Abu dhabi: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar and Taaleri Energia, a Finnish renewable energy fund manager, today inaugurated the 154-megawatt (MW) Cibuk 2 wind farm, creating the largest wind power hub in Serbia and the Western Balkans.
According to Emirates News Agency, Cibuk 2 is located alongside the 158MW Cibuk 1 wind farm in Serbia's South Banat region, approximately 40 kilometers from Belgrade. Together, these projects boast a total installed capacity of 312MW, generating enough clean electricity to power around 178,800 households. The projects collectively mark a significant investment, exceeding £500 million, in Serbia's energy infrastructure.
The inauguration ceremony in Belgrade was attended by notable figures including Dubravka edovic Handanovic, Minister of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, Ahmed Almenhali, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Serbia, and Elina Ollila, Deputy Ambassador of Finland to the Republic of Serbia, alongside the leadership of Masdar and Taaleri Energia.
With rising electricity demand in Serbia, Cibuk 2 is set to provide reliable, competitively priced, domestically generated power for decades, thereby reducing exposure to fuel price volatility and supporting a more resilient, diversified energy system. Beyond the operational Cibuk complex, Masdar has a Serbian development pipeline exceeding 200MW, encompassing solar, wind, and battery storage projects. Serbia's long-term growth potential is substantial, with plans to introduce approximately 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of new wind and solar capacity by 2030, aiming for 45 percent of electricity generation from renewables by the same year.
Dubravka edovic Handanovic emphasized the significance of the project, stating that the completion of Wind Park Cibuk 2 is a pivotal contribution to Serbia's decarbonization efforts and energy independence. She highlighted that both wind power plants developed by Masdar in Serbia account for around 25 percent of the country's combined wind and solar power capacity.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, remarked on the milestone for Masdar's presence in Serbia, showcasing the company's ability to deliver complex projects swiftly and cost-effectively. He noted the creation of a platform for greater expansion across the region and Central and Eastern Europe.
Kai Rintala, Managing Director of Taaleri Energia, expressed the project's reflection of Taaleri Energia's long-term commitment to the region, adding that their investment expertise and disciplined project execution bring lasting value to local communities and Serbia's energy transition.
During the construction of Cibuk 2, over 1,000 people were involved, predominantly local to the South Banat region. Comprising 22 Nordex turbines, Cibuk 2 is expected to generate up to 336,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power about 80,000 homes while avoiding approximately 311,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The wind farm is equally owned by Masdar and Taaleri Energia and was developed in collaboration with New Energy Solutions.
Masdar continues to build a leading renewable energy portfolio worldwide, with more than 65GW of capacity across various high-growth markets, including solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery storage, and hybrid solutions, aiming for 100GW of capacity by 2030.