The state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda BiH (EPBiH) launched a tender for substation and cabling for Podveležje wind farm near Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

The call is open for offers of engineering, procurement, supply and construction of an 110/30 kV substation, the 30kV power cabling, fibre optical cabling and earthing network between wind energy converters (WEC) and substation for Podveležje wind power plant. Fibre optical cabling, relevant civil works, electrical works and substation control system are also the subject of the LOT2 call for offers, as stated in the tender documentation published on the Germany Trade & Invest website.

Podveležje wind power plant has the capacity 48 MW and its projected annual production is 120 GWh. According to the officials, this is the biggest investment in BiH after the war, even bigger than the construction of hydropower plant Vranduk.

Electricity generation is expected to start in 2018 and so far the offers for a contract for engineering, procurement, supply and construction of the 15 WECs are collected and they are currently being evaluated. The execution and delivery of services are divided into three lots. The LOT3 envisages the access and service roads construction and the best bidder for the works is already selected.

The deadline for submission of bids for LOT2 is March 16, 2017.

The wind park will consist of 15 wind turbines and the project is listed as one of the strategic objectives of EPBiH due to its great importance when it comes to environmental protection and energy efficiency. The concession is granted for a 30-year period. The energy permit is also granted.

German Development Bank KfW has approved EUR 65 million loan to finance the construction of Podveležje wind farm. The overall investment is worth EUR 83.2 million and EPBiH invests EUR 17,8 million of own funds. The loan maturity period is 15 years, including a 3-year grace period. Besides the loan, KfW provides EPBiH with EUR 0,3 million grant.