Bechtel in talks for big pumped storage hydropower plant, wind farm in Serbia

Bechtel is interested in building the Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower plant and a big wind farm in Serbia with a total of EUR 2 billion. The American company is already active in the infrastructure sector in Southeastern Europe and Albania, where it got the deal for hydropower plant Skavica.

Virginia-based construction company Bechtel established its presence throughout the Western Balkans and in Croatia by building highways. It now has the ambition to position itself on the regional level in renewable energy as well. Following the meeting with the representatives of the construction giant and the United States Embassy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Zorana Mihajlović revealed that negotiations are ongoing for the projects for pumped-storage hydropower plant Đerdap 3 and one of the largest wind power plants in Europe.

The potential cooperation in energy was discussed at a meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić as well. Mihajlović estimated the value of the two said projects at EUR 2 billion. A delegation from the company and the embassy already spoke to her in March.

The planned capacity of the Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydroelectric plant is 2.4 GW.  According to earlier estimates, it would take EUR 3 billion or EUR 4 billion or even more to build it.

Cooperation is also possible in solar power plant projects

“We are still at the beginning. We still need to discuss it further, but it is important that Bechtel is interested in investing in our energy sector,” she stressed. Deputy Prime Minister Mihajlović revealed that options are under consideration in talks with the United States-based firm for implementing solar power plant projects.

Mihajlović: Energy and climate change topics have become inseparable

“The projects in the new investment plan are worth EUR 17 billion, of which more than EUR 10 billion is for renewable energy sources: for new hydropower plants, wind parks as well as for solar power plants. We introduced new laws. We are preparing the ancillary strategic documents as well. It is the foundation of our vision of a green Serbia. Energy security and independence, together with the utilization of green energy,” Mihajlović said.

Bechtel is working on studies for hydroelectric plant Skavica before start of construction works

Bechtel, a privately owned company, signed a contract with Albania in July for the first phase of works on the construction of hydropower plant Skavica, with a planned capacity of 210 MW. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku said it is conducting feasibility and social and environmental impact studies.

She added the company secured a loan for half of the necessary sum and that the government has to provide the rest. Balluku said she would soon visit the Drim (Drin) river where the hydropower plant will be built, together with US Ambassador Yuri Kim and engineers from the firm.