Djedovic Handanovic, JICA representative discuss Bistrica hydropower plant project

BELGRADE - Serbian caretaker Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic met on Thursday in Belgrade with the Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) Director General for the Middle East and Europe Kotaro Tanaka to discuss progress on the implementation of a Bistrica reversible hydropower plant project, and noted that the majority of technical issues had been agreed on and that the national electric power company EPS had already begun land expropriation activities.

Djedovic Handanovic highlighted the significance of the Bistrica plant for Serbia's energy security and noted the importance of close cooperation with Japanese partners to resolve outstanding issues more efficiently and ensure compliance with planned deadlines, an official statement said.

"We appreciate the close cooperation with Japanese partners in the implementation of this strategic project. In the past period, we have hosted six visits to the site by technical teams to review the progress made, identify potential risks and resolve the remaining issues in a timely manner. I asked the Japanese partners to expedite their procedures while an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study is being finalised, with full compliance with their requirements. It will be submitted to them in December. We noted that the majority of technical issues has been agreed on, which is an important step in further project preparation," she said.

Djedovic Handanovic noted that intensive cooperation continued in order to resolve outstanding issues in the shortest possible time and create the conditions for approvals of financing and a tender for works on the main facility.

The parties said the signing of a loan agreement was planned for mid-2027, during EXPO 2027.

"The Bistrica reversible hydropower plant is the most significant project in the Serbian energy sector and that is why it is important that JICA completes its internal procedures as soon as possible," Djedovic Handanovic said.