In a landmark move towards green energy, the Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedović Handanovic, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese companies Shanghai Fengling and Zijin Copper Bor, heralding the initiation of Serbia’s most ambitious renewable energy venture to date.
The project, a collaborative effort between the Serbian government and the Chinese firms Shanghai Fengling Renewables Co. Ltd and Serbia Zijin Copper, aims to develop a comprehensive renewable energy infrastructure in the vicinity of Bor. The initiative encompasses the construction of a wind farm boasting 1,500 megawatts of capacity and a solar power plant contributing an additional 500 megawatts. A significant component of the project is the establishment of a green hydrogen production facility, projected to produce approximately 30,000 tons annually.
With an estimated investment of around two billion euros, primarily financed by Shanghai Fengling, this venture stands as a pivotal step in Serbia’s transition towards sustainable energy sources. The energy generated will predominantly support the operations of Zijin, one of Serbia’s leading exporters, especially in light of the recent completion of the Bor smeltery’s reconstruction.
Minister Đedović Handanović emphasized the dual benefits of this project, highlighting not only its contribution to Serbia’s environmental protection efforts but also its role in ensuring that a substantial portion of Zijin’s energy needs are met through sustainable means, thereby minimizing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental impact.
The construction of the renewable energy facilities is slated to commence in the first quarter of the following year, with the first phase of 700 megawatts expected to reach completion by mid-2026. The comprehensive project, culminating in a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts and the full operational capability of the green hydrogen production, is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2028, setting a new standard for renewable energy projects in Serbia.
