HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL OF RIVER SUTJESKA

Abstract

Energy is a very important factor of development. The need for electricity is constantly increasing. A large part of the energy produced in the world comes from non-renewable energy sources, mainly fossil fuels, which are considered to be the main reason for global warming. A well-planned and efficient use of all available energy sources, especially renewable sources, is necessary to meet the requirements of energy demand. Hydropower represents one of the most important renewable energy sources. A significant part of the hydropower potential has already been used by the construction and operation of large hydropower plants, while smaller watercourses are still largely unused. Small hydropower plants have an insignificant negative impact on the environment, unlike conventional energy plants. The paper presents the hydro potential of the Sutjeska river basin, i.e. the possibilities of building small hydropower plants are listed. The river Sutjeska largely passes through the national park of the same name. On the river Sutjeska and its tributaries Hrčavka, Jabušnica, Klobučarica and Sušica (Suha), the construction of 13 small hydropower plants with different technical solutions is planned. Based on that, it can be concluded that this basin has a significant technically usable hydro potential that is currently unused.