Serbia has advanced work on the proposed Djerdap 3 pumped-storage hydropower project, with a Bechtel-Enka consortium qualifying for the next stage of government negotiations. At the same time, a Serbian engineering consortium is preparing the project’s planning framework. The Ministry of Mining and Energy said six companies responded to a public call conducted under the Serbia-US intergovernmental energy agreement. Only Bechtel-Enka was assessed as meeting the requirements for further negotiations.
Government negotiations and selection process
The ministry’s statement covered the public call under the Serbia-US intergovernmental energy agreement, in which six companies submitted responses. The assessment outcome left Bechtel-Enka as the only consortium meeting the requirements to proceed to further talks. The next stage of government negotiations is expected to focus on additional technical work. Discussions are set to continue between the ministry and the Bechtel and Enka teams.
Planning framework and early studies
Separately, a consortium led by Serbia’s Jaroslav Cerni Water Institute has been tasked with preparing a preliminary feasibility study, general design and key planning documentation. The domestic group will also produce a special-purpose spatial plan and a strategic environmental impact assessment. These preparatory tasks are being carried out alongside the government negotiation track involving Bechtel and Enka. The two tracks will continue separately, with planning and feasibility documentation handled by the Serbian consortium.
Project concept and cross-border considerations
Djerdap 3 is planned as a large pumped-storage facility designed to store electricity by pumping water into an elevated reservoir. Power would be generated by releasing water through turbines when system demand and prices increase. Serbian officials have previously described the project as having potential to become one of Europe’s largest natural energy-storage facilities. Its scale would also make it one of Southeast Europe’s largest electricity-infrastructure investments.
The project’s size is associated with technical, environmental and regulatory complexity, including potential impacts extending beyond Serbia. Operational and engineering arrangements would require coordination with neighbouring countries where relevant impacts occur. For Serbia’s power system, Djerdap 3 is becoming more relevant as additional wind and solar capacity enters operation. However, detailed studies are still required to define technical configuration, environmental constraints, cross-border implications and economic viability before moving toward a bankable construction project.
