Wind power technology and its application in Serbia

Wind energy is one of the most seriously renewable sources of energy. Transformation of wind energy into electrical energy is done by wind turbine. Attained energy depends of a velocity of wind. Production of electric current is economically if average annual velocity of the wind is more than 6 m/s. Construction price for one windmill is between 700 - 1000 euro/kW. Investments are about 75% to 90% of total expenses. Every kW produced by wind turbine is replacing the same one produced in power plants by fossil fuel. Wind power generator of 600 kW will prevent emission of about 20.000 to 36.000 tons of pollutants during his work age. Since 1997. EPS have been in constant deficit of electric current. At 2002., loss was about 5.5 TWh, i.e., over 10% of total national consumption which was 40 TWh. Loss was covered by import of expensive electrical energy and restrictions. Possible solution for lack of electric energy might be installation of 2000 to 3000 wind power generators of 1 MW, if available wind potential is more than 3 GW. Research studies shows that available potential in Serbia is from 8 to 15 GW. Our country is in the group of countries with significant energy potential. Low price of electric energy is a break for windmill installations. This price is the lowest in Europe. Price of electric energy is about 5 eurocents/kWh, which means that electric energy produced by wind generators must be lower than 5 eurocents/kWh. If we want to implement this technology in Serbia, we must increase the price of electric energy, make clear strategy for management of renewable sources and cut the bureaucracy for work permits.