Republika Srpska officials oppose solar plants on fertile land

Officials in Republika Srpska are raising concerns over the construction of solar power plants on high-quality agricultural land in the Lijevče polje region. Milorad Dodik, leader of the SNSD, has called the practice an “abuse” that must be stopped immediately, emphasizing that fertile soil is a vital resource that should not be destroyed for energy production.

Dodik has urged the government to urgently adopt regulations to manage this sector and called for a review of previous decisions. He stated that any illegal actions should be investigated and sanctioned, suggesting that only neglected or unproductive land should be used for solar projects.

This follows warnings from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, which maintains that energy production must not compromise food production. Local reports indicate that several solar projects are already underway or planned in the Gradiška area, including facilities owned by companies such as “Branel-fin” and “Etmax,” leading to questions regarding the consistency of rule enforcement and the coordination between local and regional authorities.