Hydro power plants of Elektroprivreda Srbije continue with excellent generation in 2024 as well, while a half of electricity that has been generated these days is from hydro sector – said Dušan Živković, Acting General Director of Elektroprivrede Srbije after a tour of Ovčar Banja HPP celebrating its 70 years of operation.
Živković highlighted that EPS HPPs have produced 2.3 million MWh in 2024, and thus exceeded the plan by 38% and generation in 2023 by almost 300,000 MWh.
- Due to good operational state of all our units, to dedicated engagement of employees and good hydrology, last year was a record year in electricity generation in HPPs. The plan was exceeded by more than 40 % while the share of hydro green energy in total generation was 36.5 %. This is the result of very well performed rehabilitations – explained EPS CEO. – Rehabilitations shall continue, the plan anticipates completion of Bajina Bašta PSHPP rehabilitation in the next two years, and rehabilitations of Vlasinske, Bistrica, Potpeć and Đerdap 2 HPPs are under preparation. There are developed project documents for all projects, and as far as Vlasinske and Bistrica are concerned, grants have been approved through the Investment Framework for Western Balkan, in the amount of EUR 16 and EUR 7.5 million, respectively. Rehabilitation of hydro capacities is our priority, since in addition to reliability that lasts for decades, rehabilitation brings higher power of the units which leads to a higher capacity for electricity generation from hydro potential. Every green megawatt – hour that is produced has multiple benefits not only for EPS, but also for the entire society, citizens and economy of Serbia.
Živković highlighted that Ovčar Banja and Međuvršje HPPs are in a way pioneers of EPS hydro sector, first hydro power plants built after the World War II and still very reliable, efficient and achieving great results.
Petar Domanović, Elektromorava HPP Director, presented the background and very good results in 2023. The annual generation plan was exceeded by 22 %, and furthermore a daily generation record of 411,913 kWh was achieved. He announced reconstruction of hydro – mechanical equipment that will affect the increase in generation in the years to come.
