ANDRITZ Supplies Ten Turbines for Vlasinske Hydropower Plant Modernization Serbia

International technology group ANDRITZ has distinguished itself in the Serbian energy market by securing a contract with Energotehnika Južna Bačka to modernize the Vlasinske hydropower cascade. While competitors often focus on single-technology solutions, ANDRITZ’s selection for this project hinges on its ability to simultaneously engineer and integrate two distinct turbine types — Francis and Pelton — within a single complex river system. This lower double-digit million-euro order, recorded in the first quarter of 2026, reinforces the company's specialized role in high-complexity brownfield rehabilitations.

Strategic Capacity Expansion and Grid Reliability
The Vlasinske cascade on the Vrla River has served as a foundational element of Serbia’s power grid since 1955. The modernization project addresses the growing need for increased renewable output by raising the current 130-megawatt capacity by an additional eight megawatts. By upgrading the existing infrastructure, the project enhances the long-term efficiency and safety of the four-plant system, directly supporting Serbia’s national renewable energy targets through improved asset performance rather than new land-use footprints.

Technical Scope of the Dual-Turbine Rehabilitation
The technical execution involves the design, manufacture, and commissioning of ten new units: four Pelton turbines and six Francis units. This diversified technological approach is necessary to optimize the varying hydraulic heads and flow conditions across the four-plant cascade. To ensure energy security during the transition, ANDRITZ will supervise the installation and commissioning phases using a phased approach, allowing electricity production to remain active throughout the duration of the works.

International Financing and Infrastructure Support
The modernization is underpinned by a robust financial structure involving the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It operates in conjunction with the state-owned utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) and its broader program for cascade renovation. This collaboration between international technology providers, local contractors, and global financial institutions ensures that the Vlasinske plants meet modern standards for reliable, large-scale renewable electricity generation in southern Serbia.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

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