Serbia Seeking Strategic Partner For 1 GW Solar

• Serbia has officially issued a call to secure a strategic partner for a large- scale solar and storage project  
• The 1.2 GW DC/1.0 GW AC solar plant can have a minimum of 200 MW/400 MWh, and a maximum of 300 MW/600 MWh storage capacity  
• Projects need to be divided into 5 or more independent solar power plants, and handed over to the EPS on turnkey basis

The Ministry of Mining and Energy in Serbia is soliciting proposals from interested companies to set up 1.2 GW DC/1.0 GW AC solar PV capacity in the country with a minimum of 200 MW energy storage capacity, to be owned and managed by the national utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS).    

The 200 MW storage component needs to have capacity to store 400 MWh capacity. It can go up to 300 MW/600 MWh. Entire project needs to be handed over to the EPS on turnkey basis.   

The strategic partner, selected under the competitive auction process, will be required to establish this capacity as 5 or more independent solar power plants. It will be required to recommend the locations of these plants and their individual capacity and provide maintenance services for 24 months from the start of operations.    

Solar panels used should have high efficiency, and installed with single axis trackers with a life span of at least 30 years along with inverters with an efficiency of over 98.5%. Bid conditions state that in case of 2 or more bids with the same number of points, priority will be given to the bidder with higher annual turnover of financial resources in the last 3 years.  

Launched in July 2023, the tender will be open to submissions till September 20, 2023. Details are available on the Energy Ministry's website.   

According to the ministry, the call is aligned with the national energy transition objectives and to fulfil its international obligations to expand the use of renewable energy sources. It will enable the country to reduce its reliance on energy imports while providing long-term energy supply security at affordable prices.  

Back in May 2023, the government had reportedly announced it planned to contract a strategic partner to build the above-stated project for EPS (see Serbia Planning 1.2 GW DC Solar & Storage Capacity).  

The tender launch follows the Energy Ministry announcing Serbia's maiden renewable energy auction for 400 MW wind and 50 MW solar capacity in June 2023 (see Wind & Solar Auction Launched In Serbia).