Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ugljevik thermal power plant is preparing to resume generation after receiving emergency coal supplies, easing pressure on the Republic of Srpska power system. The plant has been offline since 13 October, leaving the system more exposed to costly wholesale electricity imports. Regional day-ahead prices have risen above €300/MWh.
ERS general director Luka Petrovic said preparations were under way to reconnect the plant, with new coal deliveries coming from domestic suppliers, including the Bukova Kosa deposit and sources in the Prijedor area. Local supplier Drvo-Export has started transporting coal from Bukova Kosa and has between 350,000 and 400,000 tonnes in storage. The stock is expected to be distributed over the next two months among Ugljevik and other contracted customers.
Coal deliveries and operating needs
Ugljevik consumes about 6,000 tonnes of coal per day and needs at least 150 truck deliveries to sustain operations. The price of the new coal supply and the quantity specifically allocated to the plant have not been disclosed. ERS hopes the arrangements will keep Ugljevik operating until 25 December.
The emergency purchases have not resolved the plant’s underlying mining problem. Earlier this year, the Republic of Srpska government paid €123 million to recover the Ugljevik East 2 mining concession, previously controlled through Comsar Energy. The deal was intended to improve access to local reserves and provide a more dependable fuel base, but the anticipated increase in mining output has yet to materialise.
Mining constraints remain
ERS has therefore continued to rely on coal purchased from third parties. Concerns have also been raised about the sulphur content of coal from Bukova Kosa and its potential effect on plant emissions. For the Republic of Srpska power system, the immediate priority is to secure stable generation from Ugljevik.
Each stable megawatt from the plant reduces exposure to a regional market where replacement electricity has become increasingly expensive. Extending that stability beyond December will depend on addressing Ugljevik’s continuing coal-supply constraints.
