The 3rd Annual International Investment Summit and Exhibition “Hydropower Balkans 2019”, held November 7-8 in Belgrade, brought together participants from 20 countries and featured presentations of HPP greenfield and brownfield projects in Greece, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republike, Serbia, Slovenia and Srpska.
Participating companies included JS Elektroprivreda Srbije, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Albanian Power Corporation (KESH), Bulgarian Energy Holding, Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, European Investment Bank, Hidroelektrarne na Spodnji Savi, International Finance Corporation, Power Plants of North Macedonia, Montenegrin Electric Enterprise (EPCG), Hydro Power Plants at Vrbas, PPC S.A., PPC Albania, Holding Slovenske elektrarne, Government of Republic of North Macedonia, EcoEnergy Consulting and Elektroprivreda BiH.
Plenary session participants concluded that the decarbonization process requires a significant increase of investments in clean generation and storage as well as additional grid and infrastructure investments.
Political risks, regulatory complexities, social and environmental issues are the most significant challenges for developers and investors, participants agreed.
A round table dedicated to engineering aspects of HPP construction and renovation concluded the first day of the summit. International engineering companies and equipment suppliers discussed all project details directly with CTOs.
Decision makers at major financial institutions such as International Finance Corporation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as the European Investment Bank, informed participants on investment opportunities in the regional hydropower industry, challenges for developers and investors and risk mitigation.
At this year’s event, special attention was paid to small-scale hydropower potential in the Balkans.
Two round tables devoted to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded the Summit.
In addition, a specialized exhibition on industry technology took place as part of the summit. Market leaders presented their technical, technological and service solutions for the region. They included ABB Italy, Sevinc Machine Industry and Trade, Emerson Process Management, Stucky, Tor Services, Zollern, Rakurs Engineering, Polyar Steel Construction, AUMA, Alpiq AG, Tractebel Engineering, AF Сonsult, and Landsvirkjun Power.
More than 150 business meetings were held during the summit.
The event was organised by Vostock Capital, officially supported by JS Elektroprivreda Srbije and sponsored by ABB Italy, Sevinc Machine Industry and Trade, as well as Emerson Process Management.