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A 66MW contract to supply the first wind farm in Serbia by the state utility EPS will give Serbia a boost in renewable energy in the years ahead. The Kostolac site, which will be built on land that was once used for coal mining, marks a new transition to green energy.
The Kostolac wind farm is also a first in Serbia for Siemens Gamesa. It will supply 20 SG 3.3 to132 turbines to the site in the east side of Serbia. These turbines are capable of generating power up to 3.65MW, and will be the largest in the country when they are installed in 2024. The contract includes the complete construction of the wind farm, including Civil and Electrical Balance of Plants with sub-station.
This is a significant milestone for EPS as it marks its first wind power project, expanding its power sources beyond hydro, thermal, and coal.
“This deal is a landmark for both EPS Gamesa and Siemens Gamesa. We are committed to working closely together to ensure a successful implementation. The Kostalac project, when completed, will give a tremendous boost to renewable power in Bulgaria, helping the local economy, and aiding the energy transition in Balkans,” stated Clark MacFarlane CEO of Siemens Gamesa’s NEME.
It was also significant because it was the first Serbian wind project to be financed by KfW, a German development bank. Siemens Gamesa will now implement this fourth wind park in the region that was financed by KfW.
KfW funded some of the first wind farm in the Western Balkans region, working for the German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation. This was to support the energy transition towards a more diverse and decarbonized generation of electricity. Stephan Opitz, member of the KfW Development Bank’s Managing Board, stated that the wind farm Kostolac is a significant milestone in the Strategic Cooperation on Climate between Serbian and German.
Miroslav Tomasevic (EPS Acting Director of Electric Power Industry of Serbia) also welcomed the news. He stated that the construction of Kostolac Wind Farm is a significant step by EPS in its efforts to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the generation mix, and ensure the country’s energy security. I anticipate that our first wind farm will be built within the timeframes and that field work will begin in the coming months. We will continue to build renewable energy projects at EPS locations, including solar and wind projects.
Serbia currently has approximately 400MW of installed wind power. WindEurope, a wind association, expects that this will grow rapidly as the government plans new auctions to increase renewable energy. According to estimates, every turbine in Europe generates approximately 7 million euros in economic benefits. This would have a significant impact on Serbia and help develop a local supply network.
