Catching the wind to power the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina
This case study explores the Poklečani Wind Farm project, anonshore wind farm initiative located in the Rakitno area within the West Herzegovina Canton, currently in the pre-construction phase.
About
Challenges:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina faces issues related to the reliability and diversity of its energy sources. The current energy mix heavily depends on non-renewable sources, leading to potential vulnerabilities in energy security.
- The country, like many others, is grappling with the impacts of climate change. There is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production methods.
- The region’s economy is in need of growth and diversification, particularly in sectors that can provide long-term sustainable development. The energy sector, with its potential for renewable energy projects, presents a viable opportunity for economic expansion.
- As Bosnia and Herzegovina works towards aligning with European Union standards, particularly the EU Green Agenda, there is pressure to increase the share of renewable energy in its overall energy production.
Solutions
The project presents innovative technology solutions:
The project will deploy 20 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6.6 MW, resulting in a total installed capacity of 132 MW. These turbines are designed to harness the region’s wind resources efficiently, transforming wind energy into electricity.
The project will utilize state-of-the-art wind turbine technology to maximize energy capture and efficiency. This includes optimizing turbine placement within the site to take full advantage of the wind patterns in the mountainous region of West Herzegovina.
As part of the project, environmental impact assessments are conducted to minimize the ecological footprint. Mitigation measures are planned to ensure that the installation and operation of the wind farm do not adversely affect the local environment.
Impacts
- Mostar is expected to generate 436 GWh/year of electric power, expandanding generation capacities by 14.6 percent, and increase annual generation by approximately 20 percent
- The investment is expected to produce 437 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the energy demand of 72,700 households, and displace 446,900 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- The generated electricity will be integrated into the national grid. This helps diversify the energy mix, reducing dependence on hydrological conditions, and enhancing the stability and sustainability of the electricity supply.