Croatian state-owned power utility, HEP, has launched a public tender worth €125,000 for a comprehensive study to explore the potential for new wind farms across Croatia. The study will cover both continental counties such as Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Srijem, as well as all coastal counties, including Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Lika-Senj, Zadar, Sibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva.
In addition, areas within a 20-kilometer radius of existing hydropower plants—such as HPP Velebit, HPP Vinodol, HPP Zakucac, HPP Orlovac and HPP Senj—will be considered for potential wind farm development due to their more accessible network connection possibilities. The study will also explore wind farm prospects in eastern Croatia, where wind speeds differ from those in Dalmatia. Despite varying wind conditions, eastern Croatia offers simpler network connections, easier wind turbine transport, and lower construction costs. These sites are expected to make use of advanced wind turbine technologies, including turbines with rotor axis heights over 125 meters and diameters exceeding 170 meters.
The study will assess wind potential using available data, along with spatial planning factors such as land ownership, ecological networks, forests, cultural heritage and other relevant considerations. Wind modeling and electricity production estimates will also be included. At the conclusion of the first phase, a detailed report on the most promising locations for wind farm development will be produced.
The project will proceed in two phases. The first phase involves identifying potential sites for new wind farms, while the second phase will evaluate up to 20 existing wind farm projects currently under development. These projects will be assessed for their technical characteristics, administrative status, and investment readiness. Special attention will be given to a detailed analysis of 10 of these projects to identify potential obstacles or risks that could hinder further development. Based on a set of defined criteria, the most promising projects will be ranked for further investment.
The entire study is expected to be completed within six months. Preliminary versions of the studies from both phases will be available within the first few months, with final reports due by the end of the contracted term. The deadline for submitting bids for the tender is 7 January 2025.
