Serbia’s selection process for the proposed Đerdap 3 pumped-storage hydropower project has advanced to a second stage with only one applicant qualifying. A government-appointed evaluation committee reviewed six submissions from companies seeking to participate in the development. The committee judged the Bechtel consortium to be the only candidate meeting all technical and administrative requirements in the public invitation.
Expression-of-interest submissions and eligibility screening
Serbia launched the expression-of-interest process in early June, with applications due by 25 June 2026. The submissions included Fresh Development with Serbia’s LDS, and Bechtel UK Holdings International with Turkey’s ENKA. Other participants were Voith Hydro, Channell Commercial Corporation, Moravacem, and Global TBM Company, which operates under the Robbins brand.
The first stage was designed to test eligibility ahead of a more detailed competitive procedure. Five applicants failed to progress, leaving Bechtel in a strong position for the next phase. Qualification for the second stage does not by itself amount to a construction award or a final investment decision.
Planning documentation procurement and technical scope
A separate procurement is under way for planning documents and part of the technical documentation required for the project. This work is expected to define key elements including plant capacity, reservoir arrangement, environmental footprint, and geological conditions. It will also cover grid connection requirements and construction cost inputs.
Bechtel’s prior involvement and regional infrastructure work
Bechtel has been associated with Đerdap 3 for several years. In 2022, the US engineering and construction group said it was prepared to finance a preliminary feasibility study .
The company has also been involved in infrastructure discussions elsewhere in the Western Balkans. It has been considered for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Southern Gas Interconnection and signed an agreement with Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in 2020 on preparatory work for the proposed Skavica hydropower project .
Role of pumped storage in Serbia’s power system
Đerdap 3 is described as providing Serbia with large-scale flexibility for balancing wind and solar generation. It is also intended to support evening demand management and cross-border electricity trading. The project’s bankability is linked to a realistic construction budget, hydrological design, environmental approval, market revenues, and risk allocation between the state, EPS, contractors, and financiers.
With only a single qualified consortium moving forward, negotiations may proceed faster. The process also increases emphasis on independent cost benchmarking, open-book technical review, and a robust contractual structure before Serbia commits to an asset described as exceptionally capital-intensive .
