Construction of Bogdanci wind park begins

Cornerstone laying ceremony marked Saturday the start of the construction of "Bogdanci" wind park. This is the first wind park in Macedonia which will provide pure energy from renewable source using the wind energy.



The project is expected to become operational in several months. The first phase includes 16 wind turbines; total capacity of the wind park will reach 36.8 MW and annual energy production of 100 GWh. It will provide energy to 15.000 households or a total of 60.000 citizens.

By this project we begin new chapter in energy strategy and portfolio in the Republic of Macedonia. Such tendency is unavoidably necessary if high oil prices, limited natural resources and partially used hydro potential of the country are taken into account, PM Nikola Gruevski said at the cornerstone laying ceremony.

He also mentioned that development of energy sector is one of the fundamental driving force of economic development of every country.

Macedonian Power Plants (ELEM AD) General Manager Dejan Boskovski said that turbines will be highest qualities and installed capacity of every wind turbine is 2.3 MW, the pillars are 84 meters high with 93-meter diameter blades.

Development of necessary infrastructure for wind park and accompanying facilities are currently being constructed.

German Ambassador Gudrun Stenacker also addressed the ceremony expressing assurance that the wind park will convey significant energy and political message.

The wind park implemented by ELEM clearly shows the efficient cooperation between Macedonia and Germany, she said.

Part of the funds for wind park realisation was provided through a credit from German development bank KfW signed in April 2012. The €55.5 million project is part-financed by a loan from German development bank KfW (€32.9 million) and the rest of the funds (€22.6 million) are provided by ELEM AD. sk/15:49