Serbia has significant technical potential for renewable energy sources (RES), which is estimated at over 5.6 Mtoe/year. One of the most available renewable potential is small watercourses for Small Hydro Power Plants (SHPP) up to 10 MW. Even though there is a significant interest for investment in small hydro potential, the number of built SHPPs is small.

With the aim to meet EU standards, the Government of Serbia adopted the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and set national goal for RES Share of 27% by 2020.

In order to reach the set goal, it is necessary to develop the new Cadastre of SHPP that will contribute to the implementation of Serbian Energy Sector Development Strategy in the renewable sector by facilitating investments in SHPP to enable construction of around 180 MW of new installed capacity from SHPP until 2020. This capacity represents about 17% of overall planned capacity. In terms of energy generation, that means that SHPPs will produce about 6% of overall planned electricity from renewable sources in 2020.  

To support the current situation and expressed need for enhancing RES potential in Serbia, the EC endorsed the IPA Project “Cadastre for Small Hydro Power Plants” (SHPP). The project has started on 1st December 2016 and the implementation period is set to two years. The main goal is to provide help in Reforming energy policy of the Republic of Serbia by meeting EU Acquis through increased use of renewable energy, in such a manner as to stimulate economic development of the country (production of equipment and technologies for green energy).

In order to achieve that, expected project results are set out below:

  1. Updated Small Hydro Power Cadastre in electronic format (including web page, with real data from the field and new locations entries)
  2. Trained staff and improved awareness on the new Cadastre for Small Hydro Power Plants

Cadastre for SHPP will help clearly defining of existing and new locations with energy potentials and technology for the best utilization of each location in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection. The analysis will be in line with domestic and EU legislation in this area. Up to 20 locations for measurements of flow will be selected and provided with the real-time monitoring equipment in order to gather missing data necessary for assessment of future locations for construction of SHPP. To ensure the storing, processing and analysis of collected data, operational web application for Cadastre of SHPP will be developed.  Leaning from old Cadastre and available maps visualization of the contents of Cadastre of SHPP in the form of interactive maps will be provided, enabling thus the beneficiaries and other users, including public, for searching, filtering and exporting data.

The engagement and strengthening of capabilities of all key institutions and beneficiaries are crucial for the successful implementation of the project. This is necessary in order to provide the capacity building through the training and study tour for the staff from institutions involved in issuing of necessary permits, licenses and opinions, as well as for raising the awareness on the information available throughout the new Cadastre for SHPP. This will also contribute to enhancing the visibility of the project, increasing awareness among various target audiences thus ensuring the successful communication and dissemination of information about the project results that ought to be accomplished.