The reconstruction of the Vlasina hydroelectric power plants is set to begin this spring, with a total investment of €83.1 million secured for the project. Of this, €67 million will be provided through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and €16.1 million will come from an EU investment grant via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), according to the EU Delegation in Serbia, as reported by the Ekapija portal.
The funds will be used to fully replace key equipment, including turbines, generators, and hydromechanical components, to ensure the four hydroelectric plants in the system can operate at full capacity. This upgrade will eliminate the frequent repairs currently needed, improving the stability and balance of the power grid and slightly increasing production capacity.
Marko Flipović, a mechanical engineer at the Electric Power Company of Serbia, explained, “The investment project will focus on replacing essential equipment. Once the new turbines, generators, and hydromechanical components are installed, the four hydroelectric plants will operate at full capacity, reducing the need for repairs. This will lead to a more stable power grid and an increase in production capacity.”
The Vlasina hydropower system, which was built between 1946 and 1949, consists of four cascade plants supplied by water from the Vlasina and Lisina artificial lakes. The project, which involved over 15,000 workers, includes an intricate system of canals and tunnels stretching nearly 60 kilometers.
Following this upgrade, similar projects are planned for the reconstruction of the Bistrica, Potpeć, and Đerdap 2 hydropower plants, as well as the Uvac, Kokin Brod and Pirot plants.
