The European Commission, through the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans (WBIF), approved EUR 8.44 million euros in grants in the field of energy, which will be used to finance the reconstruction of HPP Bistrica and the preparation of a Feasibility Study including Environmental Impact Assessment for the Central-Balkan Corridor Project. The implementation of these projects will contribute to the increase of production capacities from renewable energy sources, as well as transmission capacities by connecting Serbia with its eastern and western neighbors. Thus, we are going to become an important energy hub of the European power system. Almost one third of the total funds approved have been earmarked for energy projects.
European Commission approved EUR 8.44 million in grants for the reconstruction of HPP Bistrica and the preparation of Feasibility Study including Environmental Impact Assessment for the Central-Balkan Corridor Project
4 August 2023
For the HPP Bistrica reconstruction project, EPS was granted an investment grant of EUR 7,722,671 million, which is sufficient to cover about one fifth of the estimated investment value amounting to EUR 36.1 million.
"By replacing the equipment at the HPP Bistrica, which was built more than 60 years ago, its lifespan will be extended, which will contribute to the security of supply, increase the share of production from renewable energy sources, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions." Design-technical and spatial documents have been prepared for this project and construction permits obtained, so the beginning of the works is planned for the second half of the next year," said Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedović.
For the preparation of a Feasibility Study for the Central-Balkan Corridor project including Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes the construction of a new transmission OHL that would connect central Serbia with the region of Kostolac and, in Phase II, also connecting Serbia and Bulgaria by a new 400 kV transmission OHL and the construction of new transmission OHLs that would connect eastern and western Serbia, the sum of EUR 724,has have been allocated for the account of EMS as beneficiary. The Central-Balkan Corridor, whose estimated investment value is around EUR 195 million, is included in the Pan-European Transmission System Development Plan 2022 of the European Association of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E).
The funds for the rehabilitation of HPP Bistrica were allocated within the 8th call for investment grants OF the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans (WBIF), while for the preparation of a Feasibility Study including Environmental Impact Assessment for the Central-Balkan Corridor Project, funds were allocated from the WBIF’s 29th call for applications for technical assistance.
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