Belgrade Energy Fair 2026: Heat Pumps Save Up to 70%

The Energy Fair and EcoFair have opened at the Belgrade Fair. The state says nearly 300 oil, coal and heating-oil boilers in public institutions have been replaced or are being replaced.

Branko PetrovićOctober 21, 20263 min read0

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Energy Fair and EcoFair at the Belgrade Fair, October 21, 2026 — The Energy Fair and EcoFair at the Belgrade Fair, opened on October 21, 2026./ Photo: Tanjug

Nearly 300 boilers running on heating oil, coal or fuel oil in public institutions have already been replaced or are being replaced, against a target of 200 by 2027, said Sara Pavkov, the caretaker minister of environmental protection. She gave the figure on October 21 at the opening of the 21st International Energy Fair and the 22nd International Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Fair, EcoFair, in Hall 3 of the Belgrade Fair. Both events run through October 23.

How many boilers have been replaced in public institutions?

Since 2021, the state has used public calls to encourage the replacement of boilers that burn fuel oil, coal or heating oil. At the opening, Pavkov said:

“We set ourselves the goal of switching 200 such boilers to gas or another more environmentally friendly energy source by 2027. We have already significantly exceeded that goal, because almost 300 boilers in public institutions have already been replaced or their replacement is under way.”

By those numbers, the 200-boiler target has been exceeded by nearly half, counting replacements that are still in progress.

Pavkov also presented figures on municipal infrastructure:

eight regional waste management centers are planned by 2030
465 kilometers of sewage network have been built or are under construction
wastewater treatment plants now being built are meant to serve about 500,000 residents

How much energy do insulation and heat pumps save?

Rade Mrdak, an adviser to the minister of mining and energy, said at the opening that thermal insulation can save about 20% of energy. Installing heat pumps, in his words, can cut heating energy use by up to 70%. That is an upper limit, since Mrdak said “up to 70 percent,” not an average.

Mrdak said the Ministry of Mining and Energy focused on energy efficiency this year, calling it one of the priorities of Serbia’s energy policy. He added:

“Energy efficiency is a new source of energy, because it allows us to meet the same needs with less energy without lowering the quality of life.”

The ministry’s stand will show a model of an energy-efficient house. Visitors will be able to see the renovation measures they can apply at home: replacing windows and doors, adding insulation, and installing heat pumps and solar panels.

Who is exhibiting and what is on the program?

Besides domestic companies and institutions, exhibitors from eight countries are taking part: Germany, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Canada, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland. Pavkov cited the international participation as proof of the events’ importance: “The strong international participation this year also speaks to the importance of these events. Besides domestic exhibitors, participants from eight countries will present their knowledge and experience.”

The patrons are the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. This year’s EcoFair host is the City Administration for Environmental Protection of Novi Sad.

The program includes professional conferences, panel discussions, B2B business meetings and presentations of new technologies. The topics are renewable energy, above all solar power, followed by batteries, chargers and recycling.