In Gračanica, a small village between Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje and Bugojno, power utility Elektroprivreda BiH is preparing to build two solar plants around 50 kilometres west of Sarajevo, with construction carried out by Turkish project developer Girişim Elektrik Sanayi Taahhüt ve Ticaret.
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The two ground-mounted solar plants are being built on the site of a former overburden dump belonging to the Bugojno coal mine. Together, Gračanica 1 and Gračanica 2 will reach a combined capacity of 50 MW. Elektroprivreda BiH is investing 53 million convertible marks (KM) in the two generators, equivalent to around 27 million euros. It is a quiet turn of history: land once dug up for coal will now generate power from the sun.
Combining energy transition with land-use planning
It is the first major photovoltaic project for the Sarajevo-based utility, which is launching a long-term energy transition strategy, with the two solar plants representing the first significant step in that direction. "The particular value of the project lies in the fact that it combines the goals of a just energy transition, sustainable development and responsible land-use planning, as the plants are being built on areas previously used for mining," says Sanel Buljubašić, General Director of Elektroprivreda. "This gives the reclaimed land a new function and transforms it into a space for the production of clean energy."
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Strengthening energy security
Elektroprivreda is aiming to expand its renewables portfolio and strengthen energy security through the project, explains Harun Gadžo, Executive Director for Capital Investments at the utility. The company also wants to make its energy supply less dependent on fossil fuels, increasing resilience against external influences and contributing in the long term to the sustainability of the power system of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an important step towards modernising Elektroprivreda BiH's generation capacity, says the utility's investment chief.
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The services contractually agreed with Girişim Elektrik Sanayi cover the design of the plants, the procurement and delivery of components, and the construction, testing and commissioning of the two solar parks. Girişim Elektrik Sanayi will also handle maintenance for a fixed contractual term. Elektroprivreda will finance the project with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Unicredit Bank in Mostar. (su)
