Metod Energija plans to build a 22.36 MW solar plant which is valued at 31.7 million marka ($17.6 million/16.2 million euro) in Bileca, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Serb Republic has opened a tender for other bidders, with the company receiving up to a 10% bonus in bid evaluation points for initiating the project.
Application Open for the Solar Plant
Metod Energija — a Bosnia and Herzegovina-based company — is gearing up to construct a 22.36 MW solar power plant in the municipality of Bileca. This ambitious project which is estimated to be worth 31.7 million marka ($17.6 million/16.2 million euro) has been reported by local media.
The company has taken a proactive step by submitting a self-initiated offer for the award of a concession. This action has prompted the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Serb Republic to open a tender for other bidders, as reported by the news provider Indikator on Sunday. As a result of initiating the project, Metod Energija will receive up to a 10% bonus in bid evaluation points. The concession for this project will be awarded for a period of up to 50 years.
Under the terms of the concession, the company will be required to pay a one-time fee of 951,014 marka for the concession rights. Additionally, there will be a usage fee of 0.0055 marka per KWh of electricity produced. The Serb Republic (one of the two autonomous entities forming Bosnia and Herzegovina) is pushing forward with this initiative to harness solar energy.
Harnessing Solar Energy Potentials in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has been identified as having significant potential for the implementation of solar power plants among the Balkan countries. It is estimated that the energy produced from solar power plants in the country could reach 70.5 × 10^6 GWh per year, with Herzegovina being the most suitable area for such projects.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's solar potential — with around 60% of the land area — could achieve between 1.2 and 1.4 MWh/kWp of photovoltaic capacity compared to the world's solar potential. Solar energy is increasingly being recognized as one of the best options for renewable energy. It has many advantages, such as minimal negative environmental impact (no emission of pollutants into the atmosphere), cost-effectiveness, reliability, and sustainability.
Image: Collected
Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoys approximately 2,000 hours of sunlight per year, with regions in the southern part of the country receiving about 2,400 hours of sunlight annually. The photovoltaic power potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina is notable.
Enjoying the Impact of PV Systems and Solar Plants
The daily amount of radiation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is about 1,500 kWh/m^2 per year, which is significant for PV systems. For the successful implementation of PV systems, it is crucial to have continuous sunlight available throughout the year. This is more important from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as 80% of the sun's radiation energy is received during this period.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's journey with solar power began in 2012, with the establishment of its first solar plant in Kalesija. This plant generates 120 kWh of power with panels distributed over 1,200 m^2, and sends the converted solar energy to the Electric Power Industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its annual production is around 150,000 kWh of electricity.
Another noteworthy solar plant is located in Goražde. This plant is unique due to its adaptable construction for different seasons and has a planned annual production of 200 MWh, providing energy for 100 households in rural areas. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has plans for an additional 180 solar plants, with 152 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 28 in the Republika Srpska.
Metod Energija's planned solar power plant in Bileca represents a significant step forward for Bosnia and Herzegovina in harnessing its solar potential. This project not only aligns with the global push for renewable energy but also promises to contribute to the country's energy sustainability and economic development.