Serbia has taken a key administrative step toward the development of the Bistrica pump-storage hydropower plant, formally designating land expropriation as being of public interest. The decision clears the way for securing property needed for the construction of the facility and its supporting infrastructure, representing an important milestone in the project’s implementation phase.
The planned acquisition process will cover multiple cadastral zones across the municipalities of Nova Varoš and Priboj, including areas such as Radoinja, Rutoši, Seništa, Čelice, Kratovo, and Pribojske Čelice. All procedures will be carried out in accordance with the relevant spatial planning documents governing the Bistrica project and the nearby Poteć hydropower system, ensuring alignment with existing spatial and regulatory frameworks.
State-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije has been appointed as the beneficiary of the expropriation, meaning that it will take control of the land and facilities once the legal process is completed, in order to proceed with construction activities. This designation places EPS at the center of project execution and future asset management.
The HPP Bistrica project forms part of Serbia’s broader strategy to strengthen its electricity system, particularly by increasing flexibility and reliability through pump-storage capacity. Authorities expect the facility to play a significant role in balancing supply and improving overall system performance, contributing to enhanced grid stability and integration of variable renewable sources. Preparatory works for the project are expected to begin within the year, marking the transition from planning to on-the-ground implementation.
