The Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, spoke in London with the executive director of UK Export Finance, Tim Reed, about opportunities for cooperation on the financing of projects in the field of energy in Serbia.
UK Export Finance is an agency of the Government of the United Kingdom that brings together hundreds of companies from the banking and financial services sector, and the main topic of the meeting was the possibility of financing projects for the construction of reversible hydroelectric power plants, solar power plants and energy storage.
Đedović Handanović pointed out that the reversible hydropower plants Bistrica and Đerdap 3 are among the priority projects that should ensure the smooth integration of large capacities from renewable energy sources, which is crucial for the accelerated energy transition of Serbia.
The minister added that, along with the preparation of the necessary studies and technical documentation, talks are being held with all partners interested in participating in the financing of these projects to ensure that the implementation of this large project is as efficient as possible.
Representatives of UK Export Finance introduced the minister to the advantages of cooperation and financing offered by this agency and pointed out that the United Kingdom has a complete value chain that can support the energy transition in Serbia, as well as experience and good cooperation with our country on large infrastructure projects in previous years.
Let us remind you that the Japanese International Cooperation Organization (JICA)is also interested in financing the project for the construction of the reversible hydropower plant (RHPP) in Bistrica, as well as other energy projects in Serbia.
Acting General Director of EPSDušan Živković states that the conceptual design and justification study for RHPP Bistrica has been completed and that the preparation of the spatial documentation that should create the conditions for the construction of the project is underway, as well as the Environmental Impact Study, the completion of which is expected in the second half of the year, in September or October.