Serbia and Russia have initiated work to expand the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage facility, a move regarded as a strategic step toward strengthening energy security and increasing storage capacity for the wider region. The announcement came through Dusan Bayatovic, the general director of Srbijagaz, during a briefing summarized by RIA Novosti. The project enters a phase of technical assessments and infrastructure planning, aiming to boost storage capacity and provide a more flexible response to seasonal demand. By expanding Banatski Dvor, Serbia signals a commitment to diversify its gas storage options and align with broader European and regional energy strategies that prioritize reliable deliveries and price stability for consumers across multiple markets.
Officials outlined that the expansion will involve the procurement and integration of Russian equipment, with the plan leaning on established Russian technologies to drive improvements in the facility’s performance. Bayatovic noted that the agreement covers the Banatski Dvor project and the acquisition of equipment produced in Russia, stressing that the deployment will rely on Russian engineering know-how and component supply chains. The statements underscore the bilateral nature of the venture, highlighting how Serbia seeks to leverage Russian-capacity markets while ensuring that implementation adheres to international safety and quality standards. The collaboration is framed as a productive partnership, one that could accelerate project milestones and bring advanced capability to the Serbian energy sector without compromising governance or regulatory oversight.
Bayatovic described the ongoing feasibility studies and design reviews associated with Banatski Dvor as favorable for Serbian consumers and for manufacturers across Russia. The assessments are expected to address critical questions about storage capacity, operational safety, and long-term reliability. They also explore how the expanded facility will interact with existing gas networks, balancing inflows and withdrawals to minimize risk during peak periods and supply disruptions. From the perspective of households and businesses, the expansion promises more predictable gas prices and improved resilience against supply shocks. For Russian equipment vendors, it signals sustained demand and the potential for close cooperation with Srbijagaz on future upgrades and maintenance programs that may extend beyond this project.
Toward the end of September, Bayatovic indicated that Belgrade was in discussions to extend the Gazprom contract under its current terms, while pursuing an increase in supply volumes. The emphasis on higher volumes aims to meet growing domestic consumption and to support regional energy security. At the same time, Serbia reaffirmed that the strategic partnership with the Russian Federation remains aligned with national interests, anticipating benefits such as enhanced energy sovereignty, stable procurement, and long-term cooperation in the sector. The discussions reflect a broader trend of multilateral energy cooperation in Southeast Europe, where state-backed companies seek predictable supply routes while maintaining clear procurement rules and oversight to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Separately, Rosseti and Elektromreza Srbije were reported to plan the deployment of artificial intelligence systems across the electricity grid. The initiative seeks to improve grid operation by enabling smarter dispatch, better fault detection, and more efficient use of transmission corridors. The technology push aligns with wider modernization efforts in the sector, reinforcing reliability, reducing outages, and enabling more accurate demand forecasting. While the gas-related expansion advances Serbia’s storage capacity, the electricity upgrades address parallel concerns about energy access, grid resilience, and the integration of diversified power sources. The combined progress across gas storage and grid modernization presents a picture of a country reinforcing its energy security through coordinated infrastructure investments and international collaboration.