Romania mulls Danube HEP plant project with Serbia

Romania’s Energy Ministry confirmed that it may partner with Serbia to build a third hydroelectric power (HEP) plant on the Iron Gates gorge stretch of the River Danube.

The ministry was reacting to a report in Radio Free Europe that said the Serbian Energy Ministry had claimed that a coordination team had already been set up for the project. Serbia has declared the construction of Derdap 3 a project of special importance. Derdap 1 was commissioned in 1972, and Derdap 2 in 1985.

The Romanian Energy Ministry clarified that Derdap 3 could be “positive and Romania could have the willingness to join with an equal participation”. It added however that “the consequences on the environment and navigability must be carefully taken into account, and the Serbian side can only realize this project in close cooperation with Romania. We note that there is currently no joint Romanian-Serbian working group regarding the Iron Gates III project,” in a statement, which was released on Thursday 23 May.

The two existing Derdap HEP plants have a 1,605MW capacity, and account for 20% of Serbia’s electricity production. With the addition of a third unit, they would have a power of 2,400MW, according to plans.

Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said “For over 50 years we have been successfully jointly operating particularly complex hydropower and navigation facilities, in this case the Iron Gates I and II. 

“The Serbian intentions to build a new pumped storage hydropower plant, needs to be discussed at length in the joint working groups. Such a project could have a significant impact on the environment and navigability, including on the Romanian side,” he added.

At the last meeting with Serbia Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic we asked her to intensify the dialogue urgently, as the project will be unable to start without Romania’s agreement, Burduja said.