The construction of all 400 SHPPs in BiH will not contribute to the production of electricity in Bosnia and Herzegovina by more than 3 %, despite that, the proposal on gradual ban of construction of small hydropower plants (SHPP) in the Republic of Srpska (RS) did not pass in the Parliament.
The proposal envisaged amendments to the Concession Law to put a moratorium on new SHPP projects until the complete ban. However, parties who advocate for immediate ban, which also includes already approved and started projects voted against this proposal.
Last week, the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) passed a decision to completely ban the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPP). The Federal Government now has three months for analysis of relevant legislation and to propose amendments to enable effective implementation of this decision.
Banja Luka Center for the Environment said in May that about 100 small hydropower plants have been built in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) so far, and the construction of around 300 more is planned. According to its coordinator Viktor Bijelic, a small percentage of electricity is produced from small hydropower plants, but huge damage is inflicted, both to the local communities and to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and both to the environment and to the economy of this country.
