Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06ZAGREB1394 | 2006-11-21 11:34:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Zagreb |
VZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHVB #1394/01 3251134 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (TAO) R 211134Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6950 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC |
UNCLAS ZAGREB 001394 |
1. (SUMMARY) Driving along the coastal highway, the 14 recently erected windmills appear on a bluff above the town of Sibenik, evoking sighs of delight from some and dismay from others. Croatians are split over whether windmills are another man-made environmental hazard or the means to help the country meet its quota for clean, renewable energy while covering domestic power demands. Further production depends on results of studies currently underway and on legislation aimed at regulating renewable energy and feed-in tariffs. Croatia's goal is to have 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and eventually reach 20 percent. (END SUMMARY) 2. After an official from the Croatian electric company (HEP) stated during an energy conference that there were more investors interested in wind energy than projects to invest in, HEP commissioned the Zagreb-based energy think tank, the Hrvoje Pozar Institute, to conduct a thorough study of the pros and cons of wind energy in Croatia. Issues include connecting wind power to the energy grid, compensating for dips in wind-generated power, environmental impact, and comparing the wind plants' cost to potential production. The study is expected by the end of the year. The GoC is considering legislation that would define the share of electricity from renewable energy sources and establish a tariff system. EnerSys 3. Econoffs recently visited a newly-opened wind power plant built and operated by EnerSys in Sibenik on the Adriatic coast, the second such plant constructed in Croatia. The plant was completed in June, with opening ceremonies held Nov. 14. EnerSys' director Zeljko Samardzic said the plant was built after a two-year feasibility study, similar to the one being done by Hrvoje Pozar. Samardzic showed the completely computerized and automated interior of the windmills, explaining that information on energy production, wind speed, and maintenance problems could be monitored in real-time from an office in Sibenik. 4. The fourteen 50-meter high windmills, with 24-meter blades, are the smallest models. They each operate on 40 kW per hour, but together can produce 11.1 megawatts of electricity per hour. When operating at full capacity, the windmills could produce electricity for 10,000 homes. Except for the soft whooshing of the blades, the windmills are barely audible when standing beneath them, dispensing any concerns of sound carrying to nearby towns. HEP has contracted to buy electricity from the EnerSys wind plant for 61 euros per MWh for 15 years. Koncar 5. Koncar, an electrical equipment company, is also conducting its own study with plans to erect an experimental wind farm in Konjsko, inland from the coastal city Split. The plan calls for construction of ten 1-megawatt windmills, costing about $12 million, by the end of the year and 15 more windmills next year. Company director Miroslav Madercic said Koncar has been making parts for windmills and decided to produce their own with an eye toward the global market. He said Koncar can make windmills faster than the 9 months it currently takes for delivery from one of the European producers. He said windmill production and windmill plants are good for economic development in Croatia, adding that the windmill industry (both production and operation) employs some 70,000 in Germany. Koncar sees a good market in neighboring countries, especially Bosnia and Serbia. 6. Madercic said Croatia would be best served by a combination of wind and hydroelectric plants, because hydroelectric plants can quickly compensate when there is not enough wind to produce electricity. He said one reason wind and hydro power plant production is stalled is because of HEP's focus on gas and coal plants. He said there could be many more projects in progress, but all need HEP's approval to connect to the electrical grid. He also said if feed-in tariffs are set at 8 euro cents per kilowatt hour, wind energy park construction would be feasible. More projects planned in Croatia 7. Next year EnerSys plans to build another 12-windmill park in Orlice, between Sibenik and Split, with an electrical output of 9.6 MW. The following year, project developer Valalta from Istria and German partner Wallenborn Projektentwicklung are planning a wind power plant with 22 generators in Vratarusa, near Senj and 34 more wind generators in Cicarija in Istria. Croatian company Dalekovod, is currently surveying 25 locations in Bosnia and Croatia. They have placed wind-measuring units in 10 locations so far. All of these projects are moving forward but will be more secure once the approving legislation is passed. Environmental concerns 6. Environmentalists and ornithologists have expressed concern for birds that often fly along the coast. They claim that too many have been killed by flying into the spinning windmill blades. Koncar's studies include bird migration patterns. Madercic said Koncar will avoid erecting windmills in the direct path of such migration or they would be erected higher to avoid flying species common to the area. However, environmentalists said birds are not completely predictable and that even the higher windmills would still pose a hazard to high flying species such as eagles and hawks. The EnerSys director said the windmills pose more of a threat to bats, which are attracted to sound and added, "Many more birds are killed on the highway than by windmills." Tourism 7. While some are concerned windmills will take up prime coastal land, which could be used for hotels and golf courses, others see the beauty and attraction of wind farms. A representative from Hrvoje Pozar said there was mention of turning the first wind farm on Pag into a tourist attraction, similar to one in California. Bradtke |