Negotiations are advancing between Serbia and Azerbaijan regarding the establishment of a new gas-fired power plant in Niš, located in southern Serbia. Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović has been actively engaged in discussions with representatives from Azerbaijan’s SOCAR in Belgrade, marking a significant step forward in this bilateral energy initiative.
The talks have intensified recently, focusing on harmonizing technical specifications and commercial terms for the proposed facility. Following an intergovernmental agreement signed earlier this year, both parties have reported substantial progress in aligning their objectives and expectations for the project.
Azerbaijani experts are currently conducting thorough consultations with key Serbian stakeholders, including EPS and Srbijagas, to ensure that all aspects of the project are well-coordinated. Authorities anticipate that crucial contractual agreements will be finalized by early May, which would enable the project to move into its next development phase.
The forthcoming agreement is expected to outline the roles of each partner, the ownership structure, and the financial contributions required. A joint venture is planned to oversee both the construction and operational phases of the plant, which aims to bolster Serbia’s energy infrastructure and provide a more reliable electricity supply to southern regions and industrial consumers.
Initial assessments suggest that the facility will have an installed capacity of approximately 500 MW of electricity generation and around 150 MW of thermal output. However, these figures may be subject to change based on financial assessments and investment feasibility. The targeted commissioning date for the plant is set for around 2030.
This project underscores the strengthening energy partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan. With a notable increase in gas imports from Azerbaijan over recent years, the new power plant is projected to utilize about 600 million cubic meters of gas annually, further solidifying the energy ties between the two nations.
