Chinese companies eye hydrogen production in Serbian city of Bor

Chinese company Shanghai Fengling Renewables has presented its plans to invest in renewable energy sources in Serbia, primarily green hydrogen, to Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović.

“Together with our strategic partners from Zijin Mining Group, they are considering the potential construction of a hybrid plant, a solar and wind power facility close to the city of Bor, which would produce green hydrogen and enable Zijin to reduce costs,” said Dubravka Đedović Handanović.

Zijin Mining took over an obsolete mining complex, RTB Bor, in the eastern Serbian city of Bor in 2018. The property is operated by its subsidiary Serbia Zijin Copper.

Minister Đedović Handanović emphasized that this investment would position Serbia as a significant producer and exporter of hydrogen in Europe, the ministry said.

Around EUR 2 billion investments are planned to develop wind farms and solar power plants, energy storage for hydrogen production, and energy production from hydrogen.

She said the planned capacity is 1,500 MW, but it is expected to reach 2,000 MW.

Zijin would consume the entire electricity output, while surpluses would be converted into hydrogen

Đedović Handanović also said that the entire electricity output would be supplied to Serbia Zijin Copper, while surpluses would be converted into hydrogen.

She said the hydrogen output could reach 30,000 tons per year and added that a EUR 10 million investment in an industrial park to manufacture wind turbines is also planned.

The project could help Serbia become a significant exporter of hydrogen to developed countries

She added that the EU member states plan huge investments in hydrogen production, storage and transportation, which should replace fossil fuels. The demand for hydrogen in developed European countries would also increase.

Serbia could become a significant exporter of hydrogen to these countries, Đedović Handanović stressed.

In September, the ministry announced that Zijin Mining intended to build a 300 MW photovoltaic system in Serbia to produce electricity for self-consumption.

The Shanghai Fengling delegation also met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić in Shanghai last week.