ERS sets up wind farm subsidiary to develop Donja Trusina project

The Government of the Republic of Srpska in BiH decided to establish a wind farm project firm under state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS). Its first and main task is to prepare the Donja Trusina project.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska, one of the two entities making up Bosnia and Herzegovina, published a decision at its last session to form a company called Vjetroparkovi Elektroprivrede Republike Srpske. It will be registered in the Berkovići municipality in eastern Herzegovina, where state-owned coal and electricity producer Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, ERS, plans to build its Donja Trusina wind power plant.

The first and main task of ERS’s new subsidiary will be to prepare the project, though its name Vjetroparkovi (wind parks) indicates it could be put in charge of other such endeavors as well. The entity government acted in the capacity of the utility’s shareholder assembly.

In its development plan for the period from 2019 to 2029, in line with the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Srpska until 2035, ERS envisages the construction of wind power plants Hrgud, Radimlja and Donja Trusina. The last one is planned to be completed by 2024.

ERS is the only founder and shareholder of the new enterprise registered in Berkovići, where the wind park is supposed to be installed

In order to implement the projects, it is necessary to produce and procure studies, file for concessions, determine locations and regulate property issues, the cabinet argued in the explanation of its decision.

ERS is the only founder and shareholder of Vjetroparkovi Elektroprivrede Republike Srpske. The initial capital is only EUR 76,000. The village of Berkovići is situated southeast of Mostar.

The entity government also determined the proposed changes to the Law on Energy and agreed with the initiative of oil refinery operator Rafinerija nafte Brod to build a gas-fired combined heat and power plant

The government said it also determined the proposed changes to the Law on Energy, which is necessary to align it with the legislation that was passed since its adoption in 2009 as well as with the Energy Development Strategy. It completed the draft in April.

At the same session, the cabinet approved the agreement on cooperation with Rafinerija nafte Brod, the operator of the only oil refinery in BiH. The facility ceased operations three years ago. The company intends to build a gas-fired cogeneration plant that would produce electricity, steam and heat.

The planned capacity is 100 MW, and the next step is to produce a feasibility study. The investment is estimated at EUR 150 million.