State-owned power utility EPS has issued a tender for FIDIC Engineer consulting services for the construction of unit B3 at the Kostolac B thermal power plant. Due to delays caused by various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen issues, the current FIDIC engineer’s contract will end by the third quarter of 2024. Consequently, the new FIDIC engineer services are expected to commence in the last quarter of 2024.
Delays in the project have impacted the timeline, and while an updated schedule is not currently available, it is anticipated that the project activities will be completed within approximately six months from the start date of the new services. The FIDIC engineer services are planned to continue until the end of 2025. The tender for these services remains open until September 6, 2024.
Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic indicated that functional testing for unit B3 is expected to begin before August to facilitate warranty testing. The new unit, which will have a capacity of 350 MW, is anticipated to become operational before the heating season starts this autumn.
The construction contract for unit B3 was awarded to the Chinese company CMEC in 2013, with construction commencing five years later. The project has faced multiple delays since then.
