The Leotar wind project in Bosnia and Herzegovina is progressing as the Zhongbo Group has filed for a preliminary environmental impact assessment with the Ministry for Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska (RS). This project, previously known as Trebinje 1, boasts an installed capacity of 537.5 MW and is strategically located north and northwest of Trebinje, covering approximately 15 square kilometers.
Site evaluations indicate that the project will be situated at elevations ranging from 560 to 1,200 meters above sea level, with plans for 86 wind turbines. The final placement of these turbines will depend on the local terrain and prevailing wind patterns. The preliminary environmental study has been conducted by ViZ-Zastita, a licensed firm.
Wind assessments show promising potential for energy production, estimating an annual output equivalent to 2,856 full-load hours and a capacity factor of 32.6%. The project intends to utilize Sany SI-172/625-6.250 turbines, each with a capacity of 6.25 MW, produced by Chinese manufacturer Sany.
The developers assert that the project will have a positive economic impact on the local community, with 70% of the concession fee allocated directly to Trebinje’s budget. The overall investment is projected to be around 1.5 billion convertible marks (approximately 750 million euros), marking it as one of the largest renewable energy initiatives in the RS.
Despite its potential benefits, the Leotar project has faced significant scrutiny regarding its concession process. Critics highlight that negotiations proceeded without a public tender and involved investors with ambiguous ownership structures and funding sources. Transparency International has raised alarms about increased corruption risks associated with this lack of transparency.
Following the withdrawal of original investors Zhongbo Group and China Power PTE in 2025, discussions continued with new partners Zhongji Construction and Zodic Energy PTE without a public call for bids. The project’s name was subsequently changed to Leotar, and a cooperation agreement was formalized in October 2025. Zodic Energy PTE, established in Singapore in March 2025, submitted the concession offer and took ownership of the project company Zhongbo Group Banja Luka shortly thereafter.
Critics maintain that the absence of an open competitive bidding process, coupled with limited scrutiny of investors and key decisions made in private settings, raises serious questions about the legality of the project’s development and underscores heightened corruption risks.
