An onshore wind farm claimed to be the largest in Serbia has officially been opened. Located in Kovačica, the €189 million (£167m) wind farm consists of 38 turbines with a total capacity of 104MW. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 68,000 households a year and reduce carbon emissions by almost 250,000 tonnes annually. Mining and Energy Minister Aleksandar Antic said: “The Government of the Republic of Serbia has placed implementation of clean energy as one of its priorities in the energy sector, with the objective by next year to produce 27% of electric power from renewable energy sources and add to the network 500MW of wind power. This project proves that we are on the right path.” The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) supported the construction of the wind farm with a €49 million (£43m) loan for developers Enlight Renewable Energy and New Energy Solutions. Zsuzsanna Hargitai, EBRD Regional Director of the Western Balkans, added: “Investment in renewable energy is at the core of our energy strategy. It is particularly important for the Western Balkans, a region which is dependant heavily on coal for electricity generation. “We are pleased to see this significant project successfully completed and we hope that the project will serve as an encouragement to other investors interested in renewable energy in the region”.
A 104 MW onshore wind farm has gone online in Kovacica, Serbia. The €189m ($206m) facility comprises 38 turbines capable of powering 68,000 homes a year and reducing carbon emissions by almost 250,000 mt annually. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development loaned Enlight Renewable Energy and New Energy Solutions €49m towards the cost of construction. Serbia aims to produce 27% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2020.