Serbia's only oil refinery may have to shut down due to critically low water levels in the Danube
On August 3, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that the country is facing serious energy problems due to low water levels in the Danube. Due to difficulties with the supply of raw materials, the oil refinery in Pančevo may have to temporarily suspend operations.
The Serbian president said that the Danube remains navigable for now, but due to low water levels, ships can carry only half their usual cargo.
“There are four industrial processes for which we need the Danube and water. We are facing a great many problems. We will do everything in our power, and I hope we won’t have to shut down the oil refinery. If we do have to do so, the Danube will become unnavigable in just two or three days,” Vucic said.
Vučić also noted that there are numerous problems with oil prices on the international market.
“We will face numerous economic problems and another shutdown of the oil refinery, God forbid. I hope that won’t be necessary. We can weather all of this financially and economically, but it will be impossible to endure if prices continue to rise. There is neither oil nor diesel fuel,” Vucic said.
Although Vučić noted that the question is whether “we will be able” to fight nature, he also added that citizens should not worry for now, and that he will inform them “when the time comes to worry.”
An extraordinary meeting of the Republic’s Emergency Management Headquarters is scheduled for Monday, August 3, to discuss the current situation and measures taken to ensure energy stability.
Prime Minister Juro Matsut urged citizens to use electricity wisely in the coming days due to the prolonged heat wave and increased consumption, adding that the situation in the energy sector is “serious and complex.”
This was reported by the N1 portal.
As a reminder, Romania is blasting rocks in the Danube to ensure water supply to the Cernavodă nuclear power plant.
