Public power utility Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH) is planning to bring the Podveležje wind farm, small hydropower plants (SHPPs) on the Neretvica river, and the Vranduk hydropower plant (HPP) phase I online in the next three years, as well as to start the construction of Unit 7 of the Tuzla thermal power plant (TPP), HPP Janjići, HPP Una Kostela-Aneks, HPP Kakanj and the Vlašić wind farm, according to EPBiH’s Business Plan for the 2019-2021 period, adopted by the company’s Shareholder Assembly.

Total investments in the next 3 years are projected at BAM 1.8 billion (EUR 900 million), of which BAM 1 billion (EUR 500 million) is or will be secured through loans.

The investments reflect the investment policy and portfolio, and the development of various production capacities. Accordingly, TPPs account for 76%, HPPs for 11%, and SHPPs and wind farms for 13% of total investments, according to the Business Plan.

The start of the Podveleženje wind farm’s production was planned for September 2019, with an annual output of 40 GWh in 2019 and 120 GWh in 2020, and in 2021. HPP Vranduk is expected to get on stream in September 2021, with a total production of 24 GWh in that year.

The start of the construction of the Tuzla 7 unit, the Podveležje wind farm and the SHPPs on Neretvica is planned for 2019, HPP Janjići, and HPP Una Kostela-Aneks by the end of 2020, and HPP Kakanj and the Vlašić wind farm by the end of 2021.

In the next 3 years, EPBiH plans to develop other projects as well, including power plants on the rivers Neretva, Bosna, Vrbas, Bioštica, Krivaja, Stavnja, and Tribija, as well as to conduct research for new wind farms.

New TPPs necessary to replace old units, secure survival of mines

The long-term strategic and priority objective of EPBiH is the construction of the Tuzla 7 unit, and after that unit 8 of TPP Kakanj.

According to the Business Plan, these coal-fired units will serve to replace the existing ones that must be phased-out due to the expiry of their lifespans and the limitations imposed by EU regulations for the operation of TPPs after 2018.

In addition, without these capacities, the coal mines would be left without deliveries for the power plants, which would reduce coal production to a level that would mean shutdown for certain mines, the Business Plan reads.

For the Tuzla 7 and Kakanj 8 units, documentation for investment and environmental protection has been completed, and the necessary approvals and permits have been obtained.