Fintel Energija and MK Group have announced the Agrosolar Kula project, a simultaneous production of agricultural crops and electricity from solar energy in the same area. The companies plan to install solar panels with a total installed capacity of 660 MW.
Agrosolar Kula envisages an investment of EUR 340 million and will be implemented on the territory of the municipality of Kula in Serbia’s Vojvodina province. According to renewable energy company Fintel Energija and agribusiness MK Group, which have together built 80 MW of wind farms in Serbia, Agrosolar Kula is the first agro-energy project in Serbia and the Balkans, and also the largest in Europe.
The solar power plant in the municipality of Kula would be the largest in Europe
The project would also represent the largest solar power plant in Europe since the biggest one currently, Nunez de Balboa, has an installed capacity of 500 MW, while Iberdrola and Danone have recently announced the construction of an even larger one, with a capacity of 590 MW. Fintel Energija is also preparing the construction of the largest onshore wind farm in Europe, near Subotica in Serbia.
Agrosolar Kula will cover 700 hectares of land in Kula, divided into seven zones for various organic crops, allowing production for as much as 11 months a year.
Organic food will be produced under the solar panels, and electricity will be sold on the market
Solar panels will be installed on approximately one third of the total area, and the expected annual production of green energy is about 832 GWh, enough to supply 20,000 households.
The total installed capacity of solar panels will be 660 MW, and the produced electricity will be sold on the market, the companies told Balkan Green Energy News.
According to Fintel Energija and MK Group, the innovative application of solar panels in combination with vegetation creates a such microclimate which increases the productivity of agricultural production and the efficiency of energy production. It also reduces CO2 emissions and water consumption for irrigation.
Serbia and the region are experiencing a solar boom
The pioneering investment of Fintel Energija and MK Group is of great importance for the sustainable development of agriculture and renewable energy production, so we expect strong added value for both sectors, said Tiziano Giovannetti, CEO of Fintel Energija.
Solar energy is experiencing a boom in Serbia and the region. CWP Global recently announced the construction of the first large photovoltaic power plant in Serbia with a capacity of 50 MW.