Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, met with Toyama Kei, General Director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Middle East and Europe, and the agency’s delegation to discuss progress on the Bistrica Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant (PSHPP) project.
The meeting focused on preparations for the start of construction, the next steps in completing the technical documentation, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, which is a key requirement for JICA’s financing approval.
Ongoing negotiations
“Ongoing negotiations with JICA concern the construction of the Bistrica pumped storage hydropower plant, a strategic project for Serbia that will ensure the stability of electricity supply and balance the growing share of solar and wind energy in the system,” said Đedović Handanović.
“It is important that construction begins as soon as possible. We discussed the current status of documentation, necessary updates to the environmental impact study, and the condition of the existing Radoinja Dam — all essential steps toward potential loan approval. The entire process must be implemented safely, in full compliance with environmental protection standards,” she emphasized.
The minister added that the meeting also covered possible financing models and mechanisms for the project through JICA, noting that President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent visit to Japan reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations and the potential for deepening cooperation.
Strategic importance
“The strategic importance of the Bistrica project has been reaffirmed in the updated list of priority energy projects to be implemented by the end of this decade, adopted by the Serbian Government,” Đedović Handanović said. She added that the Environmental Impact Assessment Study is in its final phase of alignment with the new Environmental Impact Assessment Law and JICA’s specific requirements.
