French renewables developer IEL OIE Balkan Renewable Energy has announced the start of construction of the 85 MW Bašaid wind farm near Kikinda and a geothermal plant for next year.

Nataša Lazarević, director at IEL OIE Balkan Renewable Energy, told eKapija the joint investment with France’s Akuo Energy Central Europe in the Bašaid wind farm is estimated at EUR 120 million.

The procedure for the environmental impact assessment study is underway

Joint company Basaid wind doo, registered in Belgrade, will be in charge of the construction, according to eKapija.

A request for determining the scope and content of the study on the environmental impact assessment of the wind farm project is currently undergoing a public consultation procedure at the Vojvodina Provincial Secretariat for Energy, Construction and Transport.

The company expects to collect all the necessary approvals and permits by next year and start implementation, Lazarević said.

She added IEL OIE Balkan Renewable Energy has been working on a geothermal energy project for two years and that French energy giant EDF was involved.

Feasibility studies were produced for the construction of geothermal heating plants for Vranje, Subotica, Kikinda and Ruma

The research of geothermal potential is being conducted in cooperation with the said provincial secretariat and in accordance with plans laid out by a working group which was established in October of last year.

Feasibility studies have been prepared for the construction of geothermal heating plants in Vranje, Subotica, Kikinda and Ruma. The energy will be used by the district heating system and the companies.

The company will select one of the locations as a pilot project, and the construction of the first geothermal plant is expected to start next year, Lazarević added.