The Government of Serbia is currently in the final stages of adopting a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Serbia-Romania gas interconnection. Following a meeting between the Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, and the Romanian Ambassador, Silvia Davidoja, it was announced that the signing of the memorandum is imminent.
The planned investment for the 12.8-kilometer section from Mokrin to the Romanian border amounts to 12 million euros, with construction expected to be completed by 2026, according to Đedović Handanović.
On the Romanian side, the interconnection spans 85 kilometers, with support from the European Union allocated for its construction.
Last December, Serbia completed a 109-kilometer gas interconnection with Bulgaria, partially funded through an EU grant of 49.6 million euros and a favorable loan of 25 million euros from the European Investment Bank. Serbia contributed 15 million euros directly to the project and an additional 7.5 million euros for preparatory work and design.
Minister Đedović Handanović highlighted the longstanding friendship between Serbia and Romania, noting that trade between the two countries has doubled over the past decade. She also mentioned ongoing energy projects of mutual interest, including the construction of HPP “Đerdap 3”.
Following the revitalization of HPP “Đerdap 1”, which added 114 new green megawatts and extended the plant’s operational lifespan by at least 30 years, the revitalization of HPP “Đerdap 2” is scheduled to commence next year. Increasing the capacity of HPP “Đerdap 2” by approximately 50 MW will enhance Serbia’s energy stability for the next three decades.
The construction of new reversible hydroelectric power plants is crucial to ensuring adequate energy to balance new renewable energy capacities during the transition process. The minister emphasized that the construction of HPP “Đerdap” 3 is one of the largest projects in Serbia and the region, with the preliminary feasibility study and general project completed. The Government of Serbia has designated the construction of HPP Đerdap 3 as a project of special importance.
Plans were also discussed to increase electricity transmission capacity, given the substantial volume of electricity trade between Serbia and Romania. Both countries are part of the Trans-Balkan electricity transmission corridor, and the “Beogrid” project aims to boost transmission capacities at the Serbian-Romanian border by approximately 500 megawatts.
