Serbia’s transmission system operator, Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), has finalized a contract for the expansion and reconstruction of the 220/35 kV Bajina Bašta substation, transforming it into a 400/220/35 kV facility. The project has been awarded to a consortium consisting of Energotehnika Južna Bačka and Elnos following an international tender process. Additionally, the project includes the installation of two 400 kV line bays at the Obrenovac substation, facilitating the connection with a new double-circuit 400 kV transmission line currently under construction between the two locations.
This investment is a key component of the third section of the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor, which is part of Serbia’s grid modernization initiative linking Bajina Bašta and Obrenovac with a new 109-kilometer 400 kV line. The financial commitment for this section amounts to €113.5 million, with an expected completion date set for the end of 2028. Funding sources include a €64.5 million loan from KfW, a €21 million grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework, and contributions from EMS’s own budget.
The strategic implications of this contract extend beyond civil and electrical works; it signifies a voltage upgrade from the aging 220 kV infrastructure in western Serbia to a modern 400 kV system. This enhancement will increase transmission capacity, improve system reliability, and prepare the network for greater generation diversity and cross-border electricity flows. As Serbia integrates more renewable energy sources while maintaining grid stability, this upgrade is increasingly vital.
The Bajina Bašta project is also essential for enhancing system flexibility. EMS has indicated that this upgrade will create necessary technical conditions for integrating new production facilities, including the anticipated Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower plant. This facility is viewed as crucial for balancing Serbia’s medium-term power strategy. Consequently, the substation’s upgrade plays an expanded role beyond standard refurbishment; it will support dispatch flexibility, reserve capacity, and enhanced transmission capabilities toward the west.
Overall, this contract highlights how the Trans-Balkan Corridor, valued at approximately €221 million, is redefining Serbia’s role within the Southeast European electricity landscape. Previous sections have connected Pančevo 2 to the Romanian border and Kragujevac to Kraljevo. Future phases are expected to extend from Bajina Bašta toward Višegrad and Pljevlja, further enhancing cross-border transfer capabilities to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The overarching goal of this initiative is not merely to reinforce one substation but to establish Serbia as a significant high-capacity regional transmission hub linking eastern and western electricity markets.
