Stip WPP

pending

IFC is considering a loan to support the first phase of the Stip Wind Project, an up to 396 MW (installed capacity) wind power project (WPP) within Stip Municipality in North Macedonia (the "Project"). The first phase is to be developed by STP Wind DOOEL Skopje for Phase 1 (“the Company”) a special purpose vehicle established by Alcazar Energy Partners II SLP (SCSp) (“the Sponsor” https://alcazarenergy.com) a Luxemburg domiciled sustainable infrastructure fund. The project consists of the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the wind farm, which is anticipated to be operational for 25 to 30 years. The Project will be developed in Phases, with Phase 1 involving the installation of 21 wind turbine generators (WTGs) of total 131 MW installed capacity, overhead transmission line, and substation. Phases 2 and 3, which will add an incremental 264 MW to the installed capacity, are expected to follow within 9-12 months with construction running concurrently with Phase 1 construction. The turbines have a nominal capacity ranging from 6 to 8 MW with a hub height of approximately 120 m and a rotor diameter of approximately 182 m. In addition to the WTGs, the Project (Phase 1,2 and 3) includes the construction or restoration and widening of 68 km of internal service roads, upgrades to an off-site access road, a 35 kV underground cable network, an approximately 7 km 400 kV overhead transmission line, and a 35/400 kV substation. During project construction, road and pad construction material will be delivered from external licensed sources, and concrete is expected to be delivered from an existing offsite facility. The Project occupies approximately 335 hectares across the rural uplands of Stip, Radovish and Karbinci municipalities in eastern North Macedonia. The closest villages to project components include Ljuboten, Shashavarlija, Buchim, Baltalija and Nikoman, the nearest residential structures homes lie over 500 meter from the closest WTGs. Grazing, farming, beekeeping and the use of natural resources are expected to continue during both construction and operation outside of directly affected footprints and safety zones.The Company has selected and is about to formally commission a turbine supplier (TS) and is in the process of contracting a contractor for the Balance of Project (BOP) as well as the Operations and Maintenance company. The OHL will be handed over after commissioning to the Macedonian Electricity Transmission System Operator (MEPSO). An independent environmental and social consultant (IESC) was engaged on behalf of the project Lenders to undertake the environmental and social due diligence (ESDD).