Croatia: large wind farm construction start

Construction works of the largest wind farm in Croatia, located in inland Dalmatia, have started. With 20 power plants, the wind farm will be able to generate 30 megawatt of energy to be supplied to approximately 30,000 families. The investment is worth EUR 10 mln and will be mainly funded by the Split company Ehn, owned by the Spanish company Acciona Energia. During the construction works inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Construction, Ivan Vrdoljak, complained about the fact that it took ten years to obtain all the necessary authorisations for the construction of the wind farm. ''In September, the government will present a draft bill aimed at removing all bureaucratic obstacles which slow down the implementation of vital projects for Croatia's economy'', the Minister said and promised that the maximum waiting time will not exceed sixty days. In Croatia, only 1.5% of electrical power is generated by renewable energy sources plants; a government's plan provides for increasing such quota to 20% by 2030, also through significant state support.(ANSAmed).