Serbian state-owned power utility EPS has launched a tender for the construction of solar power plant Petka near Kostolac, at the tailing pond at open pit coalmine Cirikovac.
The pond has a length of 2.2 kilometers and width of 1.2 kilometers. It is estimated that it is possible to install up to 17,100 solar panels. Panels with power of 650 W and 20.9 % efficiency were chosen for the project.
Bids may be submitted until 8 February 2022.
Last month, EPS launched a public call for the analysis of the potential usage of the locations for the construction of solar power plants. According to the technical specification, the aim of the preparation of the study is to create the preconditions for the construction of solar power plants on the facilities and land that EPS has at its disposal. The call is open until 20 December.
EPS emits around 30 million tons of CO2 a year and the high additional costs for the CO2 emission fee, as soon as they are implemented, would have a large negative impact on the operations of EPS. That is why EPS has a vital interest to increase, as much as possible, the participation of renewable sources, and reduce its reliance on coal before the obligation of paying fees for CO2 emission is implemented.
