Windmills with current installed power of 131MW which are connected to the national Croatian Grid network should cover the costs of regulation within the energy system. In 2011 the windmills with its maximum output power reached 7,9% of total load.
Some power plants like WM Trtar Krtolini and WM Brusla will bring profits to its owners while others like WM Pometeno Brdo due to low production might generate loss. In Croatian Energy Company HEP are saying that by end of 2012 some new 200MW might be installed and 2013/2014 additional 100MW.
HEP Assistant director Marko Lovric stated that HEP expects the growth of electricity production in coming years. By 2020 TPP Plomin C should enter the HEP network. HEP also counts on 568MW from gas power plant in Slavonski Brod. Lovric stated that if this gas power plant starts its operation on time all supply demand will be fulfilled.
Due to the lack of industrial consumption HEPs grid peak load is not suitable for integration of new energy power generation facilities as their operation depends on meteorological conditions so the conventional facilities have to adjust to their operation. For 400MW from wind energy plants, we will need 400MW of conventional power and ideally for RES plants regulation are gas plants and reversible hydro power plants.
HEP calculated that each MW from windmills demands the investment of 150.000 EUR into network. Beside investments into grid Croatia will have to invest in the construction of reversible hydro plants like Serbian Bistrica project.At the moment HEP has layout design of such reversible HPP on river Cetina.
HEPs director for system management stated that costs for regulation reserves will increase, as well as the balancing costs and that this costs should be covered from windmills owners. HEP should work more with windmill owners on their production planning, but also on developing the balancing market and regional energy stock market. HEP is also planning to open a new division for RES production planning.
Ivica Toljan from HROTE, Croatian independent operator body replied that RES plants should have their own private independent production planning unit as their production planning is only possible for 4 hours ahead. Balancing prices as well as the regulation prices should be completely covered by windmill operators and owners, stated Toljan.
Source Serbia Energy Magazine
