The Serbian Ministry of Energy has begun preliminary negotiations with Chinese companies on the construction of the Djerdap 3 hydroelectric power plant, BETA learned from the ministry.

Ministry State Secretary Mrakic previously stated at a gathering on investments into Serbia's electric energy system that it is a pumpedstorage hydroelectric plant with a power of about 2,000 megawatts.

"We have begun the negotiations, and we expect a revision of the feasibility study for the construction of the plant to be performed soon," he said, reminding that the study was drafted around 10 years ago.

Mrakic also announced that a strategic partner for the construction of Djerdap 3 could be selected at the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.