Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) announced that due to extremely unfavorable hydrological conditions for the second consecutive dry year, electricity production in its hydroelectric power plants will be the lowest in the company’s history.
The poor hydrological situation is caused by exceptionally low rainfall in the Drina and Danube river basins over the past 18 months. Lack of precipitation, including snow and rain in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, has affected water levels in the Drina and Danube rivers in Serbia. Periodic rainfall this year and recent precipitation in Serbia have not improved inflows to the hydroelectric plants.
Since the beginning of the year, hydroelectric capacities have produced about 6.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The final production outcome will depend on whether and how much the hydrological situation improves in the coming months.
EPS highlighted that hydroelectric production in 2025 is expected to be about 25 percent lower than last year and up to 40 percent lower than in 2023, when hydro plants produced 12.66 billion kWh. Current forecasts estimate production around eight billion kWh, which is lower than the previous record low of 8.3 billion kWh recorded 36 years ago.
Upgrades at the “Đerdap 1,” “Bajina Bašta,” and “Zvornik” hydroelectric plants have ensured that refurbished turbines operate with high efficiency, converting every drop of water into energy. However, river inflows continue to dictate production, and water levels in the Drina and Danube, home to the largest EPS hydro plants, have remained far below long-term averages throughout the year.
The low water levels are highlighted by periods when the Danube was not navigable this year and last. Since the beginning of the century, the long-term average inflow on the Danube has been 5,257 cubic meters per second, while in 2025 it has been only 3,822 cubic meters per second. The Drina shows a similar pattern, with very low inflows over the past six months. The average inflow in 2025 is only 239 cubic meters per second, nearly 100 cubic meters below the long-term average.
EPS emphasized that careful and planned management of reservoir reserves is crucial to preserve water for the upcoming winter season.
