Wind power plants as generators of economic growth

Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Croatia held a seminar on wind power plants, organized by CMS Zagreb, Vestas Central Europe and Raiffeisen Energy & Environment, on Tuesday, 12 June 2007. The seminar was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, Energy Efficiency Fund, Croatian energy regulatory agency, Croatian energy market operator, HEP and wind power plant investors. Topics of discussion were the current situation in Croatian with regards to wind power, investment obstacles and new regulation which will come to force as of 1 July.

Attorney-at-law Ms. Jasmina Crnalić from CMS Zagreb illustrated the problems that occur in the process of investment with a case study of one potential client. She pointed out the great economic potential of renewables. The new regulations which will is eagerly expected will somewhat ease the investment process, which is still very long and risky. 

Vestas Central Europe presented the development and current state of wind power plants in Denmark, the company's country of origin. The particularly interesting aspect is the development of wind power generators, whose size and capacity increased 90 times since the early years. Today's largest turbines reach a capacity of 3.0 MW. Vestas is the world's biggest wind power system producer, with over 13.000 employees. Area Sales Manager of Vestas Central Europe, Mr. Christian Liebel, emphasised that Vestas was interested in cooperation with strong Croatian producers.

Raiffeisen Energy & Environment, newly established company within the Austrian Raiffeisen Group, presented its financing and investment program for renewable energy sources. Mr. Thomas Huemer, representative of REE, said that Croatia had huge potential for development of projects within renewable energy sources, which REE intended to support through special financing programs.