The small hydropower plants “Vučje” and “Jelašnica”, which are centuries-old landmarks and symbols of the Electric Power Company of Serbia (EPS), have been revitalized and are now operational again after extensive renovation. These plants, which are historical monuments, represent both the technical heritage and the pioneering spirit of Serbia’s electrification efforts. Following the renovation, these small hydropower plants have been given a new lease on life. EPS has invested approximately EUR 3 million into the revitalization project.
The entire equipment in both small hydropower plants has been replaced, and improvements have been made to the hydromechanical equipment, supply organs, canals, and pipelines. With these modernizations, their operational lifespan has been extended by at least another 30 years, according to Dragan Jović, director of energy production at the Renewable Sources branch.
Built between 1900 and 1940, these small hydropower plants are key custodians of Serbia’s technical heritage. Given the historical context of their construction, they serve as a link to the early days of electrification in Serbia while also highlighting the ongoing efforts of the electrical industry to stay in step with global advancements. EPS remains committed to continuing this path today.
The “Vučje” small hydropower plant began operations on December 24, 1903, and was developed by Đorđe Stanojević, a pioneer of electrification in Serbia, along with enterprising industrialists from Leskovac. Initially, around 700 households received electricity, and 400 street lamps were installed in Leskovac. The plant also powered a number of small workshops, such as cord makers and twine factories, fostering the development of Leskovac’s textile industry, which earned the city the nickname “Manchester of Serbia.” The project was a remarkable engineering feat, with a 1,000-meter supply channel constructed through the forested areas and cliffs of the river canyon. A 17-kilometer transmission line to Leskovac was built, marking the beginning of Serbia’s transmission system.
In 2023, the Serbian government declared the “Vučje” hydropower plant a cultural monument, recognizing it as a significant technical achievement. The plant was celebrated for its unique engineering solutions, preserved hydromechanical and mechanical assemblies, and its historical role in Serbia’s modernization. In 2005, the IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers included the “Vučje” plant on its “milestone” list, which features notable inventions and landmarks crucial to the history of electrical engineering. As a result, “Vučje” has become a part of global technical heritage.
Meanwhile, the “Jelašnica” small hydropower plant, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in three years, was constructed on the Jelašnica River, about 4.5 kilometers from Vladičina Han. Built by “Aksionarsko elektrische društvo” from Vranje, the plant features a machine plant building constructed in a location with the largest rock mass removed for its foundations. The turbines and generators, received as war reparations in 1922, have been operational since the plant’s inception. While the plant initially had few consumers, the excess electricity produced was used to provide free electrical installations to poorer households.
