In mid-September the fourth modernized aggregate of hydropower plant “Bajina Basta” will be on the power network. After 46 years, this Drina beauty begins to live a second youth, and the system of “Serbia Power Utility Company” after four- year revitalization has power of 52 new megawatts. And it is not a little. Completed revitalizations within EPS system were often publicly deprecated. Without valid arguments all criticisms were refuted by facts and results. So hydropower plant “Bajina Basta” with an investment of 77 MEUR has four modernized units, an additional 52 new megawatts, better and more efficient production for even 70 million kilowatt-hours. For 77 MEUR could be made a new hydropower plant of 52 megawatt. It would cost more than 100 MEUR.
It must not be forgotten the fact that by the four-year work during modernization ” Bajina Basta”, system of “Serbia Power Utility Company” has got new, young professionals ready for new investment projects and construction of new power plants. They can make decisions and right solutions and they have proved it. These young professionals never sleep. Together with senior colleagues they already prepare revitalization of hydropower plant “Zvornik”. Because it is very encouraging news that in the Economy Company “Drina- Lim HPP ” there is no database of young professionals who are ready to build a new power plant, to wrestle with major problems , to make right decisions and effective solutions.
Everyone in EPS should be proud of the employees in the Economy Company “Drina- Lim hydropower plants” There are many reasons. They did modernization of four aggregates of HPP “Bajina Basta” decidedly, without delay, modestly and without complaints. And also the other parts of the great EPS system need a new builders’ generation. We have been sleeping and waiting. Even too much.
It must not be forgotten that in Serbia for more than two decades was not built a single new power plant. Our production facilities are getting older. Therefore, an additional 52 megawatts mean much for the system of “Serbia Power Utility Company”. Each megawatt is important and yet will be. In the following years every kilowatt hour more produced will be crucial. Whoever had the strength and energy, efficient production, distribution and supply – will be the winner in the competition.
Everyone says that EPS can be winner, but only if it adapts new market conditions. The first step of the electricity market liberalization has been made this winter. EPS has retained 25 of 26 customers. The first race was run. But the second step, in the following four months, will be a great test for EPS. An open market with more customers waits for us, and the competition is largely prepared. And the market does not recognize the losers. It just swallows them in a moment and there no more softies.
And EPS was never weak.
When was the most difficultly, the system was the strongest. EPS defied to the crisis and bombing, fought against cold and dryness, and often was the “scapegoat “of the bad state social policy. But without people, machines, excavators, blocks, aggregates, sub-stations are just a bunch of iron. Without employees, and everyone from mines to counters, EPS cannot be a winner on the market competition. And because of that people are the biggest value of this system. Even today they show it. Regardless of the money lack for investment, EPS professional people know what to do and the system will be ready for the winter season. To the EPS and employees in the greatest Serbian company the ladder to jump will be also raised this winter. As in the decades before, EPS will “skip” again this, new height. Because EPS has never failed the citizens and Serbian economy.
Source; Serbia Energy/EPS