A new environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the planned 118.1 MW Buk Bijela hydropower plant on the Drina River is now open for public consultation, following the annulment of the previous environmental permit in January 2025. The updated study was required after the 2019 permit was revoked before expiry and removed from the official register. The project developer, HES Gornja Drina, was instructed to restart the permitting process, including a new assessment of cross-border environmental impacts in line with the Espoo Convention.
The project involves a dam, powerhouse, reservoir, discharge structures, and riverbed excavation to increase the hydraulic head, along with temporary construction facilities, access roads, worker housing, and two mobile concrete plants on opposite riverbanks. Land expropriation for the dam has already been completed. Buk Bijela forms part of the Upper Drina hydropower system, which also includes the Foca, Sutjeska, and Paunci power plants, with the total concession value estimated at over €430 million.
In September of last year, the Government of the Republic of Srpska (RS) approved an extension of deadlines and an increase in installed capacity through an amended concession agreement with Serbia. The revised timeline allows 30 months for preparatory work and permits, followed by 66 months for construction and trial operation. Construction is therefore not expected before March 2028, with completion projected toward the end of 2033. Preparatory activities are valued at about €11 million, while construction costs are estimated at around €238 million.
