More than 900,000 users of the electricity distribution network in Serbia now have smart meters, thanks to investments by Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS), supported by the European Union (EU) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). 

A joint delegation from the EU and EBRD, led by Andreas von Beckerath, European Union Ambassador to Serbia, and Francesco Corbo from the EBRD, visited Niš – one of the leading cities in Serbia in terms of smart meter coverage – to inspect first-hand the progress made in implementing the project and its benefits for households and the power system.

This programme represents a significant step in modernising Serbia’s electricity distribution network. Smart meters improve the quality of service for users, increase billing transparency and accuracy, and provide the data necessary for better grid management, thereby strengthening system reliability and supporting Serbia’s broader energy transition. The initial momentum for the mass replacement of meters was secured through €110 million in EU grant funding. Implementation subsequently continued with the support of an EBRD loan, while preparations are currently underway to replace an additional 400,000 meters with financial backing from the European Investment Bank (EIB). During the visit to Niš, representatives from the EU and EBRD also visited a residential building where 40 smart meters have been installed.

“For the citizens of Serbia, the benefits are simple and practical: more accurate bills, easier access to consumption information, and better control over household energy costs. And that is important, as Serbia’s energy system enters a new phase: rooftop solar power plants, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and local energy communities will increasingly reshape the way electricity is produced, measured, and consumed,” highlighted Andreas von Beckerath, European Union Ambassador to Serbia.

“Modernising the distribution network is crucial for Serbia’s transition towards a more efficient, resilient, and low-carbon energy system. Through our support to EDS for the rollout of smart meters, we are enhancing network reliability and efficiency, while simultaneously enabling greater integration of renewable energy sources and more active consumer participation,” said Francesco Corbo of the EBRD.

“We are actively working on digitalisation and introducing state-of-the-art technologies into the electricity distribution system, and this is one of the projects delivering savings and benefits both to users and the company. To date, around €200 million has been invested in installing smart meters across Serbia, and today almost one in four meters is read remotely. Our strategic decision is that every new connection must feature a smart meter. For EDS, this means better visibility of grid status and more efficient management, while users can monitor their own consumption and become more energy efficient. In the autumn, a portal will be launched allowing all smart meter users continuous insight into their consumption,” stated Biljana Komnenić, Acting Director of EDS.

Smart meters

Smart meters are digital devices equipped with memory and a communication module that enables two-way data exchange with the central system. In addition to measuring consumption, they allow remote reading and provide detailed information on electricity usage – ranging from monthly data to 15-minute intervals – complete with automatic data logging. The smart meter automatically stores readings at midnight on the first day of every month, and data is retained for 18 months. For users, this translates into faster and more accurate bills, fewer disputes, and better control over electricity consumption and costs.

For businesses, smart metering enables improved forecasting, planning, and operational optimisation. For EDS, smart meters enhance day-to-day operations through more efficient grid management, faster fault detection and resolution, and greater system visibility. They also serve as a foundational building block for a modern energy grid capable of supporting prosumers (producer-consumers), virtual power plants, energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and an accelerated transition towards greener energy.

(Blic, 04.09.2026)

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