Serbia will maintain good relations with both the United States and Russia, the Balkan country’s Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović said ahead of today’s beginning of a strategic dialogue with the US. Energy will be among more important areas, including renewables and new sources, the Đerdap 3 project, geothermal energy, and the nuclear program, she stated. The future pumped storage hydropower plant on the Danube could become the largest in Europe.
Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Đedović Handanović told public broadcaster RTS that the strategic dialogue with the US begins today in Washington and that energy would be one of the more important areas, with a focus on strengthening regional energy security, developing strategic projects and improving partnership with American companies.
The process builds upon the bilateral agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of energy, signed two years ago, and elevates Serbia’s status in diplomatic and economic relations with the White House.
“There is a lot of room to solidify cooperation with the US and it is very important for us. A large number of American investors and companies with experience, knowledge and technologies can assist us in strengthening our energy infrastructure in the decades to come. This generation has the opportunity within the next five to ten years to complete key projects important for the next seven or eight decades, so that we can secure enough energy,” the minister pointed out.
She added that the topics of discussions would encompass new energy sources, the implementation of the Đerdap 3 pumped storage hydropower project, gas infrastructure improvement, development of geothermal energy as well as technical cooperation in considering possibilities for the development of Serbia’s nuclear program.
Serbia hopes that US would show understanding over NIS
The minister pointed out that Serbia has already been facing challenges for 18 months because oil refiner and retailer NIS found itself under American sanctions.
“It is important for us to strengthen our reserves. We have doubled them in the last three years, and we will continue to monitor market supply and fight against price increases. Our budget is suffering. Excise duties have been reduced by 20%, and it is up to us to preserve the stability of supply and make decisions that will not jeopardize it. Anything beyond our ability to decide, such as the relations between the US and Russia, we cannot influence, but we will protect our position and good relations with both sides,” she said.
She expressed hope that American partners would understand the situation in Serbia and the need for the Pančevo oil refinery to continue operating under conditions of rising crude oil prices and difficulties with transport routes due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Đerdap 3 estimated at 1.8 GW
Đedović Handanović recalled that a memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday between Serbia and Romania on the exchange of information for the realization of the Đerdap 3 project. It has the potential to become the largest pumped storage hydropower plant in Europe, she underscored.
The capacity will range between 1.2 and 2.4 GW, and Serbia is currently considering the 1.8 GW version, the minister added. On the throne is the Grand’Maison Dam in southeastern France, with 1.8 GW in generation mode.
The largest European pumped storage hydropower plant, Grand’Maison Dam in southeastern France, has 1.8 GW in electricity generation capacity
“It is a project that will enable storing energy when there is a surplus, as well as its utilization when it is needed most. This represents additional energy security in the upcoming era of electricity,” said Đedović Handanović.
The adoption of the preliminary feasibility study, the completion of the general project, and the preparation of the strategic environmental impact assessment are to follow. Within the framework of the 2024 agreement with the US, a partner will be selected through a public call, and further negotiations will be entered into with them, Đedović Handanović specified.
She pointed out that Serbia remains open to the possibility of involving Romania if there is interest in doing so. She recalled that, in cooperation with the US, the neighboring country is developing a project for small modular reactors.
Executive Director of the US National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen yesterday welcomed to the White House Serbia’s Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy for International Cooperation and European Integration Jovana Joksimović. The strategic dialogue at the US Department of State will enable the relationship between the two countries to strengthen, he stressed.
“Many great US companies to be involved in helping Serbia with energy dominance! An incredibly important energy ally in the region,” Agen wrote on LinkedIn.
