by 2030. Serbia's total geothermal potential is estimated at approximately 800 MW, and geothermal energy is regarded as a key component in achieving this target.

The project is part of the "Geothermal Energy in Serbia" initiative, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Slovak government, and carried out in cooperation with Serbia's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Mining and Energy. The Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic has provided over $200,000 in funding for the initiative.

Michal Pavúk, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Serbia, stated that the energy sector is a cornerstone of the close relations between Slovakia and Serbia, with both countries cooperating in the development of various energy sources in the renewable energy field, including waste biomass, solar energy, and geothermal energy. He noted that the close cooperation between Slovakia and the UNDP on projects in this field has yielded results, ensuring the efficient use of resources provided by the Slovak government.

Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia, stated that the initiative aims to create conditions for the widespread application of geothermal energy in Serbia. The project being implemented in Miseluk will serve as a model for other Serbian cities to follow in transitioning to more sustainable and resilient energy systems, aligned with national climate goals and the European Green Deal.