Over the next three to four years, Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity, with plans to install solar power plants totaling 1,500 MW and wind farms adding 700 MW. This projection was shared by Edhem Bičakčić, president of the South-East European Regional Council of CIGRE (SEERC). According to Bičakčić, the country possesses substantial potential for harnessing water, wind, and solar energy, and new projects in these areas are advancing rapidly, driven in part by a substantial rise in electricity prices over the past three years.
Bičakčić estimates that these new solar and wind installations will generate approximately 4,000 GWh of electricity annually. This output would account for about a quarter of the country’s total power generation and a third of its electricity consumption. However, he noted that the major challenge for integrating these new facilities will be managing grid balancing and the capacity of the transmission and distribution networks. There is a recognized need for better synchronization in the development of these networks to accommodate the influx of new renewable energy sources.
Bičakčić also highlighted that Bosnia and Herzegovina faces significant hurdles in its energy transition, particularly the need to phase out coal power plants and achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. He emphasized that the transition involves more than just increasing renewable electricity production; it also requires integrating green energy solutions into transportation, heating, and cooling sectors.
To meet these goals, the expert suggests that the share of electricity in total energy consumption should double by 2050. This would necessitate the development of pumped storage and impoundment hydropower plants, as well as the utilization of green hydrogen and other technologies for energy storage. However, Bičakčić pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina currently lacks a comprehensive plan or strategy to address these challenges. As a developing country, it will need substantial support from international financial institutions through grants, favorable loans, and the transfer of knowledge and experience to successfully navigate its energy transition and manage the impact on coal-dependent regions.
