Three deadlines for Belgrade's incoming government: excise duties on 8 November, NIS on 11 December, Russian gas on 31 December

Studentska lista, which won a majority in Serbia's recent parliamentary election, set out on 4 November, at a press conference in Belgrade, the energy deadlines the next government will face. According to BBC Serbian, the discussion covered the condition of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) at the start of the cold season, the sanctions on Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) and the gas contract with Russia.

The deadlines. Dejan Radivojević, a professor at the Faculty of Mining and Geology and a candidate on the list, noted that the government's decision to cut fuel excise duties by 25% expires on 8 November; without an extension, petrol could rise by more than 21 dinars per litre and diesel by more than 22 dinars. The last short-term gas arrangement with Russia expires on 31 December, and the OFAC licences allowing NIS to operate and MOL to negotiate its takeover of the company are valid until 11 December, according to Balkan Green Energy News. Radivojević said Serbia needs a multi-year gas arrangement alongside alternative sources.

The power system. Stevan Cvetićanin, a professor at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, described the power system as "neglected" and "vulnerable", citing reliance on thermal power plants, insufficient modernisation and delayed overhauls, with electricity imports as the result. He gave as examples unit A2 at Kostolac A, which is not operating, unit B2 at TENT B, whose capital overhaul has been postponed by two years, and a power cut of more than 40 minutes at a hospital in Pančevo. "The public has the right to know what condition EPS is in and whether there is a risk of additional costs and possible restrictions," he said.

Context. The mining and energy minister in the outgoing government, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, said before the election that Serbia is energy-stable. Gazprom holds 56.2% of NIS, and Russian deliveries cover about 90% of the country's gas needs, according to Balkan Green Energy News. The BBC sent questions to EPS and the ministry.

What comes next. Radomir Saičić, a candidate on the same list, announced on 30 October that once the government is formed, delegations will travel to Washington over the NIS sanctions and to Moscow over extending the gas contract.

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