Croatia, Ljubac wind farm entered commercial operation

Slovenian energy group Petrol said that its 30 MW wind farm Ljubac near Knin has entered commercial operation.

The wind farm entered trial operation last August and in April it obtained an usage permit. The cost of the project amounted to some 37 million euros.

Petrol Management Board member Joze Bajuk pointed out that Croatia has much greater potential for the development of renewable energy projects, especially solar and wind, compared to Slovenia, adding that the company is looking for new opportunities for acquisitions in Croatia, focusing on highly developed RES projects.

He pointed out Petrol’s investment of a total of 17 million euros in three large solar power plants in the Knin area, with a total installed capacity of 22 MW, with an expected production of 29 GWh, which should be commissioned in early 2023. Bajuk reported that at the end of 2021, the Petrol Group had a total installed RES capacity in the amount of 68.9 MW. Last year it produced 100 GWh of electricity, and this year it plans to produce 160-170 GWh.

In late 2019, Petrol signed an agreement for the construction of Ljubac wind farm with German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex Group. Construction of the plant started in spring 2020. The wind farm is located in Knin municipality in southern Croatia and consist of nine wind turbines. Its estimated annual electricity generation is 96 GWh, enough to meet the demand of around 30,000 households.

This is Petrol’s first project in the field of wind energy production carried out without financial support or subsidies.