Contract signed for modernization of Vlasina HPPs – Extended life for four power plants

The modernization of the hydroelectric power plants of Elektroprivreda Srbije continues, and after the work done in the HPPs Bajina Basta, Zvornik and Djerdap 1, the renovation of the Vlasina HPPs will soon begin. The contract for the reconstruction and modernization of the Vlasina HPPs was signed yesterday by Dusan Zivkovic, General Manager of Elektroprivreda Srbije, and representatives of the contractor Energotehnika Juzna Backa. – On the day when the Vlasina HPPs are celebrating 70 years of operation, we are officially beginning the project of their modernization, which will increase the installed capacity by eight megawatts and ensure their more reliable operation in the next three to four decades. This is a new, extended life for the veteran of the hydro sector of EPS – said Zivkovic.

He reminded that the Vlasina HPPs were unique power plants in the EPS portfolio that operated in a cascade system and that, by producing energy four times in a row, represented a significant source of “peak” energy.

– The total value of the project is EUR 109.7 million and envisages the reconstruction and modernization of production units, auxiliary systems and hydromechanical equipment. The suppliers of the main equipment of the units, namely turbines and generators, will be renowned global companies, Andritz Hydro and Gamesa Electric – said Zivkovic.

Financing will be realized through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the amount of EUR 67 million, the European Union has provided grants in the amount of EUR 15.43 million through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), while the remaining funds of EUR 27.26 million will be provided by EPS.

The signing of the contract was attended by Milan Aleksic, Advisor to the Minister of Mining and Energy for Capital Projects, and Francesco Corbo, Regional Head Energy Europe for the Western Balkans and Croatia, EBRD.

– In the face of climate and technological challenges, our obligation is to modernize the existing production capacities. Investments are the key to what we need to do in the coming years to ensure a secure supply of electricity, in the face of growing demand and the need to rely more on renewable energy sources. The project to reconstruct the Vlasina HPPs is an important step in that direction. With this investment, we are extending the operating life of the power plant, thus continuing the tradition of the plant that has been reliably contributing to energy security for more than 70 years – said Aleksic.

He thanked the European Union for its support for the project and stated that, with the support of the EU, the modernization of the Potpec and Bistrica hydropower plants would also be implemented.

The Vlasina HPPs began operation on November 6, 1955, with the commissioning of the first unit in the Vrla 1 HPP. The system consists of the Vlasina reservoir, four diversion hydropower plants in a cascade, and the Lisina pumping station with the reservoir of the same name. Since the start of operation, the 129 MW power plants have produced more than 17 million GWh of green electricity.

Elektroprivreda Srbije ad Beograd

MVM Južna Bačka doo Novi Sad

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

EBRD Evropska banka za obnovu i razvoj Beograd

EnergyEurope

Vlasina HPPs

EBRD

Dušan Živković

Francesco Corbo

Milan Aleksić

modernization

WBIF