Government of Japan approves beginning of preparatory study for potential approval of JICA loan for construction of RHPP Bistrica – Final decision in second half of 2025

At the meeting of the representatives of the Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia with the team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by Kei Toyama, the director general of the Europe Department, it was concluded that the Government of Japan had approved the commencement of the preparatory study for the potential approval of the JICA loan for the construction of the RHPP Bistrica, whereas the final decision on the financing of the project is expected to be adopted in the second half of next year.

The assistant of the minister of mining and energy for international cooperation and European integration, Jovana Joksimovic, pointed to the intensive cooperation with the JICA in the energy transition process, announced the Government of Serbia.

She said that the construction of the RHPP Bistrica was one of the most important projects within the “Leap into the Future – Serbia 2027” project and that it was the first reversible hydro power plant that Serbia would build after more than four decades.

Joksimovic said that she was satisfied that the Japanese partners intended to support that project, especially because of their big experience and international expertise.

According to her, the RHPP Bistrica, with a capacity of 656 MW, is important for the balancing and storage of energy, as well as for the integration of more capacities from renewable sources, which is significant in the process of energy transition.

The assistant minister expressed her gratitude to the JICA for the successful cooperation on the project of flue gas desulfuring at TENT A and reminded that, in 2024, the flue desulfuring gas facility had been put into operation at that thermal power plant, being the biggest ecological project in this part of Europe.

– Thanks to this facility, we are reducing sulfur-dioxide emissions as many as 30 times and the negative environmental impact of the thermal power plant’s operations – said Joksimovic.

Toyama pointed out that the construction of the RHPP Bistrica was a very important project for Serbia and that the JICA would try to provide the necessary support so that the project would be realized successfully.

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Japan International Cooperation Agency - JICA Tokyo

Ministry of Mining and Energy

Japan International Cooperation Agency

JICA

Kei Toyama

Jovana Joksimović

RHPP Bistrica