The construction of the centre has started in the Nemetin Industrial Zone near Osijek.
The construction of a scientific centre for renewable energy with a cogeneration biogas plant started on Tuesday in the Nemetin Eco-Industrial Zone near Osijek. The project is worth about 50 million kuna.
The first phase of works will cost about 450,000 kuna and will include the construction of roads and handling surfaces.
“Given the fact that we have applied to several of the European Union funds, we expect that this year, in cooperation with relevant ministries, we will ensure the rest of the necessary financial resources, and we believe that the centre will be fully operational no later than 2019”, said Davor Kralik, director of Renewable Energy Sources, a company owned by the University of Osijek and the Town of Osijek.
He added that the money obtained from the sale of electricity would be invested in further research in renewable energy sources and environmental protection. Thermal energy from the cogeneration plant will mainly be supplied to customers in the industrial zone.
Rector of the University of Osijek Željko Turkalj said that the money for the construction of the centre would be provided from various sources. The long-term goal of the investment, which could bring as many as a hundred new jobs when it is fully completed, is to increase the production of electricity to the level which will meet the needs of the university itself.
Mayor of Osijek Ivan Vrkić pointed out that this was the fourth investment in the Nemetin Industrial Zone. He added that the project would help improve the competitiveness of the industrial zone, while additional investments and job creation could stop or at least mitigate the exodus of young and educated people from the wider region.
