Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic and Dusan Zivkovic, General Director of the state-owned power utility EPS, have signed a contract with a consortium comprising Hyundai Engineering and UGT Renewables (UGTR) for a significant project to develop self-balancing solar power plants in Serbia.
The initiative aims to construct large-capacity solar power plants that operate without the need for management and maintenance, with a total installed capacity of at least 1 GW. Additionally, the project will include battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of up to 200 MW/400 MWh.
In October, the Serbian Government recognized the project as a matter of national importance, endorsing its development. Previously, in September, the government had decided to create a Spatial Plan for a designated area to facilitate this strategic project, which will span parts of the cities of Zajecar and Leskovac, as well as the municipalities of Bujanovac, Lebane, Negotin, and Odzaci.
The Spatial Plan will accommodate six solar power plants with integrated battery systems, significantly enhancing Serbia’s energy independence and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. The plan is expected to be drafted within eight months, with funding provided by EPS.
Finance Minister Sinisa Mali stated that construction of the self-balancing solar power plants and battery energy storage systems is set to commence by the end of this year, highlighting it as the largest renewable energy investment in Europe for 2023.
The project will be executed under a turnkey system, meaning that the strategic partners will be responsible not only for building the solar power plants and battery systems but also for all necessary infrastructure development.
