Electricity production in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased in the first half of 2026 despite a sharp fall in thermal generation. Total output reached 7.44 TWh, up 3.5% year on year. Domestic consumption was broadly stable at 6.15 TWh, supporting a sizeable export position.
Thermal decline and hydropower increase
Thermal generation decreased by 16.9% to 3.07 TWh, with the decline linked to coal shortages and lower availability at several generating units. Hydropower moved in the opposite direction, rising by 32.4% to 3.13 TWh. Over the period, hydro produced slightly more electricity than the thermal fleet, reversing a pattern typical of a system historically dependent on lignite.
Generation from transmission-connected wind and solar projects increased by 16.1% to 0.64 TWh. The rise reflected additional facilities entering operation during the first half of 2026. Renewable expansion remains modest in absolute terms, but it is beginning to reduce reliance on ageing coal assets.
Trade flows and net export surplus
Electricity exports totalled 3.11 TWh, down 19%. Imports fell by 38.6% to 1.67 TWh. As a result, the net export surplus increased by 28.6% to 1.44 TWh.
Export revenue falls while import costs drop
Financial results were weaker than the physical balance indicated. Export revenue declined by 16.2% to €168 million, while import expenditure decreased by 47.1% to €146 million. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a positive electricity trade balance of €23 million, but this was 52.7% lower than in the previous year’s first half.
The gap between physical exports and financial returns was linked to weaker average sales values, the timing of exports, and continued imports during expensive hours . In a system with higher hydro output, an annual export surplus can coexist with purchases during periods of low river flow, plant outages or higher domestic load.
Hydrology-driven variability for regional sales
The first-half figures show both the role of hydrology and the variability it introduces into generation outcomes . A 32.4% increase in hydro output compensated for the fall in coal generation, but hydrological conditions cannot replace thermal rehabilitation, wind and solar investment, storage or stronger regional connections.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains an exporter into Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia, but the value of that position depends on when electricity is available . Flexible hydro generation sold during evening scarcity carries greater system and market value than undifferentiated baseload exports.
