Local authorities in Gacko have sided with residents opposing the construction of a large solar power plant on agricultural land in the Stepen area, following a petition signed by nearly 1,700 residents. The municipal assembly unanimously backed an initiative calling for the project to be halted.
The proposed solar facility would cover approximately 203 hectares of state-owned land in a region heavily reliant on livestock farming. Local residents argue that the area is essential for agricultural activity and warn that converting pastureland into an energy project could threaten the livelihoods of many families.
Opposition to the project has been growing since 2023, when the municipality initially issued a positive opinion on the investment. Residents now hope that the latest decision by the assembly represents a turning point and will lead to the cancellation of the project in its current form.
Municipal officials emphasized that they remain open to investment and energy development, but not at the expense of agricultural land. Mayor Vukota Govedarica stated that the municipality is not prepared to allow farmland to be repurposed for construction in this case.
The concession process has already progressed significantly, with the public call for awarding the project completed. The planned investment is estimated at around €85 million. However, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Energy and Mining pointed out that the project reached this stage thanks to earlier support from the municipality itself.
The Ministry noted that Gacko had previously issued a favorable opinion and adopted key planning documents required for the project, including amendments to the spatial plan and preparation of a regulatory plan for the southern industrial zone.
Although the concession agreement has not yet been signed, the Ministry indicated that any future steps— including a potential relocation of the solar plant—would need to follow existing planning frameworks and legally prescribed procedures.
