The town of Visoko, situated near Sarajevo, is advancing towards a sustainable energy future through the BIHREC project. This initiative is spearheaded by the Sarajevska regionalna razvojna agencija (SERDA) in collaboration with Green Sustainable Solutions from Croatia and the Association for Green Hydrogen in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The primary objective of BIHREC is to establish a Renewable Energy Community (REC) that unites public institutions, local authorities, and private enterprises to collaboratively generate, share, and utilize renewable energy resources.
Central to the BIHREC initiative is the development of a socially integrated energy community. Key participants include notable local institutions such as the Center for Children and Adults with Special Needs located in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Mak Dizdar Elementary School, and a nearby private enterprise. The involvement of the City of Visoko ensures municipal support that aligns with regional development strategies.
This collaborative effort underscores the project’s commitment to social inclusivity and public benefit. It aims to engage vulnerable populations alongside educational institutions and businesses, facilitating their participation in the ongoing energy transition. By fostering a sense of shared ownership among these stakeholders, BIHREC promotes community empowerment and responsibility.
BIHREC is structured into two distinct phases. The first phase focuses on establishing the energy community’s governance framework, defining roles, and creating mechanisms for community engagement. This groundwork aims to facilitate participatory decision-making processes, enhance knowledge sharing, and establish clear guidelines for energy distribution among members.
Pending approval from Regione Emilia-Romagna, the second phase plans for the installation of an 80–100 kW photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of the Center for Children and Adults with Special Needs. This installation will not only generate clean electricity locally but also reduce energy expenses for participating institutions while serving as a tangible example of renewable energy benefits within a community context.
BIHREC emphasizes inclusive governance alongside active citizen engagement. The REC will encompass representatives from all participating entities as well as from the City of Visoko to ensure that decisions reflect both strategic objectives and everyday community needs. By integrating various stakeholders—educational, social, and commercial—the project fosters transparency and accountability within its operational framework.
The participatory approach incorporated into BIHREC includes community meetings and stakeholder consultations aimed at co-designing energy-sharing rules. This collaborative environment encourages member contributions towards shaping their collective energy future while ensuring that this REC model can be replicated across other municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Beyond generating renewable energy, BIHREC seeks to strengthen social cohesion by involving educational institutions and vulnerable communities. The economic implications are significant; shared renewable energy will help lower electricity costs for institutions and businesses alike, allowing them to allocate resources towards other local priorities. Environmentally, the planned PV installation is expected to contribute to CO₂ reduction while promoting sustainable energy consumption practices within the region.
Ultimately, BIHREC in Visoko signifies more than just a technical project; it embodies a comprehensive vision for sustainable energy development that prioritizes social inclusion and local advancement. By uniting public institutions with private enterprises alongside municipal authorities, this initiative illustrates how communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina can actively engage in their own energy transition while creating measurable benefits that may serve as a blueprint for similar efforts throughout Southeast Europe.
