Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) electricity distribution and transmission network is set to accommodate the production from new power plants with a combined capacity of 2,000 MW, which are expected to be developed in the coming years. These include hydropower plants located on the Bosna and Drina rivers, which are pivotal for the country’s ongoing energy transition process.
Zijad Bajramovic, President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee of Power Engineers (CIGRE), emphasized that the energy industry supports the development of systems that focus on increasing renewable and distributed energy production. He stressed the importance of creating a more resilient and flexible network, acknowledging the key role that integrated transmission and distribution systems play in driving the energy transition.
Bajramovic highlighted that ensuring the stability and functionality of current distribution networks or enhancing their resilience amid new climate conditions requires substantial investments. Flexibility is critical to maintaining network stability, especially with the growing use of renewable energy sources, which can be unpredictable and affected by weather changes. This issue requires the development of new technologies, such as storage batteries and inverter management. The need for such technological innovations was also discussed at the Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee of Electricity Distributors (CIRED) conference in Mostar last year.
The conference concluded that a new set of energy laws would simplify citizen participation in the decarbonization of the energy sector. However, to achieve the desired goals, specific secondary legislation must be adopted to enable the implementation of new solutions such as prosumers and renewable energy communities.
The conference also addressed the challenges energy companies, system regulators, and authorities face in enhancing the resilience of the distribution system. These challenges include dealing with system failures, power outages, equipment damage, climate change, extreme weather events like storms and floods, cyberattacks, and the need to stay adaptable to rapid technological advancements. These issues were highlighted by the significant floods in several Bosnian cities in 2024, which caused the collapse of the country’s electricity system and impacted parts of the region.
