Renewable

September 3 (Renewables Now) - Russian thermal coal producer The East Mining Company (VGK) and JSC Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (KRDV) have entered into an agreement with the government of Sakhalin Oblast to build a 67.2-MW wind farm in the island region.

The tripartite agreement on cooperation calls for the local government to support the project and provide assistance for its implementation.

The 16-turbine wind park is planned to be constructed on one of two identified sites in Uglegorsky District at a total cost of RUB 8.5 billion (USD 117m/EUR 98.4m). Commercial operation is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024.

According to Maxim Kuzemchenko, the general director of VGK, renewable energy will be used to power an under-construction coal transport conveyor and a fleet of dump trucks converted to electric traction. These components form the previously announced Green Coal Cluster project in Sakhalin.

“The Sakhalin Oblast is an island region, and is characterised by the presence of a high wind potential, the rational use of which will allow achieving ambitious goals for hydrocarbon neutrality," commented Alexei Belik, chairman of the local government.

The regional authorities have set a goal for Sakhalin to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

(RUB 1.0 = USD 0.138/EUR 0.116)