Budapest has sharply raised the charges for storing Serbian gas in the Hungarian gas storage facility, a move announced by Dusan Bayatovich, the head of Serbiagas, during a business forum in Kopaonik. The report was published by TASS. (Source: TASS)
Bayatovich noted that Banatski Dvor, the Serbian gas storage site, currently holds 296 million cubic meters of gas at its full capacity, with no significant withdrawal from this reserve. He explained that approximately 200 million cubic meters would stay within Hungary’s storage system, while the rest would be managed under different arrangements. He welcomed the decision by the Hungarian side to implement a sixfold increase in the service price for gas storage. (Source: TASS)
According to the Serbiagas director, Serbia operates the Banatsky Dvor storage facility, which can be expanded to accommodate as much as 750 million cubic meters of gas, up from its current capacity of around 550 million. He asserted that the most reliable strategy is to keep larger gas reserves within national borders, underscoring a preference for domestic storage as a safeguard against supply disruptions. (Source: TASS)
In January, the Serbian Minister of Mines and Energy, Dubravka Đedović-Negre, spoke about assurances related to energy stability and security, explaining that Russia would continue to serve as a guarantor under certain arrangements. Her remarks were conveyed amid ongoing discussions about energy diversification and regional resilience. (Source: TASS)
Earlier in the month, President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the status of oil imports from Russia, noting that deliveries could be affected beginning February 5. He also referenced Serbia’s strategic oil reserves, stating that the republic maintains three to four months of crude stockpiles to cushion potential shocks. The comments reflected broader concerns about energy reliability and national energy security planning. (Source: TASS)
The dialogue between Belgrade and Budapest highlights broader regional questions about how neighboring countries manage energy storage, pricing, and cross-border energy flows. Analysts point out that storage capacity, tariff structures, and cross-border agreements can significantly influence energy security and affordability for consumers in both Serbia and Hungary, as well as neighboring markets. (Source: TASS)
Observers note that the situation illustrates the delicate balance governments strike between securing steady energy supplies and maintaining competitive pricing for industry and households. The strategic emphasis on expanding domestic storage capacity in Serbia aligns with priorities to reduce exposure to price volatility and to enhance national energy sovereignty, even as regional cooperation remains essential for reliability of supply networks. (Source: TASS)
Industry experts also emphasize the importance of clear, long-term contracts and transparent pricing mechanisms for storage services, as these factors help both producers and storage operators plan investments and manage risk. The discussion around Banatsky Dvor and its potential expansion touches on these critical considerations, including infrastructure upgrades, maintenance costs, and the regulatory framework governing storage interactions across borders. (Source: TASS)
Beyond the immediate stakes of storage costs and capacity, the episode underscores how energy policy choices—such as when and how to store gas, and where to locate storage facilities—have tangible implications for regional energy security, industrial competitiveness, and consumer prices. Stakeholders in Serbia, Hungary, and the wider Danube region are likely to watch closely how pricing signals for storage services evolve, and how these signals interact with broader efforts to diversify energy sources and improve resilience against supply interruptions. (Source: TASS)