Serbian govt assumes ownership of system operator EPS Distribucija

The goal of the ownership change is to achieve a more efficient operation of both companies and strengthen power distribution and production activities, energy minister Zorana Mihajlovic said as quoted in a government statement.

EPS Distribucija will now start a process for obtaining a system operator licence, Mihajlovic said.

Earlier this month, the Serbian government adopted a plan to unbundle EPS and establish an independent system operator by May 1.

The government also adopted a plan for the separation of the transportation and distribution activities of state-owned natural gas monopoly Srbijagas in December, in line with the country's obligations in accession talks with the EU.