Bechtel is eyeing opportunities in Serbia in the fields of wind power, solar power, and green hydrogen.
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlovic met with representatives from the company to discuss a range of cooperation possibilities.
Stu ones, the President for Regions and Corporate Affairs said the company is interested in working in Serbia and developing green projects.
“We believe Serbia can and should be the first country in the region that would invest in new technologies in renewable energy, especially in wind parks, solar energy, but also green hydrogen. We are ready to work together, to talk about development strategy and to apply new technologies in your country,” he stated. The meeting was attended by United States Ambassador Anthony Godfrey.
Mihajlovic said they have created new laws to facilitate a “favorable business environment and open market” for investment.
“This is an important year for the energy sector. We are preparing a national energy and climate plan, we will work on decarbonization, we want to increase output from renewable energy sources and to improve energy efficiency. Your knowledge and experience and the implementation of new technologies are welcome,” she added.
The US company has been involved in several projects in Albania. Bechtel International INC is set to design and construct the Skavica hydropower plant. The Albanian government drafted a new law determining a “special procedure” for negotiating and executing the contract with the company, in violation of the EU Stabilization and Accession Agreement.
In March 2020, the Albin Kurti government in Kosovo cancelled a contract extension with Bechtel-Enka for more work on the construction of a highway, totalling EUR 49.6 million.
The 60-km-long highway connects Kosovo’s capital Pristina with North Macedonia’s Skopje.
Bechtel-Enka had asked for €49.6 million to connect two towns to the highway and build an overpass.
The government argued that the extension of the contract last year was done “without tender, competition or bids.” He thanked the company for the work done with the two highways they have built and invited them to apply for more government projects in the future.
