As climate change and rising flood risk reshape infrastructure priorities across Europe, countries such as Serbia face urgent investment decisions. Srbijavode Limited Liability Company was seeking funding for the proposed Pambukovica Dam, a flood alleviation scheme on the Ub River in the Kolubara Basin.

Arup was appointed to demonstrate the scheme’s viability, bankability and resilience, supporting financing for a project designed to impound 8.15 million cubic metres of water and strengthen regional flood protection. Working with Srbijavode, Arup established the environmental, technical, operational and governance foundations needed to consider the dam suitable for investment. This work gave the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) the confidence that the project met financing requirements, helping to unlock funding.

By addressing climate risk before construction, the project strengthens flood resilience and long term water security in the Kolubara Basin. Testing the dam under future hydrological conditions improves protection for downstream communities and ecosystems, while establishing an approach that can be replicated for climate resilient dam planning across the region.

Testing resilience under future climate scenarios

To understand how the dam would perform over its full lifetime, Arup tested its behaviour under a range of climate scenarios. Integrated hydrological, hydraulic and geotechnical analysis, combined with dam safety and emergency planning, identified the measures required to manage flood risk safely as conditions change. A targeted design review then challenged key assumptions in the proposed solution, improving reliability and long term operability.

In parallel, Arup supported Srbijavode by conducting a procurement readiness assessment, equipping them to make informed financing decisions and demonstrate compliance with EBRD requirements.

Building confidence in a viable, climate resilient dam

To ensure the project was bankable, Arup and Srbijavode defined the operational and technical requirements of the dam and aligned them with international performance and financing standards, providing a clear basis for decision making.

Our experts shaped the project’s environmental and social approach, carrying out Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, biodiversity baseline studies, habitat offset planning and structured stakeholder engagement. This work helped build confidence that environmental and ESG considerations were being addressed in a way that supported approval and long term delivery.

Climate resilience was addressed by testing how the dam would function as a flood alleviation system under future hydrological conditions. Using a new Digital Terrain Model and updated hydrological analysis, Arup examined flood behaviour across a wide range of scenarios, informing critical decisions on flood routing and spillway capacity, and improving understanding of downstream safety and emergency preparedness needs.

A targeted design review then assessed the proposed solution across geotechnical risk, embankment stability, sediment management, instrumentation and dam safety, strengthening long term reliability and operability.

Establishing governance and delivery readiness for international financing

Arup defined appropriate governance, procurement and organisational capability to support the delivery and financing of a complex, internationally financed dam project. The team carried out a procurement readiness assessment and provided advisory support across prequalification, aligned with EBRD requirements and international best practice.

Overall, the work helped the client secure EBRD financing for the Pambukovica Dam, creating a clear pathway for delivery of climate resilient flood infrastructure in the Kolubara Basin.