EPS seeking project supervision service for overhaul of old small hydropower plants

EPS launched a public call for oversight services for a group of seven small hydropower plants built between 1903 and 1953. The project is financed with a loan provided by the EBRD and EPS’ own funds.

Serbia’s state-owned public enterprise Elektroprivreda Srbije – EPS intends to reconstruct and modernize 15 small hydropower plants commissioned 117 to 67 years ago. It is conducting a public procurement for the services of project supervision in an open procedure for the seven facilities.

The project is financed with a loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and own funds. EPS, which calls the group of small hydropower units Istok i Zapad, meaning east and west, said their operational lifespan would be prolonged by 40 years.

Some of them have historical significance and the status of cultural heritage. Oversight is needed for SHPPs Raška or Sopoćani (1953) in Novi Pazar, Sveta Petka (1908) and Sićevo (1931) in Niš, Temac (1940) in Pirot, Sokolovica (1948) in Zaječar, Vučje (1903) in Leskovac and Jelašnica (1928) in Surdulica.

EPS to install two turbines in small hydropower facility Sićevo

Offers will be received by April 24, the document shows. The public procurement is filed under JN 1000/0538/2019 (4176/2019). Energoprojekt-Hidroinženjering ad from Belgrade is responsible for the projects. The deadline for completion is two years since the contract comes into force.

EPS said Sićevo, one of its run-of-river hydropower plants with derivation, is also getting a new powerhouse with two new turbines and accompanying equipment.

The company added the original documentation for the hydroelectric units is incomplete or that data is insufficient and that relevant information would be obtained only after the gear is dismounted. The partner picked for the oversight will thus needs to adapt the proposed solutions.

Fifteen units to be rehabilitated, seven to be built

EBRD gave a EUR 45 million sovereign guaranteed loan to the Serbian company for the project worth EUR 54 million. It is for the rehabilitation of EPS’s existing 15 small hydropower plants with a capacity of 23.2 MW in total and the construction of seven more on existing dams.

Testing, control contract for Moravica SHPP

Separately, EPS announced it will be receiving offers by April 27 for testing and controlling activities in dysfunctional small hydropower plant Moravica in Ivanjica, launched in 1911. It was completely overhauled in 2010 but structural damage led to the suspension of operations the following year.

The selected bidder should first clean the unit and conduct maintenance work. It is possible the device isn’t working as it sat idle for such a long time, the utility noted. The deadline will be six months after the date of the written order.

The nominal capacity of the horizontal Francis turbine, produced by Voith, is 154 kW. The procurement is filed under JN 1000/0504/2019 (4182/2019).

According to the rules during the coronavirus pandemic, only one representative can attend the opening on behalf of each bidder and the person must have a face mask and gloves to be able to come in. Participants are required to obtain a banking guarantee for 2% of the total offer excluding value-added tax.