A major renewable energy project is set to transform the Tresibaba area in eastern Serbia, with construction soon to begin on the largest solar power plant ever built in the country. The facility will have an installed capacity of 170 MW and is being developed by Chinese energy group GCL, operating locally through its Serbian subsidiary Central Europe Energy Company.
Local authorities describe the project as a landmark investment for the municipality of Knjaževac. The total investment is estimated at around 200 million euros, making it the largest single project in the municipality’s history.
To enable construction, about 270 hectares of state-owned land have been leased for the solar power plant. The plots are in the lowest land-quality category, consistent with Serbian regulations that allow renewable energy projects to use fifth-category land and below, minimizing impacts on higher-value agricultural areas. Under the lease agreement, the investor will pay 1,050 euros per hectare annually, with 40% allocated to the Knjaževac municipal budget and 60% directed to the state budget.
Municipal leaders view the arrival of such a large-scale investor as a sign that Knjazevac is increasingly recognized as a suitable location for complex, capital-intensive projects, strengthening its position on Serbia’s renewable energy map.
