Serbia’s state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), has invited bids for a consultant to review and complete the documentation for an international tender to build the Bistrica pumped storage hydropower plant. The consultant would ensure that the tender documentation receives the green light from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), whose loan is expected to finance the Bistrica project.
The consultant will review and align the tender documentation prepared by Energoprojekt Hidroinženjering for the international tender for the construction of the Bistrica pumped storage hydropower plant (RHE Bistrica), with the aim of obtaining JICA’s approval of the documentation, according to the public call.
The planned installed capacity of RHE Bistrica is 660 MW, which would provide the necessary power system balancing and electricity storage. RHE Bistrica is a priority energy project vital for the stability of Serbia’s power system and the integration of renewable energy sources, it reads.
The Bistrica system would connect the waters of the Uvac River, where a dam and reservoir called Klak are to be built, with the waters of the Lim River, where a reservoir called Potpeć already exists.
The planned international tender will select a contractor to carry out construction works, supply and install equipment, and test and commission RHE Bistrica, the call adds.
The contractor for RHE Bistrica will be selected in line with JICA procurement procedures
The contractor for RHE Bistrica will be selected in accordance with JICA’s standard procurement procedures for projects financed through Japanese loans.
The consultant must ensure that the tender documentation complies with the procedures, standards, and specific contract models prescribed by JICA, while also meeting all of EPS’s technical requirements.
Given that certain provisions of the general conditions of the contract are to be amended through particular conditions to reflect the project’s specific characteristics and Serbian legislation, the consultant will be required to pay close attention to reviewing, drafting, and amending these conditions, according to the public call.
The selected consultant will have 10 months to complete the work
The deadline to submit bids is October 6, and the selected consultant will be required to complete the work within 10 months of the contract entering into force.
In mid-2024, the Japanese government approved JICA’s participation in the Bistrica project, which was valued at EUR 1.2 billion at the time. In October that year, the Government of Serbia adopted a spatial plan for the project.
