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Frequently asked questions

General VELM

Who is the initiator of the windfarm?

The development of a wind farm in the mountains near Otočac was initiated by the company Green Trust. Green Trust is an international consultancy firm in sustainable energy with roots in The Netherlands and active in Croatia since 2017.

What is the location of VE Lički Medvjed?

VE Lički Medvjed is located in the northeast part of Otocac municipality on the hills: Mali Lisac, Markovac and Javornik. The closest villages are Dabar, Vrhovine and Doljani, all within three kilometres of the project. 

In the mountains of Otočac, Lički Medvjed has the goal to generate up to 425MW of energy. The plan is to construct 51 wind turbines.

 

How about nature and wildlife at the location?

Lički Medvjed is not only producing green energy, it is also reinforcing the existing nature and wildlife. A wind farm can be developed and build in a nature inclusive way. We want to contribute to this to set the standards. This can be done in an early stage, during the wind farm design, or later during construction and the exploitation stage, by taking some measures in account which will limit/mitigate the impact on nature. It is also possible to contribute/mitigate on other locations nearby, so the quality of nature in the surrounding area will not be harmed (significantly) as a whole.

Mitigation measures can be:

  • Shut down system for bats (at certain wind speeds, temperature, from sunset till sunrise) to reduce bat mortality

  • Bat Protection System (BPS)

  • Detection system for eagles or critically endangered birds

  • Limitations on construction at particular locations during activity hours or important denning periods

  • Coordination during construction of an ecologist

  • Closing roads of the wind farm in order to reduce traffic disturbance (during operation)

  • Wind Fund for large carnivore Habitat Conservation

  • Habitat Management (Forest Management, restricted hunting areas, roe deer reintroduction)

  • Painting one blade of the turbines (e.g. black or red)

Which measures will be included depends on the decision of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development on the basis of the Environmental Impact Study of VE Lički Medvjed prepared by authorized experts.

When will the windfarm be built?

That is not clear yet. Currently we are in the process of obtaining various permits and approvals. We intend to start construction of the windfarm in 2027.

Participation & communication

How do we contribute to the local community?

We believe in contributing to the community. We want the local community of Dabar and Otočac to benefit from the profits of Lički Medvjed. For example by creating permanent employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy by contracting local companies for products and services. During construction and in the asset management, we need more than 300 people and companies to work on the project. And those will, where possible, be local people from Lika region. Furthermore, we are creating a wind fund that can stimulate local sustainable projects, such as solar panels on the roofs of the houses, or other social initiatives.

What can we do to contribute?

  • Production of the „green energy” about 400 MW power supply

  • Yearly electric energy production of about 1 TWh (1,000,000,000 kWh), which covers about 5% of the yearly energy consumption in Croatia

  • Investment cost more than 500.000.000 EUR

  • About 50 employees directly employed during overall operating time (30 years of operation)

  • About 500 workers during construction (4 years)

  • Great impact on the local population and community through employment

  • Reconstruction of the 25 km local road between highway and National park Plitvice

  • Investment into the national 400 kV electric grid

  • Nature inclusive wind farm

  • 200.000 Euros per year for the local community for their projects

  • More han 1,3 million euros per year in local taxes will be paid to the city of Otočac

Can I be involved in the process of participation?

Yes you can! You can sign up for a consultation group to think about ways the wind farm can contribute to the community. We’re always looking for ideas. Please sign up through info@velickimedvjed.eu.

How is everyone informed about the windfarm?

We intent to keep everyone around the wind farm informed about the process. Through the website www.velickimedvjed.eu, information markets and other activities, we hope to reach everyone. If you miss anything or have any question, please send us a message through info@velickimedvjed.eu.

Planning procedures and policy

What needs to be investigated for a permit application?

The EIA, Environmental Impact Assessment, is executed to evaluate the impact on nature at the wind farm. When these studies are done and positively evaluated by the Ministry, the application for the location and construction permit can be done. Time schedule

  • EIAS issuing to the Ministry – 9-2023

  • Obtaining energy approval – summer 2023

  • EIAS evaluation by the Ministry - summer 2024

  • Location permit - 2025

  • Construction permit - 2026

  • VELM construction start – 2026-2027

  • VELM start up and commercial operation - 2028-2029

Wind energy in general

How does a wind turbine work?

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity. A wind turbine consists of:

  • Rotor (blades)
  • Gondola (gearbox, hub, generator and wheelbarrow)
  • Mast, containing cables

The gondola contains the basic parts of a windmill: The drive shaft and the generator. The wind turbine generator is the part where the wind energy is converted into electricity. In the generator the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and works as a kind of large dynamo. By the movement of the shaft in a magnetic field current voltages are generated. The current goes through the high voltage cables in the mast to the transformer, which brings the current to the correct voltage level and puts it on the electricity network. The transformer is located in the gondola or on the ground next to the windmill.

The blades called rotor blades are always facing the wind. Modern windmills can change the position of the rotor blades so that they can always be in optimal position. The rotor blades are made of epoxy resin and glass fiber and have the shape of airplane wings, they are driven by lift force caused by the wind.

The shaft height and the rotor diameter determine the actual output. The higher the mast, the more wind the rotor blades catch, so the higher the power output. How much power a wind turbine ultimately produces also depends on the wind supply at a location and whether there are trees or buildings nearby. Wind turbines can convert the wind into energy at wind force 2-3, but the best is wind force 6 (approx. 10-11 m/s).