During the meeting with the Vice President of Vojvodina’s Provincial Government Djordje Milicevic, representatives of Chinese companies Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited (CHDHK) and Tianjin Dredging Corporation (CCCC TDC) and Serbian oil company NIS said that they are still interested in the project for the construction of thermal power plant and coalmine near Kovin and are prepared to continue the implementation of the project at an accelerated pace.
The project involves the construction of an underwater coalmine and a thermal power plant with power output of 700 MW, on the left bank of the Danube river near Kovin, some 70 kilometers from Belgrade. The project has been announced in 2013, but later it was reported that Chinese investors consider giving up the project.
Kovin coalmine is unique in the world in terms of coal production, having in mind that coal is being excavated 40 meters under the level of the Danube river. The coalmine should be enlarged on the surface, where the TPP should be built. Estimated coal reserves in the area stands at 276 million tons, the official studies showed. In 2014, its coal production amounted to 180,000 tons.
One of the issue with this project is that the coalmine and the future TPP will be located near sources of fresh water, within the defensive belt between Kovin and the Danube river. However, some experts said that water pollution would be minimal.
