The Bistrica hydropower plant complex, with a total cost exceeding 100 million euros, is on track to become operational by 2027, according to the project’s managing company. Dejan Pavlovic, Director of the HPP Bistrica project, reported that construction is proceeding as planned without major delays. Significant progress has been made, including the completion of access roads and substations at all construction sites. Currently, 6.2 kilometers of the planned 10 kilometers of tunnels are finished. The dam construction at location B1 is 30% complete, while work at the other sites, B2a and B3, is anticipated to start later this year.
Construction of the HPP Bistrica complex began in January 2022. Pavlovic also noted that the company is in discussions with Chinese representatives from Sinossure Insurance and Exim Bank to finalize project financing, with hopes to secure the necessary funds by the end of the year.
The Bistrica complex will feature three cascade hydropower plants (B1, B2a, and B3) on the lower course of the Bistrica River near Foca. The combined installed capacity of these plants will be 39 MW, with an estimated annual electricity generation of 152 GWh. The project, valued at 103 million euros, is being developed by “Hidroelektrane na Drini,” a subsidiary of the power utility ERS, and is being constructed by the China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (AVIC).
