Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske to invest EUR 770 million in green energy over three years

The priority of power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) is the construction of renewable energy power plants, as is envisaged in the energy sector development strategy, but also in the company’s 10-year development plan.

ERS General Manager Luka Petrović has said that the three-year business plan envisages investments estimated at EUR 770 million. ERS is currently developing five major projects – hydropower plant Dabar, hydropower project Gornja Drina, hydropower plants on the Bistrica river, wind farm Hrgud, and solar power plant Trebinje 1, Srna reported.

The company previously announced that it would build 1,000 MW of renewable energy power plants over next 10 years.

The signing of a contract for preparatory works for Gornja Drina is expected next month

According to Petrović, the emphasis is on the completion of HPP Dabar, with an installed capacity of 160 MW.

“The work should continue with the construction of a dam in Pošćenje as well as a downstream canal in Dabarsko polje, which is 5.5 kilometers long,” Petrović said.

The selection of contractors for the Hrgud wind farm is expected at the end of the year

For the Gornja Drina hydropower system, ERS has obtained a construction permit for preparatory works, and the signing of a contract for these works is expected next month.

As for HPPs on the Bistrica river, ERS has signed a EUR 102 million contract with Chinese company AVIK, he said.

Due to the complex procedures of KfW Bank, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, the selection of contractors for the Hrgud wind farm is expected at the end of the year, said Petrović.

He also said that a large number of co-investors are interested in the construction of the Trebinje 1 solar park.