A panel discussion on “How to Best Utilize Hydropower Potential Under Current Climate Change Conditions” was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, within the International Expert Conference “Hydropower Plants – An Important Link in the Energy Transition.”
The conference gathered representatives of key institutions from the energy sector and governmental bodies from Serbia and the region — including the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), Electric Power Industry of Montenegro (EPCG), Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM), as well as representatives of Energoprojekt and the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia.
Panel participant Miodrag Milovanović, Advisor at the Jaroslav Černi Water Institute and a member of the WSDAC Centre team, emphasized the need for developing reservoir storage that would enable redistribution of water from the wetter to the drier periods of the year. His presentation focused on the necessity of strategic and integrated water resources management under pronounced climate change conditions, with particular attention to the role of reservoirs as a key instrument for reallocating water from periods of surplus to periods of deficit.
The modernization and revitalization of existing reservoirs, along with clearly defined management models for future infrastructure, were highlighted as crucial steps toward building a more resilient and efficient water system. The multifunctional role of hydropower reservoirs — in flood protection, inflow regulation, and water management — confirms their strategic importance in the energy transition and in addressing climate challenges.
Milovanović noted: “We have around 70 large reservoirs, each with more than 10 million cubic meters. Analyses show that most were built more than 50 years ago. While we discuss the revitalization of hydropower plants, similar efforts are needed for reservoirs. Some reservoirs have lost their users. We need to define clear management models for future reservoirs. Hydropower reservoirs are in the best position — their role in flood protection is significant, and they can absorb flood waves. It is essential to forecast inflows and optimize their operation.”
