The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a loan of up to €105 million for the development of a solar-thermal facility in Novi Sad. The loan will be allocated to the city-owned district heating company and will support the construction of a large-scale solar-thermal plant. The facility will feature 38,600 square meters of solar collector fields, a seasonal heat storage system, a heat pump, and an eBoiler.
This project is part of the Green Cities Framework and is included in Novi Sad’s Green City Action Plan. In addition to the EBRD loan, the project is expected to receive further financing through an investment grant from the European Union under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
According to EBRD technical documentation, the Seasonal Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) system will initially store approximately 850,000 cubic meters of treated water sourced from the Danube River, using existing facilities at CHPP Novi Sad. The water will remain in the PTES for its lifespan, with only minor replenishment needed due to evaporation.
The feasibility study indicates that the land required for the project will include approximately 15 hectares for the PTES, 7.4 hectares for the solar-thermal plant, and 0.45 hectares for the technical building.
