E-Grus may seek coinvestor for its Golič wind farm project in Slovenia

Savaprojekt’s subsidiary E-Grus will probably look for a coinvestor when it obtains necessary permits for the Golič wind farm project of 80 MW or 90 MW, Director Aleš Janžovnik revealed. The company hopes to commission the facility in 2027.

E-Grus has started a series of presentations of its wind farm project for the local population in the Kras region, also known as Karst. The investment development and advisory firm is planning to install a facility of 80 MW or 90 MW on Golič mountain in Slovenia’s southwest, on the border with Croatia.

There are two versions in play: to build 80 wind turbines with a height of 50 meters and a capacity of 1 MW each or to have 30 units of 3 MW apiece, in which case they would be 85 meters high. The company’s Director Aleš Janžovnik told Balkan Green Energy News “there is a very high probability” that it would look for a coinvestor when the project reaches a mature stage.

Savaprojekt is responsible for design, documentation

E-Grus is a subsidiary of Savaprojekt, which is working on the spatial planning documentation for the current phase of development. It has initiated the project and produced the conceptual design. The company will remain in charge of the paperwork for the Golič wind farm, Janžovnik said.

The 2027 commissioning deadline is likely to be extended

It is hard to predict all possible delays with regard to spatial planning and permits, according to the director. He pointed out the current commissioning deadline is 2027 but that it is “likely to be extended.”

The government’s decision on the inclusion of Golič in the national spatial plan is expected in October, Janžovnik said and explained that after that his firm would then issue a study on the concept versions together with an environmental impact report for public consultation.

Most complaints are about possible noise

Some of the locals have expressed concern about noise and its impact on human health. According to Janžovnik, E-Grus will conduct all the necessary studies and implement mitigation measures. On the other hand, he stressed the firm already took European Union standards into account when it comes to the recommended distance of the windmills from homes.

The final proposal should be adopted by the end of 2024, followed by the preparation of project documentation and the search for a contractor, Janžovnik stressed. According to the current plan, construction is expected to begin in early 2026. E-Grus is interested in cooperation on other renewable projects, he revealed.

The Municipality of Koper would receive three percent of generated revenue as compensation for the use of space. Slovenia only has a few small wind turbines as existing projects have been dragging on for many years amid environmental and administrative hurdles.