Winds of change on the high plateau of the Vlašić mountains
This case study explores the construction of the Vlašić wind farm planned to start in 2024, with the project being a crucial part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s transition towards renewable energy and reducing reliance on coal.
About
Challenges:
The Vlašić Wind Farm project is designed to address several critical issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- The region has historically relied heavily on coal for electricity generation, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
- The use of coal and other fossil fuels for energy production has led to poor air quality in the region, impacting public health and the environment.
- The current energy infrastructure is outdated and heavily reliant on a single type of energy source, making it vulnerable to disruptions and not resilient to future energy demands.
- The region faces economic challenges, including the need for job creation and sustainable economic growth, particularly in less developed rural areas.
Solutions
The Vlašić Wind Farm project employs several technical solutions to address the issues identified:
The project involves the installation of 18 modern wind turbines with a total capacity of 50 MW., including the construction of the necessary electrical infrastructure, such as high-voltage substations, transformers, and cable trenches. This infrastructure will facilitate the efficient transmission of the generated electricity to the national grid.
To support the installation and operation of the wind turbines, the project involves the construction of access roads, assembly areas, and platforms for cranes. This ensures that the site is accessible for both the initial construction and ongoing maintenance.
A crucial component of the project is the integration of the wind farm’s output with the national energy grid. This involves technical work to ensure that the electricity generated can be effectively and reliably distributed to consumers across the country.
Impacts
This investment project will install a 50 MW wind farm on the high plateau of the Vlašić mountain, expected to produce 112 GWh/year of electricity, which is sufficient to meet the energy needs of approximately 20,000 households. and displace 140,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.