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

Terna Energy pumped storage wind power hybrid Amari Crete

Terna Energy to make pumped storage, wind power hybrid in Amari in Crete

25 April 2025 - Greek company Terna Energy, recently acquired by Masdar, made a step forward in its Amari hybrid power plant project in Crete

MORE 43 2 MW wind park northern Greece regular operation

MORE puts 43.2 MW wind park in northern Greece into regular operation

24 April 2025 - Motor Oil Renewable Energy (MORE) received the operating license for its 43.2 MW wind power plant near the border with North Macedonia

croatia zagreb solar public buildings tomasevic

Zagreb on track to reach almost 20 MW of solar on public buildings

24 April 2025 - In 2021, Croatia's capital presented the Sunny Roofs program for the installation of photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 50 MW

Constitutional Court Bulgaria exemptions renewables agricultural land

Constitutional Court of Bulgaria annuls exemptions for renewables on agricultural land

24 April 2025 - Investors in agrivoltaics and other renewables on agricultural land face higher expenses and longer procedures as exemptions were scrapped