EPBiH signs concession for two solar PV plants

Power utility Elektroprivreda BiH (EPBiH) has signed a concession agreement for the construction of two solar power plants with a total capacity of up to 50 megawatts (MW).

The photovoltaic units will be built at the mine tailings dump site of the Gračanica coal mine in the municipality of Bugojno. State-owned EPBiH said it would invest EUR 30 million in the two facilities.

The contract was signed through a public call, for a period of 30 years from the day the power plants are put into operation. The construction period is estimated at 30 months.

EPBiH plans to build six solar power plants by 2030

During the concession period, EPBiH will pay the Central Bosnia Canton 1.5% of its annual gross revenue from the generated electricity as a concession fee. It will be calculated based on the current purchase prices for electricity produced in photovoltaic plants.

EPBiH announced that as part of its strategic determination to significantly increase the share of electricity from renewables until 2030, it plans to build PV facilities in the Breza, Kakanj and Kreka coal mines, on the ash and slag dump of the Tuzla coal power plant, and on the Podveležje plateau, where it has already installed its first wind farm.

The six solar power plants will have a total capacity of about 210 MW

The results of the solar radiation measurements at 10 locations showed investments in all six planned solar power plants would be profitable, and that their estimated installed power would be 210 MW in total, the company said.

The concession contract was signed by CEO Admir Andelija, Senad Salkić, Executive Director for Capital Investments of EPBiH, and Nisvet Hrnjić, Minister of Economy of the Central Bosnia Canton.

Of note, the Government of the Federation of BiH has decided to halt the utility’s the Tuzla 7 coal plant project.