Serbia’s EPS revives its first solar project

Serbia’s power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has decided to revive its first solar project. It is envisaged with a capacity of 9.95 MW.

The decision to repeat a call for the construction of the Petka solar power plant is yet another proof that Elektroprivreda Srbije is on the road to recovery. The first tender for the construction of a photovoltaic facility was launched in January 2022, but it was canceled a few months later.

Back then EPS said there are no funds available for the investment.

The cancellation was not much of a surprise, because at the beginning of last year EPS was in a very difficult situation. In December 2021, a serial breakdown in its coal, and electricity production facilities forced it to import a large amount of energy. EPS lost EUR 628 million in 2022.

The project was canceled due to a lack of funds

However, Miroslav Tomašević replaced Milorad Grčić in March as acting director and the situation gradually improved. The company announced in January that it was no longer dependent on electricity imports. It earned EUR 55 million from electricity exports from the beginning of the year.

EPS said in a new public call for contractors that the photovoltaic facility would be installed at the external tailings dump of the Ćirikovac coal mine near a settlement called Petka. The dumpsite where it will be located is 2.2 kilometers long and 1.2 kilometers wide, with a maximum height of 60 meters.

EPS opted to set up fixed solar panels

The location is close to thermal power plants Kostolac A and B, which have 1,000 MW in combined capacity.

The project envisages the installation of a total of 18,720 PV modules with an individual capacity of 580 W and a minimum efficiency of 21%.

The deadline for bids is May 20, according to the tender documentation.

EPS opted for fixed panels, without automatic rotation. Manual adjustment of the panels is not envisaged, the company said.