Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, at the start of construction on the third section of the Transbalkan electricity transmission corridor, emphasized that this is the most important project in the transmission system not only for Serbia but for Southeast Europe as a whole. She compared the transmission lines to highways for energy and highlighted the significance of beginning work on the new 109-kilometer stretch from Obrenovac to Bajina Bašta.
The minister noted that the project, with an investment of around 100 million euros, will enhance the security of electricity supply for consumers in western Serbia and strengthen interconnections with neighboring countries. With the construction of the Transbalkan corridor, Serbia is already connected to Romania, and upon completion, the project will further improve links with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and eventually Italy.
Đedović Handanović also expressed gratitude to the European Union and the German government for their financial support of the Transbalkan corridor, which is crucial for connecting the future “Bistrica” hydroelectric plant. She urged contractors to adhere to the timeline to complete the project within the planned two and a half years.
EU Delegation Head to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, announced that the EU has donated 38.3 million euros for the Transbalkan corridor project, with 18.9 million euros allocated specifically for the third section. Since 2000, the EU has invested around one billion euros in Serbia’s energy sector to make it stronger and more stable. He added that connecting Serbia with neighboring countries will better integrate the regional energy systems and facilitate the integration of renewable energy capacities.
Judith Hoffmann, Head of Economic Cooperation at the German Embassy, stated that Germany has invested approximately 2.5 billion euros in Serbia’s sustainable development over the past 25 years, with two-thirds of that directed to the energy sector. She also reminded that the German development bank KfW is involved in financing the last three sections of the Transbalkan corridor.
