Solar-thermal plant with 38,600 m2 of collector fields to be built in Novi Sad – EBRD approves loan of EUR 105 million

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a tranched loan in the amount of up to EUR 105 million to the Republic of Serbia for the financing of a solar-thermal facility in Novi Sad.

As announced by the bank, the loan is approved for the benefit of Novosadska Toplana Novi Sad, the district heating company of Novi Sad, owned by the City of Novi Sad. The proceeds of the loan will be used to finance the construction of a large-scale solar-thermal plant in Novi Sad, with 38,600 m2 of solar collector fields, a seasonal heat storage, heat pump and an eBoiler.

The Project is part of the Green Cities Framework and is included in the Green City Action Plan being developed by the City of Novi Sad. The Project is expected to be co-financed with an investment grant to be provided by the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

According to the technical documentation, published by the EBRD, at the start of the Project, the Seasonal Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) will be filled with treated water (capacity of approximately 850,000 m3) from the Danube River, produced within existing facilities of CHP Novi Sad (TETO Novi Sad). The water within the PTES will remain stored throughout its lifetime, with only minimal losses due to evaporation, requiring occasional replenishment.

According to the Feasibility Study, the estimated land requirement is approximately 15 ha for the PTES, 7.4 ha for the solar thermal plant, and around 0.45 ha for the technical building. The land is state-owned and currently being leased to tenants.

– There is a risk of groundwater intrusion during the excavation for the underground part of PTES, therefore, appropriate design measures must be implemented in line with an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP). The Project-specific ESMP includes appropriate measures for pollution prevention and managing hazardous substances during both construction and operation and maintenance phases. Waste will be generated throughout all phases of the Project and development of waste management plans for each Project phase is mandatory in line with ESAP. On-site supervision of Contractor practices and adherence to waste management laws must be ensured in line with the ESAP – it is said.

As said, an 8-meter embankment has been erected along the Danube River, designed to withstand 100-year flood events.

EBRD Evropska banka za obnovu i razvoj Beograd

JKP Novosadska toplana Novi Sad

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EBRD

Novosadska Toplana

Western Balkans Investment Framework

WBIF

Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan

SECAP

Green Cities Window 1 Framework

solar thermal plant