New EDS Tender – Opportunity to Strengthen and Develop Local Industry of Smart Meters

The Republic of Serbia is continuing investments in the energy sector and the modernization of the capacities at an accelerated pace. Following the European and global trends and the needs of the local market, Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS) recently opened the tender which plans the procurement of nearly half a million smart meters which measure all the consumption parameters and whose benefits will be felt by all – from households to Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS). This is the biggest investment in the procurement of modern metering devices so far, and the value of the tender is EUR 100 million.

Serbia is one of the rare countries in the world that have their own production of smart meters. The mutual cooperation of three producers has so far resulted in a successful installation of new device types for the local market. As representatives of these companies point out, a further continuation of cooperation with the local distributor of electrical energy is expected, so that they would employ local experts, strengthen the local economy and give their contribution to improving the local energy system.

– We are proud of the successful cooperation so far with EDS and we are looking forward to new projects. The production of nearly 500,000 smart meters is an opportunity for a continuation of our cooperation. The local meters industry is ready to jointly respond to all requests. This is a big project which best shows the readiness of the Government of Serbia and the management of EDS to upgrade the quality of life of all citizens. The result of the project is an additional sixth of households in Serbia with smart meters. That is useful for both consumers and producers of energy and for a further growth and development of our country. Investments in the energy system show that our country is determined, in this very turbulent period for the whole world, to plan, in advance, projects which will strengthen the local electrical energy system – said the general manager of Sitel d.o.o. Beograd, Srdjan Tepavac.

The fact that these devices are constantly upgraded with compliance with all European and global standards, which enables stable production, supply and consumption of electrical energy in both Serbia and in numerous world markets, speaks to the quality and functionality of smart meters made by local producers.

– Continued development of the energy infrastructure contributes to a reduction of losses, system modernization and remote control of electricity consumption. Local meters are not behind foreign ones in any respect. It is of extreme importance to all of us to follow all the trends in this field and we pay special attention to innovations in the production process. The joint realization of this project, for which EDS has already opened the tender, will contribute not just to the modernization of the energy system of our country, but also to the strengthening of the exporting potential of Serbia – pointed out Igor Vujicic, the CEO of Meter&Control.

So far, EDS has managed to replace around 100,000 meters on an annual level, whereas the tender that has just opened envisages the replacement of nearly five times as many obsolete meters in the territories of Belgrade and Novi Sad over the next year.

Despite the shortage of chips and other materials in the world market, local producers also emphasize that they are experiencing no problems with secondary raw materials and that they have secured them on time.

Elektroprivreda Srbije ad Beograd

Elektrodistribucija Srbije d.o.o. Beograd

Sitel d.o.o. Beograd

Meter & Control d.o.o. Beograd

Srđan Tepavac

Igor Vujičić

procurement of smart meters

smart meters