In 2023, Serbia plans to start the construction of two large hydropower plants, “Đerdap 3” and “Bistrica”, with a total power of more than 3,000 megawatts (MW), in order to compensate for the lack of electricity of about 20 percent, which this year it imports and pays for half at prices that are more than 500 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh).
The preparation of new design and technical documentation started last year, because the previous one was outdated, and it should be completed next year. The Government of Serbia declared those projects to be projects of special national interest, reports Beta.
The Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlović, pointed out that the “Đerdap 3” hydroelectric power plant would have 2,200 MW, and another 200 MW each would be produced by solar and wind power plants, for a total of 2,600 MW.
“It would be a hybrid reversible hydropower plant, it would be done in stages, 600 MW would be the first stage. The first phase could be online by 2025, and some estimates tell us that it could cost two billion euros, but these are only estimates”, said Mihajlovic.
The “Bistrica” hydroelectric power plant would have a capacity of 600 MW, and tentative estimates say that it would cost 700 million euros. When the project and technical documentation is completed next year, the source of financing for both hydroelectric power plants must also be provided.
“In addition, EPS must enter into a strategic partnership for renewable energy sources, that those who want to build large solar power plants and 1 gigawatt (GW) wind farms enter into a partnership with EPS, so that EPS has 50 percent or majority ownership , that balancing is done by EPS for the strategic partner, and that the electricity that is produced goes first for domestic needs, and the surplus goes for export”, said Mihajlović.
Serbia produces 70 percent of electricity in thermal power plants, and 30 percent is from renewable sources. This year, due to the drought and the drop in water levels, hydroelectric plants almost halved their production, which was only 15 percent of the average.
Wind power plants in Serbia have an installed capacity of about 500 MW. The capacity for solar energy is around 50 MW, but the state is trying to stimulate households, which are the largest daily consumers of electricity (42 percent), to install panels on their roofs with a subsidy of 50 percent, Biznis writes.
