The Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy has signed a contract for preparing part of the design and technical documentation for the Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower plant. The investment in Đerdap 3 is currently estimated at around EUR 2.6 billion, with initial plans envisaging a capacity of up to 1,800 MW.
The contract, signed with a consortium led by Belgrade-based water resources engineering firm Jaroslav Černi, envisages preparing a pre-feasibility study with a general design, as well as a special-purpose spatial plan with a strategic environmental assessment. The ministry said this is one of the crucial steps in developing the Đerdap 3 project.
Serbia’s outgoing Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, has said the contract signing marks the project’s transition from the analysis phase to concrete implementation.
She also said the aim is to complete all project documentation for Đerdap 3 by the end of 2029 at the latest, so that construction can begin as soon as possible.
The aim is to complete all project documentation for Đerdap 3 by the end of 2029
The analyses conducted so far have considered various options for developing the project, with the initial plans envisaging a capacity of up to 1,800 MW, an estimated investment of around EUR 2.6 billion, and the possibility of further expansion, the ministry said in a statement.
However, the final design, capacity, and investment value will be determined through further preparation and review of the design and technical documentation, it added.
The final design and capacity have yet to be determined
“The Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower plant is one of the most important strategic projects for the future of Serbia’s power system. Depending on its capacity, Đerdap 3 could also become Europe’s largest natural battery,” Đedović Handanović stressed.
The project will enable greater integration of renewable energy sources from Serbia and the Southeast Europe region, provide significant balancing capacity, further improve Serbia’s energy security, and strengthen the country’s position in the regional market, according to her.
Talks with Romania and US company Bechtel
In parallel with preparing the documentation for Đerdap 3, Serbia will step up talks with Romania on all relevant project issues that concern both countries, Đedović Handanović added.
Serbia and Romania signed a memorandum of understanding this summer to facilitate the exchange of information related to the Đerdap 3 project.
Đedović Handanović added that talks are also underway with US construction company Bechtel, which emerged as the sole qualified bidder following a public call to select a partner for the Đerdap 3 project.
The call was issued based on an agreement between Serbia and the United States on strategic cooperation in the energy sector.
In addition to Đerdap 3, Serbia also plans to build the Bistrica pumped storage hydropower plant. Đedović Handanović recently said a tender for its construction was expected to be launched in 2027.
