Serbia has moved forward on the long-planned Đerdap 3 pumped-storage hydropower project after the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade published a call for expressions of interest. The notice seeks international companies to take part in the project’s development. The initiative is intended to identify strategic partners for engineering services, financing, and construction works.
Companies interested in joining the process must submit letters of intent to Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy by 25 June. The submissions are described as the first phase of a broader selection process. A government-appointed working group oversees the next steps.
Planned design and system role for Đerdap 3
The proposed HPP Đerdap 3 would be located near Golubac on the Danube River. The project is designed as a large-scale pumped-storage facility aimed at improving flexibility in Serbia’s electricity system. It would use surplus power during low-demand periods to pump water from the Đerdap reservoir into higher-altitude storage basins.
During peak demand, stored water would be released to generate electricity. The facility is also intended to support grid balancing and system stability. The concept includes the potential addition of 400 MW of renewable generation from wind and solar sources.
Project scale, investment estimate, and timeline
The planned capacity for Đerdap 3 is 2,400 MW. With that size, it would rank among the largest energy infrastructure projects in Southeast Europe. Current estimates place the investment value at around €2.6 billion.
Completion is targeted for 2038. Alongside Đerdap 3, Serbia has also prioritized the smaller Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower project as an earlier energy storage investment. The international partner selection process indicates continued work on the larger Danube-based project.
Tender framework and U.S. company engagement
The involvement of U.S. companies has been discussed for several years. Interest from engineering group Bechtel emerged in 2021, followed by participation in technical studies in 2022. Further momentum came after Serbia and the United States signed an intergovernmental energy cooperation agreement in Washington in 2024.
The agreement entered into force in March 2025, creating the legal framework for the current tender process. This framework supports the partner search initiative announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.
Romanian coordination and environmental assessments
The project faces ongoing coordination with Romania. Discussions continue as authorities in Bucharest have previously raised concerns that Đerdap 3 could affect operation of the jointly managed Đerdap 1 and Đerdap 2 hydropower plants. Bilateral working groups are assessing potential hydrological and operational impacts along the Danube.
Environmental issues are also part of the planning process. Experts and conservation groups have warned that construction could affect ecosystems within the protected area of Đerdap National Park. They have called for comprehensive environmental impact assessments before any final investment decision.
