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Serbia's 'Bistrica' hydropower plant to ensure secure electricity supply
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Energy & Infrastructure

Serbia's 'Bistrica' hydropower plant to ensure secure electricity supply

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Serbia is developing the "Bistrica" reversible hydroelectric power plant (RHE) as a strategic energy project.
  • The plant will enhance Serbia's electricity supply security by storing surplus power.
  • Preparatory work begins this year, with main construction starting late next year, supported by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Serbia is advancing the "Bistrica" reversible hydroelectric power plant (RHE) project, a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the nation's energy security. Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka ฤedoviฤ‡ Handanoviฤ‡ highlighted the project's significance, stating it will ensure a stable supply of electricity for Serbia.

Preparatory work for the plant is scheduled to commence this year, with the main construction phase slated for late next year. Serbia is set to sign a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) next year for the project's realization. The Serbian government has already issued five decisions for the expropriation of properties in the municipalities of Nova Varoลก, Priboj, and Prijepolje, with the national power company EPS initiating nearly 300 expropriation proposals covering 1,242 land parcels.

The "Bistrica" reversible hydroelectric power plant represents one of Serbia's most significant strategic energy projects and will ensure secure electricity supply for Serbia.

โ€” Dubravka ฤedoviฤ‡ Handanoviฤ‡The Minister of Mining and Energy spoke about the importance of the RHE project.

Reversible hydroelectric power plants function as large-scale batteries, storing surplus electricity generated during periods of low demand. This stored energy can then be released during times of high demand or scarcity, ensuring the smooth operation of the national power grid. Minister ฤedoviฤ‡ Handanoviฤ‡ pointed to the "Bajina Baลกta" RHE, recently rehabilitated and operating at full capacity, as crucial for managing the current situation of low water levels in the Danube River.

The "Bistrica" project is planned for the Zlatibor District, within the Uvac river system, and will connect to existing hydropower systems on the Uvac and Lim rivers. It will feature four pump-turbine units with an installed capacity of approximately 661 megawatts, and an expected annual electricity production of around 1,600 gigawatt-hours.

If we didn't have the 'Bajina Baลกta' RHE, rehabilitated in the past two years and at full capacity this summer, we would have had major supply problems in this situation with low water levels on the Danube.

โ€” Dubravka ฤedoviฤ‡ Handanoviฤ‡The minister emphasized the role of existing RHEs in managing energy supply challenges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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