Romania and Serbia evaluate the Iron Gates 3 pumped‑storage hydro project

Romania’s government is conducting an inter‑ministerial assessment of the proposed Iron Gates 3 (Djerdap 3) pumped‑storage hydroelectric plant on the Danube, following a public invitation from the U.S. embassy in Belgrade for companies to express interest. The project, aimed at adding about 2,400 MW of capacity with a possible extra 400 MW from wind and solar, is estimated at €2.63 billion and targets completion by 2038.

Romanian officials say they are “in principle fully open” to the scheme but are reviewing economic, energy‑system and environmental impacts, including potential effects on the existing Iron Gates 1 and 2 plants jointly operated with Serbia. Romanian media note possible disputes over water‑resource management and ecological protection in the Danube basin. U.S. construction firm Bechtel has been involved in technical studies since 2021.