Burduja: Portile de Fier III HPP could have a significant impact on the environment and navigability
The construction of a pumped storage hydropower plant at Portile de Fier III could have a significant impact on the environment and navigability, including on the Romanian side, which is why such a project must be widely debated in joint working groups, according to a statement from the Ministry Energy.
“Cooperation with our Serbian friends and neighbors is very important at all levels, especially in the field of energy. For over 50 years we have been successfully jointly operating particularly complex hydropower and navigation facilities, in particular the Iron Gates I and II. We are also working to improve electricity and natural gas interconnections.Regarding Serbian intentions to build a new pumped storage plant, this should be discussed extensively in the joint working groups.Such a project could have a significant impact on environment and navigability, including on the Romanian side. Therefore, at the last meeting with Mrs. Dubravka Djedovic, the Minister of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, we asked her to intensify the dialogue without Romania’s agreement,” stated the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, according to Agerpres.
Since the beginning of 2024, a bilateral meeting took place in Athens between the Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, and the Serbian Minister of Mines and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, as well as an exchange of letters, an opportunity to highlight the constructive spirit in which this cooperation takes place.
On these occasions, the Serbian minister appreciated the information provided by the Romanian side related to the Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate Change of Romania, while the Romanian dignitary expressed his conviction that the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate Change of the Republic of Serbia will be a successful one, which will boost the European integration of Serbia and the sustainable energy development of the neighboring country.
The discussion in Athens and the exchange of official letters also addressed aspects related to a good joint exploitation of the hydropower potential of the Danube, through the Iron Gates I and Iron Gates II Systems.
“The Serbian side informed the Romanian parties of the intention to build a pumped storage hydropower plant at Iron Gates III. The Romanian side replied that it is essential that Serbia proactively communicates with the Romanian side about this project. The project can be positive and Romania would could have the availability to join with an equal participation,” the press release states.
On the other hand, however, the consequences on the environment and navigability must be carefully taken into account, and the Serbian side cannot carry out this project other than in close cooperation with Romania, states the quoted source.
The representatives of the Ministry of Energy point out that, currently, there is no joint Romanian-Serbian working group regarding the Iron Gates III project.