Zatriq wind farm in Kosovo* to be completed in July

Turkey-based Çalik Renewables and domestic company Eurokos are building a 72 MW wind power plant in Kosovo*. They expect to finish the facility in July.

Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo* Albin Kurti and Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli have visited the Zatriq wind park, which is under construction. Çalık Enerji, part of Turkey-based Çalık Holding, obtained EUR 112 million in financing almost a year ago. Its affiliate Çalik Renewables is conducting the 72 MW project with domestic company Eurokos.

It is the Turkish conglomerate’s first renewable energy investment outside of Turkey and the first wind project supported by Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV).

Four out of twelve wind turbines are already in place

Zatriq is proof that Kosovo*, through an appropriate legal and regulatory framework and continuous improvements in the business climate, offers security for foreign investments in renewable energy and beyond, Kurti said. He added that the team of 175 people involved in construction includes 130 domestic workers.

Eurokos has valued the project at EUR 124.4 million.

The investment entails 12 turbines. Four have been installed and another two are expected to be completed within two weeks, while the entire wind park is expected to be done in July, Rizvanolli revealed. The facility will strengthen the security of electricity supply, deliver cleaner energy and substitute imports of more than EUR 27 million per year, according to the minister.

Zatriq to generate 185 GWh per year

Zatriq would be able to generate 185 GWh per year. It is equivalent to the electricity needs of 45,000 households. The wind park will be connected to the grid via a 110 kV overhead line.

The wind potential at the site is one of the highest in Kosovo*. Zatriq or Zatrić is a village in the municipality of Rahovec-Orahovac. Kosovo* hosts just three wind power facilities: Selac, also known as Bajgora (104.1 MW), Kitka (32.4 MW) and Golesh (1.35 MW).

Çalık Enerji earlier said it established cooperation with wind turbine manufacturer GE Vernova for the project. The model features 79-meter blades.

The company owns two wind farms in Turkey, of 72 MW overall, and two projects in Poland for a combined 170 MW.

Çalik Holding and Turkish company Limak together control distribution system operator KEDS and power supplier KESCO.