Which transformer station & grid connection engineering tasks can be outsourced to Serbia with high confidence

As Europe’s energy sector scales up renewables and storage, the demand for high-quality electrical engineering—especially around transformer stations and grid connections—is surging. But local engineering capacity is stretched thin, project timelines are tightening, and costs are rising.

That’s why many developers, EPCs, and system integrators are increasingly turning to Serbia.

With a strong tradition in power systems engineering, competitive cost structures, and growing expertise in battery storage integration, Serbia is emerging as a trusted partner—particularly for outsourced engineering design work.

But when it comes to transformer stations and grid connections, what specifically can be outsourced with high confidence?

1. Transformer station design (Up to 400 kV)
   Serbian firms have decades of experience designing MV and HV substations, including:

• Primary and secondary substations (e.g. 35/10 kV, 110/10 kV, 400/110 kV)
• Air-insulated (AIS) and gas-insulated (GIS) stations
• Step-up/step-down transformer configurations for renewables or industrial plants
• Containerized or compact transformer stations for urban or hybrid projects

Deliverables typically include:

• General layout and equipment siting
• Single-line diagrams (SLD)
• Cable routing and trenching
• Earthing and lightning protection
• Control room layout
• Equipment specifications and BOQs

Why confidence is high:
Firms have designed and delivered transformer stations up to 400 kV. Documentation meets IEC and EN standards, and companies are familiar with EU DSO/TSO expectations.

2. Protection & relay system design
   Outsourced teams in Serbia can deliver:

• Protection schemes and coordination studies
• Relay setting calculations
• Selectivity and backup protection layouts
• Relay cabinet schematics and wiring diagrams
• Integration with SCADA and RTUs

Compatible systems include:
Siemens SIPROTEC, ABB Relion, SEL, Schneider, and other Tier 1 manufacturers.

Why confidence is high:
Many Serbian engineers have industrial and utility project experience, and are familiar with protection standards such as IEC 60255, IEEE C37, and national grid codes (including German and Italian TSO standards, among others).

3. Grid connection studies & compliance documentation
   Serbian engineering consultants routinely perform:

• Load flow analysis
• Short circuit studies
• Harmonic distortion analysis
• Reactive power compensation strategies
• Dynamic stability and fault ride-through simulations
• Grid impact studies required for permit submission

Software used:
ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, NEPLAN, PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink.

Why confidence is high:
As of 2023, Serbia mandates detailed technical documentation and grid studies for local projects—so local firms are up-to-date on methodologies and TSO expectations. Some firms have delivered grid studies for EU-based projects via partnerships or subcontracting.

SCADA, automation and remote monitoring integration
Outsourced SCADA and automation services include:

• SCADA architecture planning
• Communication protocol setup (Modbus, IEC 60870-5-104, OPC UA, DNP3)
• PLC and HMI programming
• Alarm and event management systems
• RTU configuration for remote substations

Why confidence is high:
Serbia has strong talent in embedded systems and industrial automation. Engineers often have dual backgrounds in software and electrical engineering, and use international tools and hardware (Siemens, Schneider, ABB, etc.).

5. Earthing, lightning protection & safety systems

This includes:

• Earthing system calculations (touch and step potential)
• Ground resistivity testing and modeling
• Lightning protection system design
• Fire safety layouts
• Compliance with IEC 62305, EN 50522

Why confidence is high:
Standard engineering in Serbia includes these as core design elements. Local test labs can validate earthing design. For high-risk or seismic zones, additional local surveys may be needed—but design work is reliable.

6. Civil and structural engineering for substations
   Outsourced design can include:

• Foundation and trenching design
• Equipment pedestal design
• Transformer pit and oil retention systems
• Structural steel supports
• Enclosure and control building layout

Why confidence is medium-to-high:
While structural calculations and CAD deliverables meet international norms, you’ll want to verify that your partner understands site-specific loads, seismic codes, and local building regulations for the target EU country. Some developers pair this with a local architect or engineer of record.

Tasks that need caution or local support
While Serbian partners offer solid engineering for design and documentation, some areas require local involvement or final sign-off:

🛑 Regulatory submission & final approval
While Serbian engineers can prepare technical documents to EU standards, actual submission to national grid operators (e.g., ENEL, EirGrid, Elia) typically requires a local license or signature.

🛑 On-site commissioning & field testing
Factory acceptance tests (FAT) can be supported, but on-site commissioning, testing under real load, and final functional testing typically require presence in the target country.

🛑 Procurement & manufacturer interface
Serbian engineers can prepare specs, but for direct procurement and equipment compatibility (especially with country-specific suppliers), you may need local procurement teams or vendors.

Outsourcing transformer station and grid connection design to Serbia isn’t a shortcut — it’s a smart division of engineering labor.

For tasks like schematic design, system modeling, relay logic, SCADA integration, and grid compliance, Serbia offers world-class talent at competitive costs, backed by a legacy of industrial-grade engineering.

Pairing that with local oversight and final compliance sign-off gives EU developers the best of both worlds: agility and affordability, without sacrificing quality or safety.