Serbia and the Republic of Srpska have taken a notable step in regional energy development by signing an agreement through the Electric Power Company of Serbia (EPS) and the Electric Power Company of the Republic of Srpska (EPRS) to prepare for new hydroelectric power plants on the Drina river.
This collaboration aims to enhance energy cooperation and follows a previous agreement to build three hydroelectric facilities along the river, signaling a continued commitment to utilizing the Drina for sustainable energy production.
The agreement outlines the potential for constructing 300 MW hydroelectric plants that could generate up to 1,200 GWh annually, with an estimated investment of €819 million. This initiative, which builds on a 2008 strategy to explore hydroelectric projects along the Drina’s upper reaches, is now moving forward with the preparation of a feasibility study and the search for a strategic partnership to actualize these ambitions.
The project has garnered international interest, notably from Italy, which is keen on importing electricity from the Balkans in alignment with EU renewable energy goals. The presence of Italian and local government officials at the signing underscores a broader regional and international effort to boost energy security and sustainability in the Balkans through strategic infrastructure investments.