Construction of first solar power plant begins

The cornerstone was laid on Monday on Mt. Zlatibor in western Serbia for the country's first, 5 MW solar power plant. The ceremony was attended by heads of the Dunav Osiguranje insurance company, and the state power corporation EPS, Milenka Jezdimirovic and Dragomir Markovic. Construction of first solar power plant begins President of the Cajetina municipality Milan Stamatovic also attended. The plant will be located 6 km from the center of the major settlement of Zlatibor. The two companies will build the plant together. The first stage of the construction, which will give the plant an output of one MW, is expected to be completed in spring 2012, with the rest of the project getting finished over the next few years. Markovic said renewable energy sources were a top priority for EPS, which is the national power supplier. EPS has to change its production, which is currently based on coal, and an opportunity for that lies in water power and renewable sources, Markovic noted. "This is one of the first projects. We are preparing other large projects regarding hydroelectric plants, for which we have secured EUR 45 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We expect the construction of an EPS wind farm near Kostolac to begin in the fall," he remarked. Markovic added that there were plans to build large hydroelectric plants on the rivers of Velika Morava, Ibar, Drina and Danube. Jezdimirovic state that the first solar plant was a pioneering effort employing Serbia's resources, expertise and infrastructure. This type of investments will provide budget revenue, improve economic development, create new jobs and help protect the environment in Serbia, she pointed out. Stamatovic said Zlatibor is a good place to build solar plants because it has 250 days of sunshine each year. The two companies started a project to build 50 small power plants, 28 of which will be located in the city of Uzice area, western Serbia. Dunav Osiguranje, one of the largest insurance companies in Serbia, is the main investor, while EPS is co-investing. The cerermony on Mt. Zlatibor today (Tanjug)

Construction of first solar power plant begins

President of the Čajetina municipality Milan Stamatović also attended.

The plant will be located 6 km from the center of the major settlement of Zlatibor.

The two companies will build the plant together. The first stage of the construction, which will give the plant an output of one MW, is expected to be completed in spring 2012, with the rest of the project getting finished over the next few years.

Marković said renewable energy sources were a top priority for EPS, which is the national power supplier.

EPS has to change its production, which is currently based on coal, and an opportunity for that lies in water power and renewable sources, Marković noted.

"This is one of the first projects. We are preparing other large projects regarding hydroelectric plants, for which we have secured EUR 45 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We expect the construction of an EPS wind farm near Kostolac to begin in the fall," he remarked.

Marković added that there were plans to build large hydroelectric plants on the rivers of Velika Morava, Ibar, Drina and Danube.

Jezdimirovic state that the first solar plant was a pioneering effort employing Serbia's resources, expertise and infrastructure.

This type of investments will provide budget revenue, improve economic development, create new jobs and help protect the environment in Serbia, she pointed out.

Stamatovic said Zlatibor is a good place to build solar plants because it has 250 days of sunshine each year.

The two companies started a project to build 50 small power plants, 28 of which will be located in the city of Užice area, western Serbia.

Dunav Osiguranje, one of the largest insurance companies in Serbia, is the main investor, while EPS is co-investing.