Bishop Hrizostom of Zica opened a small hydroelectric power plant on the Studenica River on Friday, which will supply the Studenica Monastery and its surroundings with electricity.

The hydroelectric power plant, whose construction cost about EUR 800,000, was opened in the presence of hegumen of Studenica Monastery Archimandrite Tihon, Serbian president's advisor for energy issues Petar Skundric, as well as other

Serbian government representatives and leadership of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia.

The 90kW hydropower plant was built on the place of former hydroelectric plant on the Studenica River, and its construction was mainly financed by the donations of the Serbian government, Norwegian Embassy, and many business associations and private companies.

At the opening ceremony, Hegumen Tihon stated that the plant represents an extension of the donor activity of many good people, who contributed to the preservation of the Serbian holy shrines throughout the centuries.

He underscored that the Studenica Monastery was built 830 years ago by Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, and that its main attractions are preserved.

"The Studenica Monastery, as one of Serbia's most significant cultural monuments, together with the Miroslav's Gospel and Nikola Tesla's inventions, best represents Serbia in the world," Skundric stated.