VSB Group developing Imotski wind farm in Dalmatia

VSB Hrvatska, a member of renewable energy company VSB Group, plans to build a 329 megawatt (MW) wind farm near Imotski in the coastal region of Dalmatia.

VSB Hrvatska is developing the Imotski Zone project in the vicinity of the city of Imotski, with a total capacity of 329 MW and a projected annual production of about 700 gigawatt-hours (GWh), Slobodna Dalmacija reported.

The Imotski Zone project would have a capacity higher than the currently largest wind farm in Croatia, Senj, whose capacity is 156 MW. However, it is not the largest one announced, since wind farm Lički Medvjed should have a capacity of 425 MW.

The wind farm will be built on the territory of six municipalities

Germany-based VSB Group is engaged in the development, construction and management of wind farms and solar power plants. It has so far installed 1 GW of capacity, and manages power plants of nearly 2 GW. At the beginning of 2020, Swiss investment firm Partners Group acquired over 80% of the shares of the German company.

The wind farm near Imotski will be built in six municipalities: Proložac, Lovreć, Lokvičići, Podbablje, Zagvozd and Runovići. Its annual electricity output will be enough to supply the entire Split-Dalmatia County, with about half a million inhabitants. The investment is estimated at almost EUR 400 million.

The Imotski Zone project is still in its infancy

Ante Renić, director of VSB Hrvatska, said Imotski Zone is the first large-scale project developed by VSB Group in Croatia. The construction of the wind farm would accelerate economic development in the area, since the project would also involve the energy network modernization and expansion, according to him.

The Imotski Zone project is still in the initial stages of development and is currently awaiting bylaws to obtain energy approval from the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. At the same time, an environmental impact assessment is being carried out.

All wind turbines will be built in accordance with the good practices of VSB Group, each one located at least 500 meters away from houses and 200 meters from roads and other infrastructure facilities.