The Tresibaba area in eastern Serbia is poised to become the site of the country’s largest solar power plant, with a planned capacity of 170 MW. This significant renewable energy initiative is being spearheaded by the Chinese energy group GCL, which operates locally through its Serbian subsidiary, Central Europe Energy Company. The project marks a pivotal development in Serbia’s energy landscape as it seeks to expand its renewable energy portfolio.
Local authorities have hailed this project as a transformative investment for the municipality of Knjaževac, with total funding estimated at approximately 200 million euros. This investment represents the largest single project in the municipality’s history, underscoring its potential impact on regional economic development and job creation.
To facilitate the construction of the solar facility, roughly 270 hectares of state-owned land have been leased. These plots fall within the lowest land-quality category, aligning with Serbian regulations that permit renewable energy projects to utilize fifth-category land and below. This approach is designed to mitigate adverse effects on higher-value agricultural areas. Under the terms of the lease agreement, GCL will pay an annual fee of 1,050 euros per hectare, with 40% allocated for Knjaževac’s municipal budget and 60% directed to the state budget.
The entry of such a large-scale investor is viewed by municipal leaders as indicative of Knjaževac’s growing reputation as a viable location for complex and capital-intensive projects. This development not only strengthens the municipality’s position on Serbia’s renewable energy map but also reflects broader trends in investment and infrastructure development in the region.
