ENERGY 2021
BUSINESS
NEW POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PROGRESSING
MODERN EPS DRIVES SERBIA'S ECONOMY The key to improving the complex system of public enterprise Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) is represented by investments in the modernisation of capacity and new projects. EPS investments reached almost half a billion euros in 2020 alone, while its development projects over the last five years were worth approximately two billion euros
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series of EPS investments that were previously launched continued to be implemented in 2021, while completely new projects are set to commence soon. EPS’s focus also includes hydro projects, thereby addressing obligations to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country’s energy mix. On 17th May in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska, near Foča, a new foundation stone was laid for the Buk Bijela Hydro Power Plant on the River Drina, which represents an example of EPS’s new investment projects. “Together with Electric Power Industry of Republika Srpska (ERS), after decades of waiting for this project, EPS is participating in the construction of three new HPPs, with a capacity of 211 megawatts, as a foreign investor with 51 per cent ownership of company HES Gornja Drina. This investment of 520 million euros will bring green kilowatt-hours and increase the energy security of both Serbia and Republika Srpska,” say EPS officials. “The project has been prepared thoroughly, with respect for legal and technical procedures, domestic laws and international standards. The idea that has been discussed for more than 40 years is now finally being put into motion. The plan is for HPP Buk Bijela to generate power of between 93.5 and 114.5 MW, with projected annual production of up to 355 million kilowatt-hours. The laying of the foundation stone marked the start of preparatory works on the construction of this hydro power plant, in which EPS and ERS will jointly invest around 250 million
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euros, proportionate to their respective ownership stakes of 51 and 49 per cent in HES Gornja Drina. According to the assessment of Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, “Construction of HPP Buk Bijela on the Drina represents a fresh start for the relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska but also for the entire region and shows how to work together in the interest of future generations for whom borders will not affect jobs, capital, projects nor survival. This is a project that opens many doors and creates many possibilities. The construction of HPPs Buk Bijela, Foča and Paunci contributes to sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental protection”. Generating green energy is a part of a century-long tradition of EPS, and green energy is today generated at 15 hydro-
electric power plants with a capacity of 3,015 megawatts, which is 38 per cent of EPS’s energy potential. The modernisation of existing hydro capacities is continuing. With the generation unit revitalization, the power generated by the largest hydro power plant in Serbia, Đerdap 1, will be increased by approximately 10 per cent, whilst also extending its lifetime for 40 years. The plan is for works on the final, sixth phase to commence this year. Following completion of the revitalisation of the last generator, EPS’s pearl on the Danube will produce clean, “green” electricity with a capacity of 1,140 megawatts. Total investments in this project will exceed 180 million euros. The next job will be the revitalisation of all 10 generators at HPP Đerdap 2, which will increase the power output by around 50 megawatts. The modernization of the navigation lock
