Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant strides in recent years towards fostering a cleaner, more sustainable energy structure. The emergence of vast solar projects in sunny Herzegovina, and hydro power plants throughout this river-rich country, already demonstrates the nation’s dedication to diversifying its energy mix and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources, which are marked as heavy air pollutants. This year, the three existing wind farms should be joined by another one - Wind Park Ivovik.

Situated in Livno and Tomislavgrad, it will add 84 MW to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s energy profile. The project has an ambitious goal of providing clean electricity to 100,000 households. With a planned annual production of 259 GWh, it still stands as the largest wind project in BiH. As they note, the benefits it will bring are manifold, ranging from reduced environmental impact to enhanced energy security and independence, as well as significant economic advantages.

Sustainable energy is a buzzword. Nations around the globe compete in building projects that use renewable sources, found in nature, to produce electricity, whose consumption is growing day by day globally. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also walking the same path, and having been endowed with rich natural sources which can be harnessed to produce clean power, it is nowhere near utilizing it full potential.

This was one of the topics discussed in a recent whole-day education workshop VE Ivovik staged for its staff, as part of regular team building activities. This time, on the occasion of January 26 - the International Day of Clean Energy. As we were told by this company, Ivovik staff learned about the energy structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its potentials to gradually transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon electricity production.

The city host to the project - Livno - is blessed with 2.250 hours of sunshine, world-class cheese, Europe’s wild horses and immense wind potential. This company says they are happy to be part of this beautiful landscape and they use every opportunity to engage in socially beneficial practices, such as volunteering in green activism. After they joined the “Let’s Do It!” campaign in cleaning Sarajevo, last year they planted white pine trees together in the mountain of Igman.

259 GWh of green energy annually is not the only value Ivovik Wind Farm Project will contribute to the society of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its medium-term agenda, it plans to establish periodical open-door days, where higher grades of vocational secondary schools, as well as university students, can visit its Operation Center and learn about production of electricity from the wind.

The company says they hold education high on their list of values and thus far, they have made several donations to schools near their project site. “Education is far more than acquisition of knowledge and skills; it is a life-long process of personal and societal development and we are happy to be part of this journey with many bright young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Education is a key driver of change, equipping the young minds with skills to make informed decisions and break the cycle of bad habits of the previous generations which caused harm to the Earth - our only home”, they told Fena.

Wind Farm Ivovik remains committed to making its contribution as a socially responsible company and hopes their example will encourage other companies engaged in renewable energy production, to popularize this topic among the youth and raise their awareness of positive practices in energy conservation and environment preservation.

The wind of change, as Ivovik turbines start to turn this year, will usher in a cleaner, brighter chapter for Bosnia and Herzegovina and bring a sustainable and green future for generations to come, this company stated.