The wind energy landscape in Southeast Europe is gradually evolving, with Serbia establishing itself as a significant player amid a broader regional shift towards renewable energy sources. By the end of 2025, the total installed wind capacity in Southeast Europe reached approximately 2.56 GW, representing less than 1% of the total wind capacity across Europe, which stood at 304 GW, including 265 GW onshore and 39 GW offshore.
In 2025 alone, Europe added an impressive 19.1 GW of new wind capacity, predominantly onshore. This growth reflects a robust commitment to integrating wind power into national energy systems, with countries like Denmark generating around 50% of their electricity from wind. In contrast, Southeast European nations have historically relied on coal and hydropower, resulting in slower development rates for wind energy.
Within this context, Serbia has emerged as the second-largest wind market in the region, boasting 13 operational wind farms with a combined installed capacity of 824.2 MW. The country connected an additional 199 MW to its grid in 2025 alone, marking a substantial increase of 24% compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to a diverse mix of private developers and state-backed investments.
The largest operating project in Serbia is the Čibuk 1 wind farm with an installed capacity of 158 MW, developed by Vetroelektrane Balkana d.o.o., supported by €270 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Other notable projects include Kovačica wind farm at 104.5 MW and Čibuk 2 at 154 MW, showcasing Serbia’s expanding portfolio in renewable energy.
Croatia continues to lead the region in installed capacity with approximately 1,264 MW connected to the grid by late 2025. The Croatian transmission system operator reported that it had operationalized several significant projects including Senj wind farm (156 MW) and Krš-Pađene (142 MW). These developments underscore Croatia’s pivotal role in advancing renewable energy within Southeast Europe.
Montenegro’s wind sector remains relatively nascent but is gradually expanding with projects like the Krnovo wind farm (72 MW) and Možura (46 MW). The upcoming Gvozd project aims to add another 54 MW to Montenegro’s capacity. Meanwhile, North Macedonia has recorded a total of 103 MW following recent installations including Dren wind farm (44 MW), signaling its entry into a new phase of development.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has also shown steady growth with an installed capacity of 244 MW by the end of 2025, primarily through projects like Mesihovina (50.6 MW) and Podveležje (48 MW). Future developments are anticipated as private developers become increasingly involved in the market.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that Southeast Europe’s total wind capacity could exceed 5.19 GW by 2030 if planned projects materialize successfully. Serbia is expected to reach around 2,100 MW by that time, while Croatia could see approximately 1,640 MW. However, for these forecasts to materialize effectively across the region, improvements in permitting processes and transmission infrastructure will be crucial.
As Southeast Europe navigates this transition towards greater reliance on renewable energy sources, Serbia’s role as a regional anchor will be critical for fostering collaboration among neighboring countries while addressing common challenges inherent in scaling up wind power generation.
