Suez and Vinci Construction Grands Projets, in collaboration with Serbia, have inked a memorandum of understanding to develop and manage Belgrade’s inaugural wastewater treatment facility. The project, situated in Veliko Selo, aims to safeguard the water quality and biodiversity of the Danube and Sava rivers, enhancing local residents' quality of life.

The consortium, comprising Suez and Vinci, will oversee the construction of the facility, projected to handle 423,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily—equivalent to the output of 1.5 million people. Initial estimates place the construction and commissioning costs at approximately EUR 700 million.

Operational duties will be shared between Belgrade Waterworks and Sewage (BVK) and Suez, ensuring efficient long-term management. Additionally, the plant is designed to harness renewable energy sources, potentially generating heat, biogas, and electricity through innovative technologies like photovoltaic power systems.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed that while France will collaborate on the project, the construction itself will be executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). This partnership forms part of Serbia's broader initiative, involving CRBC in numerous local wastewater treatment projects and the refurbishment or construction of six regional landfills, totaling EUR 3.2 billion in investments.

Originally slated to commence in 2023, the construction of the Veliko Selo wastewater treatment plant is set to be a cornerstone in Belgrade's environmental infrastructure, exemplifying cutting-edge wastewater treatment technologies and sustainable energy practices.