The Republic of Srpska (RS) plans to add at least 250 megawatts of solar energy to its electricity grid within the next three years, according to the RS Minister of Energy and Mining, Petar Djokić, who spoke at the Belgrade Energy Forum 2025.
Minister Djokić stated that the entity has already secured agreements and partnerships for 2,200 megawatts of renewable energy projects, encompassing solar, wind, and hydropower sources. Of that total, 755 megawatts of capacity will be developed by the state-owned utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) under existing concessions. The combined investment value of these projects is estimated at around 2.8 billion euros, positioning RS as a significant player in the regional energy market.
He emphasized the importance of these developments given the relatively small size and population of the Republic of Srpska, which is one of the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, he noted that successfully implementing these renewable projects over the next five years will also require upgrades to the transmission network to ensure it can handle the increased capacity. With the right investments, RS’s transmission infrastructure could accommodate energy from both its own territory and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Djokić highlighted the need for strong financial support to achieve these goals and expressed hope for cooperation with European financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank.
In reference to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, he mentioned that the energy mix in RS has already begun to shift. While fossil fuels previously accounted for 62 percent of the energy supply, that figure has been reduced to 54 percent.
Looking ahead to 2028, RS plans to complete the construction of two new hydropower plants—Dabar and Bistrica—with capacities of 159 megawatts and 36 megawatts, respectively. Both plants are being developed by ERS. Additionally, a private investor is finalizing work on another hydropower facility. Meanwhile, solar power plants with at least 250 megawatts of capacity are expected to become operational over the next three years.
