Serbia’s electricity transmission network needs to be upgraded and expanded. The existing overhead lines (OHL) and substation equipment at Bajina Basta, and OHLs to Valjevo, Obrenovac and Belgrade 3, are in extremely poor condition after 50 years of continuous service.
This WBIF technical assistance grant has funded the preparation of a pre-feasibility study to identify options and potential network topologies for the upgrade. This resulted in a plan to upgrade the 220 kV circuits to 400 kV between Obrenovac and Bajina Basta, with a potential loop into Valjevo. Further on, a full feasibility study was undertaken for this scenario, including site investigations, corridor definition, financial and economic assessments, and a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment.
The major benefit of the proposed double circuit 400 kV transmission line is an increase in the network capacity to facilitate the growth load, new generation connections and regional exchanges of electricity in the Western Balkans. It will further improve the reliability of the regional network and the overall security of the electricity supply.
