It was a full 11 years ago that Windvision, as a company engaged in wind farm construction projects and wind farm operations in Belgium and France, recognised Serbia’s potential, although adequate legislation was not then in place. And it didn’t regret that choice
We’ll spend the next five years busily realising, constructing and commissioning the Alibunar 1 and 2 and Banat 1-6 wind farms, as well as developing solar power plants, with which we’ll contribute to Serbia’s energy transition, as one of the country’s national goals – says WV International Emergy Country Manager Neda Lazendić.
It was 11 years ago that Windvision recognised Serbia as an attractive environment for doing business, despite conditions being far from ideal. Do good conditions for developing wind farms exist in our country today?
– It was way back in 2010 when Windvision recognised the potential of Serbia, although there was then no adequate legislation and other conditions for large-scale investments. After just two years, in 2012, construction of the Alibunar 1 (99MW) and Alibunar 2 (75MW) wind farms was launched, though they didn’t receive the status of a temporary privileged electricity producer within the scope of the feed-in tariff incentive model and the first quota of 500MW, despite having valid permits. From 2016 until today, we’ve been working to obtain permits for roads, transformer stations and transmission lines, whilst also working on new projects for the construction of the Banat 1-6 wind farms, with a total installed capacity of 690MW, but also on expanding our portfolio in terms of technology – solar power plants with an installed capacity of 80MW.
What has happened with the Alibunar 1 and 2 wind farms in the meantime?
– We’ve just obtained new building permit solutions for both projects, which enables us to install the latest technology wind turbines, or more precisely the wind turbines of manufacturer Vestas, V150 model with a unit capacity of 4.2 MW. Their construction depends on the implementation of a new model of subsidies that’s envisaged by the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, and those are auctions. The first are expected to take place at the end of this year, and we are currently working to ensure Alibunar 1 and 2 emerge with the most competitive price. We believe that green electricity from these wind farms can be available on the network by as early as 2023.
In 2020, we began developing new projects for the construction of the Banat 1-6 wind farms, on the territory of South Banat, with a total installed capacity of 690 MW
Serbia turned out to be the right place for you, both because of the good wind and because of the great local team. Does that mean you will expand your operations?
– In 2020, we began developing new projects for the construction of the Banat 1-6 wind farms, which consist of clusters of wind farms that are being developed in several South Banat municipalities, with a total installed capacity of 690MW. The projects are at various stages of development, from planning preparation to detailed project-technical documentation, resolving legal property ownership relations and preparing environmental impact studies. Considering that this relates to several wind farm projects, their construction and commissioning will unfold successively, from 2024 to 2026.
You have knowhow, experience and a reliable partner. Does that guarantee that the projects will be implemented successfully?
– Under the scope of our corporate restructuring, projects in Serbia remained the property of Dutch founder WV-International, which was joined in early 2021 by Norwegian company NBT AS, or Emergy, as it is now called. Funds were thus provided for the realisation of the complete portfolio in Serbia within the planned deadlines. Our partnership with such an experienced investor will certainly help us in most effectively realising our common goals, but I would particularly like to welcome the great cooperation and support of the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade, H.E. Jørn Eugen Gjelstad and the entire team, as well as cooperation with the Nordic Business Alliance.