The Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina has rejected a request for a preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Orlovaca wind farm project near Livno, proposed by the local company HB Wind. This decision follows concerns raised during a public hearing regarding the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.
The Orlovaca wind farm, which was planned to have an installed capacity of 42.9 MW with 13 wind turbines, was originally granted a concession agreement in March 2010 by the Ministry of Economy of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. In early 2020, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) approved an energy permit for the project.
However, after HB Wind submitted a request for a preliminary environmental impact study earlier this year, public opposition grew. Over 200 residents from nearby villages expressed concerns about the wind farm’s potential impact, particularly due to its proximity to residential areas. The objections highlighted ten specific points of concern, with many residents fearing the turbines would have direct, long-lasting effects on their environment and quality of life.
After reviewing these objections, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism acknowledged the validity of the residents’ concerns. The Ministry concluded that the proposed wind farm would result in irreversible harm to the surrounding environment, prompting the rejection of the EIA request.
This decision contrasts with the approval of another nearby wind energy project. The Ivovik wind farm, located between Livno and Tomislavgrad, was granted an energy permit in 2020 and has since been constructed, despite controversies surrounding its planning process. The Ivovik project, with a larger installed capacity of 84 MW, has faced accusations of land expropriation without proper documentation and protests from local residents. The Ivovik wind farm is owned by Chinese companies Sinohydro Holding and China National Technical Import and Export Corp. (CNTIC).
The rejection of the Orlovaca wind farm’s EIA represents a significant setback for HB Wind and its ambitions to develop renewable energy projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ministry’s ruling underscores the growing importance of community consultation and environmental protection in the development of large-scale energy projects, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas.
