Chinese GCL takes another step in solar power project in Serbia

Chinese energy company GCL has taken another step toward building the Knjaževac solar power plant. The project in eastern Serbia is one of the largest currently under development in the country.

The Municipal Council of Knjaževac initiated the development of a detailed regulation plan for the Knjaževac solar power plant.

The public discussion on the draft decision lasted from February 3 to 5. After the decision to prepare the plan is adopted, a public discussion will be organized for a period of 15 days.

The initiative was submitted by the interested investor, Central Europe Energy Company, registered in Serbia’s capital Belgrade, according to the draft decision.

Central Europe Energy Company has signed a grid connection contract

The owner of 90% of the firm is GCL Intelligent Energy (Suzhou) from China, while 10% is owned by Central Europe Consulting Company, based in Belgrade.

Of note, in May 2025, Central Europe Energy Company signed a grid connection contract for the proposed plant with Serbia’s transmission system operator (TSO) Elektromreža Srbije (EMS). On the occasion, EMS signed contracts for a total of 11 renewable power plants.

According to EMS, among the nine solar projects, Knjaževac photovoltaic plant was for the biggest capacity – 136 MW.

The head of the Municipality of Knjaževac Milan Đokić said that this is the largest investment in its history. It is estimated at EUR 200 million, he added, as quoted by Knjaževačke Novine.

Đokić: The investment is estimated at EUR 200 million

The detailed regulation plan will cover an area of approximately 267 hectares. The site of the future Knjaževac PV plant is located in parts of the cadastral municipalities of Krenta, Ponor, Mučibaba, and Miljkovac, within the territory of the municipality of Knjaževac.

The deadline for the plan’s preparation is 12 months. Тhe decision implies conducting a strategic environmental assessment of the plan.

Currently, the largest solar park in Serbia is the 27 MW facility installed by Nofar Energy. The project with the largest planned capacity is the 150 MW Solarina, developed by CWP Europe.

GCL operates on almost all continents. Its core business is manufacturing solar panels and energy storage batteries, alongside the development of low-carbon energy solutions.