DRI, the EU renewables arm of the DTEK Group, has unveiled plans for a wind farm and substation in Croatia.
The Brda Umovi array will have a nominal capacity of 127.5MW and construction is expected to start in the summer of 2025, while electricity export is expected to start in the autumn of 2026, subject to permits.
The project is expected to produce 338GWh per year, which is enough energy to supply about 83,000 households and avoid 51,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
DRI is interested in working with traders and off-takers to develop long-term agreements for the sale of electricity (off-take agreements, PPAs) as well as with the state, subject to the Contract for Difference scheme will be implemented in Croatia.
The Brda Umovi wind farm will be connected to a SS 400/110 kV substation, the first to be built in Croatia in the last 20 years and dedicated exclusively to the connection of renewable energy projects.
The substation, which will connect 300MW – with the possibility of expanding an additional 600MW – will significantly improve grid connections in the Split Dalmatia region, DRI said.
Construction of the substation is scheduled to start in summer 2025.
Both the 127.5MW wind farm at the substation will be located in the southern region of Croatia, in Split, Dalmatia.
They are the first step in DRI’s ambition to build up a portfolio of up to 500MW wind and solar projects in the country by 2028, as well as investing in substations and storage capacities.
These projects are just the first step in DRI’s ambitious plans in the country and will also contribute to Croatia’s target to reach a 36.4% share of renewable energy by 2030, as well as DRI’s wider mission to accelerate the energy transition in Europe.
DRI currently has two schemes in operation in Romania, a 53MW solar site in Glodeni and a 60MW wind array in Ruginoasa, the first wind farm built in Romania in a decade.
In addition to the projects in Croatia, a further five projects are under development in solar, wind and battery storage across Italy, Romania, and Poland.