Drava's Maribor power plants have completed a multi-year cycle of bridge renewal, with new investments already planned

Dravske elektrarne Maribor have completed a multi-year cycle of bridge renovations on their hydroelectric infrastructure along the Drava River, with new investments already planned. The final project involved the renovation of the Markovci, Nova Vas bridge, which was officially put into service after a technical inspection in July 2026. This marks the completion of all bridge renovations on the intake and discharge channels of the Zlatoličje and Formin hydroelectric plants, which are managed by the company. The program of renovations represented a significant part of Dravske elektrarne Maribor's investment strategy aimed at maintaining and modernizing infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable operation of the chain of hydroelectric plants on the Drava River. In total, there are 23 bridges on the intake and discharge channels of the Zlatoličje and Formin hydroelectric plants, with 15 or 16 of them being maintained by Dravske elektrarne Maribor, including the bridge over the Markovci spillway area. Comprehensive renovations were carried out on each bridge within the program. These included the removal of deteriorated road structures, guardrails, curbs, and walkways, the restoration of reinforced concrete structures, the implementation of new waterproofing, foundations, drainage systems, and utility lines, the installation of new steel guardrails, and the creation of new asphalt road surfaces. Submerged inspections and repairs of support structures and cleaning of retaining walls were also conducted. This concludes a major cycle of systematic infrastructure renewal. The renovation program covered the repair of bridges on the intake and discharge channels of the Zlatoličje and Formin hydroelectric plants, which are under the management of Dravske elektrarne Maribor. Renovations proceeded gradually, according to priorities ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the infrastructure. On the intake channel of the Zlatoličje hydroelectric plant, the following bridges were renovated: Most Miklavž (renovated 2012/2013) Most Dravski dvor (renovated 2024/2025) Most Trniče (renovated 2021/2022) Most Prepolje (renovated 2019/2020) On the discharge channel of the Zlatoličje hydroelectric plant: Most Slovenja vas (renovated during expansion of the discharge channel, 2010/2011) Most Hajdoše (renovated during expansion of the discharge channel, 2011/2012) On the intake channel of the Formin hydroelectric plant: Most Markovci, Nova Vas (renovated 2025/2026) Most Bukovci (renovated 2011/2012) Most Zagojiči (renovated 2016/2017) Most Gorišnica (renovated 2013/2014) Most over the Markovci spillway (a new bridge built between 2017/2019 for the reconstruction of the Markovci spillway area) On the discharge channel of the Formin hydroelectric plant: Most Formin (renovated 2020/2021) Most Cvetkovci (renovated 2023/2024) Most Velika Nedelja (renovated 2022/2023) The renovation program also involved collaboration with local communities. Municipalities in areas where the bridges are located co-financed the upper parts of the bridges, which included the renovation of guardrails, walkways, and asphalt road surfaces. As of today, all bridges managed by Dravske elektrarne Maribor on the intake and discharge channels have been renovated. With the completion of the bridge renovation program, however, the investment cycle of Dravske elektrarne Maribor in the lower Drava region does not end. The company continues with significant investments in the renewal of hydroelectric infrastructure through the renovation project of the Formin hydroelectric plant and the Markovci spillway. The Formin hydroelectric plant is one of the key plants in the chain of hydroelectric plants on the Drava River, currently producing approximately 548 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply around 155,000 households. Between 2027 and 2029, the plant will undergo a complete overhaul. The plant, which has been operating since 1978, is the only one in the Slovenian section of the Drava hydroelectric chain that has not yet undergone a comprehensive renovation. Completion of the renovation of the Markovci spillway is scheduled for April 2027. The project includes the renovation of all six spillway sections, including the repair of concrete structures, the replacement or upgrade of hydraulic equipment, the implementation of anti-corrosion protection for gates, and the renovation of water control systems.