The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has proposed a new Gas Law that outlines critical aspects of natural gas production, transportation, distribution, storage and supply. The law is designed to protect consumer interests, enhance energy security, and promote environmental sustainability in the use of natural gas, according to Vedran Lakic, the Federal Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry. He stressed that this legislation is vital for shaping energy policy and developing gas infrastructure within the FBiH.
The adoption of the law represents a significant step towards aligning with European Union standards, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, fostering competition in the market, increasing transparency, and protecting consumer rights. It clearly defines the division of responsibilities between state and entity-level institutions, ensuring that it addresses only issues within the FBiH’s jurisdiction, such as gas production, distribution, supply, and storage. Furthermore, the law reaffirms the Federation’s commitment to establishing regulations for the natural gas sector at both the entity and national levels.
The legislation introduces regulatory oversight of the natural gas sector through FERK, aiming to improve sector efficiency and ensure better protection for consumers. It includes mechanisms for the Ministry and FERK to monitor the industry continuously and implement measures to strengthen supply security.
To further secure energy supply, the law grants the Federal Government the authority to declare a state of emergency in the event of supply disruptions, gas shortages, sudden price increases, or other market instabilities. In these cases, the Government can introduce special measures to regulate prices and reduce the impact of market fluctuations on consumers.
