Serbia officially launches modernization of Vlasina hydropower plants

Serbia’s state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), has officially launched a rehabilitation project for the Vlasina hydropower cascade, which will increase its installed capacity and extend its operating life. The project is valued at EUR 109.7 million, with most of the funding secured through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a grant from the European Union.

The Vlasina hydropower cascade (Vlasinske hidroelektrane), which has been in operation for more than 70 years, includes four power plants with a total installed capacity of around 129 MW. The modernization project, expected to last three to four years, will increase its overall capacity by 8 MW.

The Vlasina cascade also includes a pumping station

The Vlasina cascade comprises two reservoirs and a pumping station that pumps water from the Lake Lisina reservoir back into the Lake Vlasina reservoir, effectively making the system a type of pumped storage facility.

Serbia also has one regular pumped storage hydropower plant, Bajina Bašta, and plans to build two more – Bistrica and Đerdap 3.

Reliable operation for the next 30-40 years

In addition to increasing the installed capacity, the reconstruction of the Vlasina hydropower plants will also ensure their reliable operation for the next three to four decades, EPS CEO Dušan Živković said in November.

The total value of the project is EUR 109.7 million. It envisages the reconstruction and modernization of power generation units, auxiliary systems, and hydromechanical equipment.

The main contractor is Energotehnika – Južna Bačka, with key equipment supplied by Andritz Hydro and Gamesa Electric. The works will be supervised by Swiss-Serbian consortium Gruner-NET Invest.

The EBRD has approved a EUR 67 million loan for the project

Financing has been secured through a EUR 67 million loan from the EBRD, a EUR 15.4 million grant from the EU via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and EPS’s own funds in the amount of EUR 27.26 million.