Novi Sad is moving forward with a significant initiative to enhance its district heating infrastructure through a proposed solar thermal project. The city has commenced an early public review of planning amendments aimed at facilitating the establishment of a large-scale solar thermal installation within the existing TE-TO energy complex.
The proposed amendments, put forth by the city’s public urban planning company, encompass an area of 86.25 hectares located in the northeastern section of Novi Sad. This area currently houses the combined heat and power plant (TE-TO) and is intended to accommodate future expansions and additional energy facilities as part of a comprehensive modernization strategy.
Central to this initiative is a solar thermal project estimated at approximately €105 million, which has already secured financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The design includes a solar collector field spanning about 7.4 hectares, alongside two seasonal heat storage units that will cover roughly 15 hectares. Overall, the solar thermal complex will occupy around 29.7 hectares within the broader site.
The planning amendments also facilitate further development of the existing TE-TO facility, which currently occupies about 19 hectares. This development may include the construction of a new gas-steam unit, thereby diversifying and modernizing Novi Sad’s energy landscape.
A considerable portion of the land designated for this project is presently undeveloped and primarily utilized for agricultural activities, indicating a transformative shift in land use that could impact local dynamics significantly.
The primary objective outlined in the planning documentation is to progressively incorporate renewable energy sources into Novi Sad’s district heating system. This effort aims to diminish reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the city’s existing energy framework.
