In a significant development for its energy infrastructure, Serbia’s transmission system operator, EMS, has finalized a contract aimed at enhancing the country’s electricity transmission network. This agreement is part of the ongoing efforts to modernize and expand high-voltage capacity within the region.
The contract was awarded to a consortium led by Energotehnika Južna Bačka and Elnos, focusing on upgrading the Bajina Bašta substation into a multi-voltage facility capable of operating at 400/220/35 kV. Additionally, new 400 kV equipment will be installed at the Obrenovac substation as part of this initiative.
This upgrade is a crucial component of the third section of the Trans-Balkan Corridor project, which aims to bolster regional electricity exchange capabilities. This phase also encompasses the construction of a double-circuit 400 kV transmission line connecting Bajina Bašta and Obrenovac. The total investment for this segment amounts to €113.5 million, with an expected completion date set for the end of 2028.
Funding for this project has been arranged through various sources. A notable portion includes a €64.5 million loan from KfW, supplemented by a €21 million grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The remaining financing will be provided by EMS itself. These upgrades are anticipated to significantly enhance transmission capacity and facilitate the integration of new generation assets, such as the planned pumped-storage hydropower plant Bistrica, which is expected to play a vital role in maintaining system balance.
Management at EMS has indicated that these modernization efforts will not only improve system reliability but also increase cross-border transfer capacity. Construction activities for the transmission line are already in progress and represent a fundamental aspect of the project’s implementation phase.
The broader scope of the Trans-Balkan Corridor project is valued at approximately €221 million and has been developed incrementally over recent years. Previous segments include the Pančevo–Romanian border interconnection completed in 2017 and the Kragujevac–Kraljevo segment finalized in 2022.
Looking ahead, future phases will concentrate on extending this corridor westward with a new 400 kV line aimed at connecting Višegrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Pljevlja in Montenegro, thereby further enhancing regional electricity interconnections across Southeast Europe.
