Romania and Serbia sign memorandum for Porțile de Fier III hydro project
Romanian Prime Minister (interim) Ilie Bolojan and Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange information on the Djerdap 3 (Porțile de Fier III) pumped‑storage hydroelectric project on the Danube. The project, estimated at about €2.6 billion, would have a capacity of roughly 2 400 MW and is intended to store surplus renewable energy and balance the regional power grid, enhancing energy security, economic competitiveness and living standards.
Romania stipulated technical guarantees that the new plant must not impair the operation of the existing Porțile de Fier I and II facilities or navigation on the river. The memorandum creates a framework for joint technical studies and for assessing environmental and cross‑border impacts. The agreement follows a bilateral meeting in Bucharest and follows earlier statements by Romanian officials that energy has become a matter of national security.
Former Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan accused USR ministers of delaying the memorandum’s approval, alleging political and bureaucratic blockages, but the signing marks the latest step toward advancing the joint venture.