Romania and Serbia signed a strategic memorandum of understanding for the construction of the “Djerdap 3” pumped-storage power plant

Romania and Serbia have taken a historic step toward the large-scale integration of their energy systems by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of the “Džerdap 3” pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant. The strategic document was signed by Romanian Minister and his Serbian counterpart Dubravka Jedović Handanović, marking the start of one of the largest regional investments in Southeast Europe, BalkanEngineer.com learned from the Romanian news agency “Agerpres.”

The future mega-power plant will be located along the Danube River, in close proximity to the existing “Djerdap” hydropower complex on the shared border between the two countries. The project calls for the construction of an impressive 2,400 MW of capacity, which will be commissioned in several phases. Pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant “Džerdap 3” is designed to function as a giant “water battery” that will pump water to a higher-elevation reservoir during periods of low demand and energy surplus and release it to generate electricity during peak load times in the regional grid.

The investment in the facility is estimated at several billion euros, and with the signing of the memorandum, Bucharest and Belgrade have committed to establishing a joint expert group. This group will coordinate the detailed technical studies and complex environmental assessments necessary to protect the Danube’s unique ecosystem and ensure the safety of the international waterway.

The construction of the power plant is considered critical to energy stability in the Balkans, as it will provide balancing capacity for the grids amid the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources in the region.

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