Renewables

Consultant sought for utility-scale solar power plant in BiH

Consultant sought utility scale solar power plant BiH

Photo: Podveležje wind farm (EPBiH)

Published

October 28, 2021

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

October 28, 2021

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

A utility-scale photovoltaic system is planned to be built near Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the same area as the existing Podveležje wind power plant. EPBiH is developing the project with Germany’s KfW Development Bank.

Germany’s KfW Development Bank said it intends to provide financing for the planned 36 MW photovoltaic power plant Podveležje near Mostar in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The facility will provide an estimated 8 MW for the regional distribution network and an estimated 28 MW (or up to 30 MW) for the national transmission grid, it added.

The photovoltaic unit will be located in the immediate vicinity of the recently commissioned 48 MW wind farm Podveležje, located at an altitude of 700 to 800 meters. Both projects are run by state-owned Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH). The utility earlier revealed plans for a solar park at the Podveležje plateau with a capacity of 30 MW.

KfW to choose consulting firm

KfW issued a public call for consulting services for a review of existing studies and surveys. The bank said the selected firm would be tasked with preparing a technical feasibility study including a review of the preliminary design of the plant, and conducting a cost-benefit analysis.

The photovoltaic plant should provide 8 MW for the regional distribution network and an estimated 28 MW for the national transmission grid

The consultant needs to supplement the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study in accordance with KfW’s guidelines. It will also be responsible for the communication and visibility activities, the documentation reads.

KfW provided an EUR 65 million loan for the construction of wind farm Podveležje, which cost more than EUR 74 million. It also participated with a EUR 400,000 grant. It was EPBiH’s first power plant in almost four decades and the third wind power plant in the country.

EPBiH to use infrastructure built for Podveležje wind farm

The cost of building the solar power plant was initially estimated at EUR 15 million to EUR 25 million. A lot of it clings on the availability of access roads and other infrastructure developed for the wind farm. It is one of the first utility-scale photovoltaic projects in the country and none have come online yet.

Wind and solar power complement one another. Generally, wind is stronger in the winter than in the summer, when there is more sun for photovoltaic panels. There is more wind at night, when solar panels are idle.

Integrated management of a power plant with two or more sources enables the operator to provide a steadier supply to its clients. Such facilities, called hybrid power plants, bring savings in grid and storage costs.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

IHA Turkey 2024 hydropower additions highest Europe again

IHA: Turkey’s 2024 hydropower additions highest in Europe again

03 July 2025 - The world's hydroelectric capacity increased 1.7% last year to 1.44 TW, the International Hydropower Association said in its annual report

boksic solar power plant battery

Project underway for 99 MW Bokšić solar plant with battery storage

03 July 2025 - The Bokšić solar power plant project includes a battery energy storage system, BESS, with a capacity of 70.8 MWh.

YEO Defic Globe projects 219 MW Romania rebranding

YEO’s Defic Globe buys projects for 219 MW in Romania amid rebranding

03 July 2025 - Defic Globe, controlled by YEO, acquired 15 project firms developing plans for power plants and battery storage in Romania

HELLENiQ Energy buys ABO Energy Hellas 1 5 GW renewables

HELLENiQ Energy buys ABO Energy Hellas, adding 1.5 GW in renewables projects

02 July 2025 - Amid a consolidation in the renewables sector in Greece, HELLENiQ Energysaid it completed the acquisition of ABO Energy Hellas