Plans to build Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first natural gas storage facility have sparked strong opposition, particularly from representatives of the Tuzla region. The proposed site, Tetima, is located near the exhausted wells of a salt mine, which many locals consider a serious threat to public safety.
In response, local representatives have launched an initiative to remove the project from the country’s energy strategy. This comes after a series of heated debates in Parliament, where lawmakers from Tuzla voiced particularly strong objections. They expressed deep concern about the risks associated with placing a gas storage facility in an area known for its unstable ground. The hollowed-out subsoil beneath Tuzla is seen as highly vulnerable, and critics pointed to past industrial disasters in the area, noting that parts of the city have already sunk by as much as 17 meters.
Although the gas storage plan was only briefly mentioned in a document outlining energy cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, it has been included in both the current and previous national energy strategies. Nonetheless, the proposal has been firmly rejected by the Tuzla city government and many local residents. Mayor Zijad Lugavić stated that Tetima—or any other site in the Tuzla area—is not acceptable for such a project. He emphasized that no plan which endangers lives or property can be tolerated.
One of the main points of criticism is the lack of detailed technical assessments. Despite more than twenty years of discussions about the project, no politician has sought input from the experts working at the salt mine. A study is expected to be completed by the end of the year, which should provide a final evaluation of whether the project is technically feasible. Experts and residents alike argue that attention must shift away from political disputes and toward the collection of reliable scientific data. They believe that only with solid evidence can safety concerns be properly addressed and the well-being of the community guaranteed.
