Aggregators - a new key player in Serbia's energy transition

Why Aggregators?

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The Serbian energy system is undergoing rapid transformation – the capacity of renewable energy sources (RES), particularly solar and wind, is growing year by year. However, this transition also brings new technical challenges: there is an increasing need for grid flexibility to maintain system stability and enable further RES integration without additional costs and delays.

Electricity aggregators offer an effective solution to this challenge. Their role is to pool numerous smaller sources and consumers – such as households with rooftop solar, industrial facilities with flexible loads, or battery storage systems – and make this available flexibility accessible to the system. In this way, aggregators contribute to:

• improved balancing of supply and demand,

• relieving grid congestion and deferring costly infrastructure investments,

• enabling new revenue streams for active market participants,

• and enhancing the overall security and reliability of the power system.

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Project Objective

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The goal of this project is to take the first step toward developing an aggregator market in Serbia. Through analysis of the legal framework, technical infrastructure, and market potential, the project will provide concrete recommendations for:

• removing regulatory and technical barriers,

• developing feasible business models,

• and setting the groundwork for pilot projects in the coming years.

Special attention will be given to alignment with EU practices and the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders – including ministries, regulators, transmission and distribution system operators, suppliers, investors, and consumers.

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Timeline and Activities

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The project will be implemented from October 2025 to August 2026, structured across five thematic components:

1. Context and the Need for Aggregators – analysis of the energy system and flexibility challenges.

2. Assessment of Serbia’s Readiness – legal, technical, and market aspects.

3. International Practice – comparison with EU markets and transferable experience.

4. Models and Recommendations – concrete options for launching the aggregator market.

5. Visibility and Public Engagement – panels, conferences, media outreach, and digital campaigns.

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Legal and Regulatory Context

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With the adoption of the Amendments to the Energy Law (2024) and the new Rules on Electricity Market Operation, the first formal preconditions for aggregator market development in Serbia have been established. A new Decree on Active Customers is also expected, which will further complete the legal framework. Therefore, now is the right time to concretize this topic through barrier analysis, business model proposals, and tailored recommendations for regulatory and market institutions.

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Expected Outcomes

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The project will contribute to:

• establishing a clear roadmap for the introduction of aggregators in practice,

• identifying key regulatory, technical, and market barriers, as well as the conditions for overcoming them,

• developing business models tailored to the local context and market dynamics,

• and raising awareness and understanding among all relevant stakeholders about the role of aggregators in a modern, flexible, and decentralized energy system.