The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved funding for the construction of a solar-thermal power plant in Novi Sad. The project, estimated at 105 million euros, will be financed with a loan provided by the EBRD in tranches, with co-financing expected from the European Union’s Investment Framework for the Western Balkans (WBIF).
The solar-thermal plant will have 38,600 square meters of collector fields, seasonal heat storage, a heat pump and an electric boiler. It aims to provide efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly heat energy to households, public institutions and companies in Novi Sad, supporting Serbia’s decarbonization efforts in the district heating sector.
The project also includes the construction of a Seasonal Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) system, which will use purified water from the Danube. Safety measures have been incorporated to address risks associated with groundwater penetration during the excavation of the PTES underground part. The land for the project, approximately 15 hectares in total, is leased from the state, and no expropriation will be needed.
The EBRD’s financing is accompanied by an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) that will ensure compliance with national and international standards, with JKP Novi Sadska Toplana being the primary beneficiary. The project will also require various permits, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, energy and construction permits, and a use permit.
The project will be managed by the Project Implementation Unit, supported by the City Administration for Environmental Protection.
