Siemens Gamesa has been awarded a contract by utility EPS to supply turbines for the 66MW Kostolac onshore wind farm in Serbia.
The project is a first for the turbine manufacturer in the country, for which it will provide 20 SG 3.3-132 turbines to the site on former coal mining land in the east of Serbia.
The turbines have a rated power of up to 3.65 MW and when installation is complete in 2024 these will be the most powerful in the country.
The contract covers the turnkey construction of the wind farm including Civil and Electrical Balance of Plant with sub-station, Siemens Gamesa said
For EPS, this is a major milestone in its history as the state power producer marking its first wind power project expanding its power sources beyond coal, thermal and hydro, it added.
Kostolac is also the first wind project in Serbia financed by German development bank KfW, making it the fourth wind park financed by the company in the region to be implemented by Siemens Gamesa.
Siemens Gamesa chief executive of NEME region Clark MacFarlane said: “The deal marks many firsts for both EPS and Siemens Gamesa, and we are committed to working closely with them to ensure a successful installation.
“When complete, the Kostalac project will provide a huge boost to renewable power in the country helping the local economy and the energy transition in the Balkans.”
EPS acting director of electric power industry of serbia Miroslav Tomašević said: “The construction of Kostolac Wind Farm represents a huge step for EPS on its way towards increasing renewable energy sources share in the generation mix and securing the energy security of Serbia.
“I expect that our first wind park will be constructed within the deadlines, and I am certain that the field works will start over the following months.
“We will continue to develop renewable energy sources projects at EPS’ locations including not only wind projects but solar as well.”
KfW Development Bank managing board member Stephan Opitz said: “Working on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), KfW financed some of the first wind farms in the Western Balkan region to promote the energy transition towards a more diversified and decarbonized electricity generation.
“The wind farm Kostolac represents a very important milestone for the Strategic Cooperation on Climate between Serbia and Germany.”