Plans for a major wind project on Mount Leotar above Trebinje are moving forward after Zhongbo Group submitted a request for a preliminary environmental impact assessment to the Ministry for Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska (RS). The project, now named Leotar and previously known as Trebinje 1, is designed with an installed capacity of 537.5 MW.
The wind farm is planned north and northwest of Trebinje, above the city and the Trebisnjica river, covering about 15 square kilometers at elevations ranging from roughly 560 to 1,200 meters. Project documentation foresees 86 wind turbines, with final placement dependent on terrain and prevailing wind directions. The preliminary environmental study was prepared by the licensed firm ViZ-Zastita.
Wind analyses indicate favorable conditions, with expected annual production equivalent to 2,856 full-load hours, a capacity factor of 32.6%, and wake losses estimated at 4.6%. The project plans to use Sany SI-172/625-6.250 turbines, each rated at 6.25 MW and manufactured by the Chinese company Sany.
Developers emphasize that the project would also benefit the local economy, as 70% of the concession fee would flow directly into the City of Trebinje’s budget. The total investment is estimated at around 1.5 billion convertible marks (~750 million euros), making it one of the largest renewable energy projects proposed in the RS.
However, the project has drawn criticism over the concession process. Negotiations were conducted without a public tender and involved investors with unclear ownership structures and sources of capital, prompting Transparency International to warn of elevated corruption risks.
After the original investors, Zhongbo Group and China Power PTE, withdrew in 2025, authorities continued talks without a public call with new partners, Zhongji Construction and Zodic Energy PTE, while renaming the project Leotar. A cooperation agreement was signed in October 2025. According to the office of Energy and Mining Minister Petar Djokic, Zodic Energy PTE, founded in Singapore in March 2025, submitted the concession offer and soon after became the owner of the project company Zhongbo Group Banja Luka.
Critics argue that the lack of an open competitive procedure, limited investor scrutiny, and key decisions taken behind closed doors raise serious doubts about the legality of the process and point to heightened corruption risks.