Serbia has completed a comprehensive modernization of the pump-storage hydropower plant Bajina Bašta, with the second unit now back in operation and connected to the national electricity network. The project is expected to strengthen the stability and reliability of the country’s energy system.
Energy and Mining Minister Dubravka Đedović announced the completion of the works during a visit to the facility, which remains Serbia’s only pump-storage plant. She noted that the plant originally entered service in 1982 and has now undergone its first major refurbishment since commissioning.
The rehabilitation project, valued at approximately 35 million euros, was carried out by the state-owned power utility EPS. It involved a broad modernization of the plant’s technical infrastructure, including upgrades to generating units, electrical systems, and control equipment. A significant part of the project also focused on civil engineering works, including the overhaul of the water supply and discharge tunnel, which stretches roughly 8 kilometers and is crucial for plant operation. The modernization has extended the operational lifespan of the facility while improving the reliability and efficiency of its units.
Officials describe HPP Bajina Bašta as a type of energy storage system for the country. By pumping water during low demand periods and generating electricity during peak consumption, it helps stabilize the network and support system flexibility. This balancing function is increasingly important as Serbia expands its share of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, whose output can vary depending on weather conditions.
