The Ministry of Mining and Energy has launched a public procurement procedure for the production of planning documentation and part of the technical documentation for the construction of the Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower plant.
The scope of work entails studies and technical and planning documentation for Đerdap 3. The selected contractor would be required to deliver the project design, pre-feasibility study, spatial plan of the special purpose area, and a strategic environmental assessment.
In addition to this documentation, the task includes technical support for developing, presenting, aligning and utilizing the results of the documentation, implying coordination and harmonization with relevant national and cross-border entities and other stakeholders.
The deadline for submitting bids is August 20, according to the public call published on the public procurement portal.
The main role of the Đerdap 3 project is to secure electricity storage capacity and flexible power system operation, cover peak demand, provide ancillary services and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources, the call adds.
Intergovernmental agreement between Serbia and US as a key issue for the project implementation
An important factor for the further development of the project is the agreement between the Serbian government and the government of the USA on strategic cooperation in the field of energy in Serbia. The agreement serves as a “framework agreement” for future projects, enabling financing, the involvement of American companies, and technology transfer.
The agreement was signed in 2024 and it entered into force on March 28, 2025.
Of note, the US Embassy in Serbia said in early June that the Government of Serbia has issued a public call to companies from the USA to express interest in participating in the implementation of the project. It was later reported that six companies had applied.
The public call notes that previous analyses pointed to the possibility of establishing a system with an installed capacity of 1,200 MW to 2,400 MW. The project design should specify it.
Impact on cooperation with Romania on the Danube must be analyzed
According to the call, the project is being developed within the existing Đerdap hydropower and navigation system. It is a joint cross-border system operated by Serbia and Romania on the Danube.
Therefore, it is necessary to assess the potential impacts of Đerdap 3 on the operation of hydropower plant (HPP) Đerdap 1 and HPP Đerdap 2, allocation of hydropower potential, water management, navigation, cross-border impacts including environmental impacts, as well as the need for coordination with the Romanian side, the call reads.
A few days ago, Serbia and Romania signed a memorandum of understanding on facilitating the exchange of information regarding the Đerdap 3 project.
