In Gacko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, local authorities have expressed support for residents opposing a proposed large solar power plant on agricultural land in the Stepen area. This decision comes after nearly 1,700 residents signed a petition urging the municipal assembly to halt the project. The assembly’s unanimous backing of this initiative marks a significant shift in local sentiment towards energy development on farmland.
The planned solar facility is set to occupy around 203 hectares of state-owned land in a region predominantly engaged in livestock farming. Residents contend that this land is crucial for their agricultural activities, arguing that transitioning pastureland into an energy project could jeopardize the livelihoods of many families. The opposition has intensified since 2023 when the municipality initially favored the investment.
Local officials have reiterated their openness to investment and energy projects but emphasize that such developments should not come at the cost of agricultural land. Mayor Vukota Govedarica has made it clear that the municipality will not permit farmland to be repurposed for construction in this instance, reflecting a broader concern for maintaining local agricultural practices.
The concession process for the solar project has advanced considerably, with a public call for awarding the project already completed. The estimated investment for this initiative stands at approximately €85 million. However, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska highlighted that prior support from local authorities facilitated the project’s current status.
The Ministry also indicated that Gacko had previously issued favorable opinions and adopted essential planning documents necessary for advancing this project, including amendments to spatial plans and regulatory preparations for a southern industrial zone. Despite these developments, the concession agreement remains unsigned, and any future actions regarding the solar plant’s location must adhere to existing planning frameworks and legal procedures.
