The process of issuing permits for renewable energy projects should become faster, more transparent and more predictable. There is also a need for spatial and energy mapping of areas suitable for the development of renewable energy sources, along with the possibility of designating accelerated renewable energy development zones.
These are among the issues that will be addressed through amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Mining and Energy announced that it had begun work on amendments to the law.
In addition to the announcement that drafting has commenced, a background document outlining the initial framework has been published on the e-Consultations website. The document sets out the areas that will be covered by the amendments and identifies key issues that need to be addressed within the renewable energy sector.
Faster permit issuing procedures
The document highlights the need to establish a faster, more transparent and predictable system for issuing permits for renewable energy projects, including the construction, refurbishment, grid connection and commissioning of facilities. “In practice, there is also a need for better coordination between competent authorities, clearer deadlines, the establishment of contact points, and greater availability of information for investors, citizens and local governments.”
Accordingly, the amendments will regulate the establishment of one or more contact points that will guide applicants throughout the permitting process.
Mapping suitable areas and defining development zones
The Ministry’s document also states that it is necessary to regulate the spatial and energy mapping of areas suitable for renewable energy development, as well as the possibility of defining accelerated renewable energy development zones. Such a solution would, among other things, direct projects towards areas that are particularly suitable for renewable energy development.
The mapping process would be carried out in full compliance with regulations governing planning and construction, environmental protection, nature conservation, water protection, ecological networks and public participation. “This is important in order to direct projects towards areas where, based on planning documents and expert assessments, no significant adverse environmental impacts are expected.”
Guarantees of origin
The amendments will also address rules concerning guarantees of origin, which require further improvement. Among other changes, it is proposed that guarantees of origin should apply not only to electricity but also to other forms of renewable energy, including renewable gases, biomethane, hydrogen, and energy used for heating and cooling.
The objective is to provide more reliable proof of energy origin and greater transparency for end users.
“Guarantees of origin should be accurate, reliable, maintained electronically, protected against misuse and aligned with relevant standards.”
Strengthening the position of prosumers
The amendments are also intended to strengthen the position of prosumers (consumer-producers), including their right to generate electricity for their own consumption, store self-produced electricity, use surplus electricity under net-metering arrangements or sell it on the market.
The law will also regulate conditions for joint action by prosumers within the same building and define the role of third parties in the ownership, management, installation and maintenance of generation facilities and energy storage systems.
Heating and cooling sector
According to the document, one of the key challenges is increasing the share of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector and creating conditions for integrating renewable gases into natural gas systems. For this reason, the Ministry states that obligations, measures, reporting requirements and conditions for access to infrastructure need to be regulated more precisely.
In the heating and cooling sector, the law will provide the basis for establishing and monitoring measures aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy, including the use of waste heat and cooling energy, highly efficient technologies, heat pumps, and efficient district heating and cooling systems.
Alignment with EU directives
The current Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources established the basic regulatory framework for encouraging renewable energy production. It introduced auctions, prosumer status, guarantees of origin and renewable energy communities. However, according to the Ministry, practical implementation has demonstrated the need for further improvements.
The law must be fully aligned with the European Union Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RED II). Alignment is required in the areas of guarantees of origin, prosumers, renewable energy communities, and the heating and cooling sector.
Serbian legislation must also be harmonised with relevant provisions of the EU’s RED III Directive relating to the accelerated deployment of renewable energy, permitting procedures and spatial planning. The objective of the amendments is to improve the legal framework for increasing the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption.
According to the Ministry, renewable energy sources represent one of the key instruments for ensuring energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, protecting the environment and supporting Serbia’s energy transition. The amendments will also establish deadlines for issuing permits for projects located within accelerated renewable energy development zones, as well as for projects outside such zones.
Special rules are planned for the refurbishment of existing facilities, solar power plants installed on existing buildings and structures, small-scale facilities and heat pumps. There are also plans to align the auction system with the requirements of power system stability, system integration costs and market price signals.
The public has been invited to submit written proposals and suggestions concerning the areas covered by the amendments to the law. Interested parties may submit comments until 7 July via email at oie@mre.gov.rs.
(Forbes Serbia, 24.06.2026)