EPS procurement update ahead of international construction tender
Serbia’s state power utility EPS has launched a consultancy tender to revise procurement documents for the planned 660 MW Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower plant before an international construction tender. The existing procurement documentation was prepared by Energoprojekt Hidroinzenjering and is intended to serve as the basis for the main construction contract. The revised package must be aligned with requirements of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) before procurement of the main contractor can start.
The consultancy work is expected to last 10 months, with bids due by Oct. 6. EPS plans to launch the international construction tender after JICA approves the final procurement documentation. The subsequent tender would be conducted under JICA rules for projects financed through Japanese official development assistance.
Scope of main contract and JICA-aligned documentation review
The main construction contract is expected to cover civil works, equipment manufacturing and supply, installation of hydromechanical, mechanical and electrical systems, and subsequent testing and commissioning. Prior to issuing that procurement, the documentation package must be updated to meet JICA requirements. The selected consultant will revise the package using JICA’s standard procurement documents and the 2017 FIDIC Yellow Book.
The assignment includes reviewing Particular Conditions that amend the standard FIDIC General Conditions to account for Serbian legislation and project-specific requirements. The consultant is expected to identify inconsistencies and recommend changes needed for JICA approval. Short factual transitions between these steps relate to aligning contractual terms before the main contractor procurement process begins.
Bistrica project configuration and operating parameters
The Bistrica project would connect a new Klak reservoir on the Uvac river with the existing Potpec reservoir on the Lim through tunnels and pipelines. The design calls for four reversible Francis units. The plant is specified with a maximum gross head of about 380 metres.
For generation, the project is designed for a flow of 216 cubic metres per second, while pumping flow is set at 168 cubic metres per second. The plant is intended to provide Serbia with large-scale storage and balancing capacity by absorbing electricity during periods of lower demand and returning it to the grid during tighter system conditions.
