In a significant move for its energy sector, Serbia has approved land expropriation for the Bistrica pump-storage hydropower project, marking a crucial step in its development. This administrative decision underscores the project’s importance to the national energy strategy and facilitates the acquisition of necessary properties for construction and infrastructure.
The expropriation process will encompass various cadastral zones within the municipalities of Nova Varoš and Priboj. Key areas involved include Radoinja, Rutoši, Seništa, Čelice, Kratovo, and Pribojske Čelice. The procedures will adhere to existing spatial planning documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks governing both the Bistrica project and the adjacent Poteć hydropower system.
Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the state-owned power utility, has been designated as the beneficiary of this expropriation. Once the legal processes are finalized, EPS will assume control over the land and facilities, positioning itself at the forefront of the project’s execution and future asset management responsibilities.
The Bistrica hydropower plant is integral to Serbia’s strategy to enhance its electricity system’s flexibility and reliability through increased pump-storage capacity. Officials anticipate that this facility will play a pivotal role in balancing energy supply and improving overall system performance. The project is expected to contribute significantly to grid stability and facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy sources into the national grid. Preparatory works are slated to commence within the year, indicating a shift from planning to active implementation.
