Serbia’s state-owned power utility EPS has canceled a tender for supervision and consulting services tied to its large-scale self-balancing solar energy project after both submitted bids failed to meet procurement conditions. The decision follows the utility’s determination that neither offer satisfied the required tender requirements. This is the second cancellation of the same procedure.
Supervision contract scope and bid values
The contract is valued at approximately €5.5 million and would have covered oversight for the construction of solar power plants and battery storage systems. The planned facilities are set to be located across multiple municipalities in Serbia. The tender drew two consortiums, one led by New Energy Solutions and another headed by Energoprojekt Entel.
EPS rejected the lower bid from the New Energy Solutions consortium, which was priced at €5.1 million excluding VAT. The utility said the consortium did not provide sufficient evidence of experience preparing technical documentation for energy projects exceeding 100 MW. EPS also challenged references connected to the Cibuk 2 wind farm.
The dispute included whether the consortium had directly produced the technical documentation in question. EPS questioned this point despite confirmation from the project owner that a contract existed.
Second bid rejected over guarantee validity
The second consortium, led by Energoprojekt Entel, submitted an offer of around €5.5 million excluding VAT. EPS stated that this group met the professional qualification criteria required for participation. However, it ultimately rejected the bid on guarantee grounds.
The rejection was linked to a bid guarantee that did not comply with tender rules, specifically citing an insufficient validity period. With neither offer meeting all procurement requirements, EPS confirmed that the procedure could not advance to evaluation or contract award.
The cancellation marks a repeat outcome after a prior suspension of the same tender in mid-2025 under similar circumstances. EPS did not proceed with awarding the supervision contract following its review of both submissions.
Project partnership and planned solar and storage capacity
The supervision tender is part of Serbia’s broader renewable energy initiative being developed with a consortium including Hyundai Engineering and UGT Renewables. The project plan calls for 1 GW of solar capacity alongside battery storage systems totaling 200 MW / 400 MWh. Solar plants are planned across Negotin, Zaječar, Lebane, Leskovac, Bujanovac, and Odžaci.
Completion is targeted for 2028, with delivery structured as a turnkey model that also includes supporting infrastructure.
