Serbia's Gjerdap 3 hydroelectric project secures US partnership

The United States is seeking partners to help build the Gjerdap 3 pumped‑storage hydroelectric plant on the Danube, a project led by Serbia in coordination with Romania. The plant, planned at kilometer 1007 of the river on the Serbia‑Romania border, would be one of the region’s largest reversible hydro facilities, acting as a "natural battery" for the power grid.

Serbia and the United States signed an energy‑cooperation accord in 2024, and a specialised government working group is evaluating six companies that applied to take part in the project. The Serbian Energy Ministry has not disclosed financing details, but the US Embassy has forwarded questions to the ministry.

According to Serbian energy expert Aleksandar Kovačević, the initiative aims to boost European electricity‑system stability and cut reliance on Russian gas and oil, stating, "In this way dependence on Russian gas and oil would be reduced." The venture aligns with Serbia’s pledge to phase out coal by 2050 and increase renewable‑energy share, as about 70% of its electricity currently comes from coal‑fired plants. Romania, an EU member, has expressed environmental concerns and will assess the project’s impact on the Danube and the protected Gjerdap National Park before granting approval.