Island of Vis to host solar power plant of 2 MW

A remote Adriatic islet in Split–Dalmatia County may get its first power plant and significant energy autonomy, as it currently depends on a submarine link with the island of Hvar. Vis mayor Ivo Radica told Dalmacija News a location permit for the solar power plant is needed, as is a spatial plan for the wider area.

He added he got people from Končar – Renewable Sources doo interested in the project for the 2 MW facility, the biggest of its kind in Croatia. In comparison, the whole island of Vis, with fewer than 3,500 permanent residents, needs 3.5 MW of capacity in the midst of the tourist season, which means a solar system would cover most of the demand. An idea from the 1990s came alive a few years ago.

Now the concept design is already prepared, and several other documents are awaiting approval from the authorities, including the grid connection plan and environmental impact evaluation, Nastja Čuček from Končar – Renewable Sources told the portal. She added the investment can be estimated after papework is done. Čuček underscored that domestic companies may equip the whole power plant.

Radica had said in early 2013 that the Griževa glavica location of five hectares is state property in the centre of the island.

Meanwhile, the northern Adriatic island of Krk is striving for energy independence, free of carbon dioxide emissions, as it is expected that by 2030 it will be completely powered by renewable energy sources. Also, a small Dodecanese island of Tilos in Greece combines power generation from renewable energy sources with storage in developing an autonomous smart grid within a multinational European demonstration and research project.