Today, the Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic, put into operation the photovoltaic solar power plant at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Novi Sad, which was donated by GIZ as part of the German-Serbian development cooperation at the initiative of the Ministry of Mining and Energy.
“The donation of this solar power plant is an example of responsible behaviour towards the community, as well as the partnership of Serbian and German institutions that contributes to the betterment of society, and especially to support vulnerable groups such as children with behavioural problems. This power plant will cover the Center’s annual electricity consumption, reduce consumption and CO2 emissions, but will also represent an indicator of care for the youngest, which should be provided by all individuals and institutions. Thanks GIZ for helping us with the realization, the power plant was installed in record time and I hope that in addition to reducing the costs of the Center’s operation, it will also be a reminder to the users that they are not alone and that they have support from the institutions, and the Ministry of Mining and Energy will continue with by supporting projects aimed at sustainable development and helping young people,” said the minister.
Dedovic Handanovic pointed out that the Ministry of Mining and Energy and GIZ cooperate on improving the legislative framework for the areas of prosumers.
“Currently, about 2,700 prosumers are registered, the total installed capacity of these power plants is 42 MW. The number is constantly increasing, as is the interest of citizens, because own production of electricity from solar energy pays off economically and ecologically. In the coming period, we will work together on the implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources in households, residential and public buildings,” she said.
The minister said that the energy transition concerns all of us, and we can all influence the reduction of consumption, at home, at work, in public institutions. Minister thanked GIZ for a stable partnership on the path to decarbonization of the energy sector.
Daniela Funke, director of GIZ in Serbia, said that the organization supports projects that develop the use of solar energy.
“I am very pleased that today we visited the joint project of the Ministry and German-Serbian Development Cooperation and one of the first pilot projects of integrated solutions. The pilot project is being implemented at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Novi Sad. It is important for GIZ to show the technical and financial feasibility of such projects, the advantages that arise from the installation of solar power plants, in order to encourage other interested economic subjects to get involved. In addition to this power plant, we also support the development of prosumers in households, housing communities and the private sector. The installed solar power plant in the Center has a capacity of 6 kW and will produce about 7,400 kWh of electricity per year. The expected saving of GHG emissions for the life of the power plant of 25 years is about 200 tons of CO2 equivalent, which is equal to around 17 hectares of trees,” she said.
Igor Jurić, founder of the “Tijana Jurić” foundation, emphasized the importance of bringing together organizations and institutions in projects that provide support to abused children.
“I am grateful to GIZ and the Ministry of Mining and Energy, especially Minister Dedovic Handanovic, for supporting us and helping us to make this energy efficient facility, where we will deal with the problem of violence against children and among children.
What we want is that our cooperation does not end here. As an organization, apart from gathering an extremely professional team that will deal with children, we also want to gather around us a large number of institutions, organizations, companies and individuals, who will support this idea and work together with us to solve this pressing problem in the society.
We would like to deepen this cooperation, to have the Ministry of Mining and Energy as a partner, because this burning problem in our society cannot be solved by just one organization or individual, but it is necessary for everyone to take responsibility.
There was a lot of talk in the public that it is necessary to solve the problem of violence between and against children, we have taken that first step, and we are in the final phase, and when we start work, I assure you that the results will arrive faster than we think” said Juric.