Work on engineering designs and land expropriation for the Bistrica pumped storage hydropower plant is in full swing, with a tender for its construction planned for next year, according to Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović.
Preparatory works are expected to begin in the coming months, said Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, who chaired the seventh meeting of the working group for the project’s implementation.
She explained that the tender for the construction of the main facility will be launched next year in line with all the requirements of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Cooperation with JICA has been stepped up, and a loan agreement is expected to be signed next year, during the EXPO 2027 exhibition in Belgrade, according to her.
The conditions for issuing a building permit for the main facility could be in place early next year
“The project is now in full swing, with activities significantly accelerated, particularly since late last year. Under current momentum, the conditions for issuing the building permit for the main facility are expected to be met early next year,” Đedović Handanović stressed.
She noted that the Bistrica pumped storage HPP represents one of Serbia’s most significant strategic energy projects, with a total installed capacity of 660 MW and annual generation of 1,600 GWh.
According to the ministry, the meeting concluded that efficient inter-institutional coordination will be crucial going forward, particularly on the issue of spoil disposal and the review and adoption of the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) being prepared by JICA.
The working group reviewed progress on technical and tender documentation, coordination with JICA, and preparations for upcoming implementation phases.
245 applications submitted so far for permitting requirements
Minister Đedović Handanović said that 245 applications have been submitted to authorities so far to obtain technical requirements for various permits and approvals. A portion of them has been processed over the past six months, reflecting the heavy volume of ongoing preparatory activities, with a similar workload anticipated in the period ahead.
“Four urban design projects have been approved, establishing the full planning framework required for implementation. A total of eight location conditions documents have been issued, while six more are currently being processed and will be secured by the end of September,” the minister added.
She also said that six decisions declaring expropriation to be in the public interest have been adopted, enabling the settlement of property rights across all land plots envisaged in the planning documents.
Đedović Handanović also noted that preliminary designs for the main system and the grid connection switchyard have been completed and submitted to the state review commission. The drafting of an additional 11 preliminary designs is in its final phase, and they will also be submitted for review by the end of the year.
