Previously, four fuel oil boiler rooms were utilized to run the Public Utility Company (PUC) “Osečina,” which is in charge of district heating in the municipality, using coal and 2200 tons of fuel oil annually. Boilers powered by fossil fuels were switched out for hardwood biomass boilers at the PUC’s initiative.

The innovative proposal suggests producing heating chips from trimmed orchards left over from growing raspberries. Since the area produces fruit, pruned waste is currently burned in the fields. The PUC intends to gather the trash from clipped fruit and make chips for heating.

This would be the first instance of trimmed orchards being utilized to make chips for heating in Serbia. Through a total installation of 2.85 MW of renewable energy, the project would save 4.653 tons of CO2 equivalent annually. Wooden chips in excess would be sold. The project’s financial outcomes are excellent, and the funded activities will improve PUC’s routine operations. Ash produced from burning wood chips and trimmed waste will be used as fertilizer. This initiative is co-financed by 94,000 US $.