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Renewable energy – Energy Country Profile

Renewable Energy

Status

According to the Energy Community Secretariat, the primary fuel mix of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017 was made up of 78,1 % of solid fuels, 7,1% of hydropower and only 14,8 % of other renewables. The country has set a goal of 40% renewables in final energy consumption by 2020, as stated in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (2016) and had only reached 36 % in the year 2018.

Background

A National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) was adopted in April 2016 (initial deadline was 30 June 2013). However, both entities have adopted their own renewable energy laws (as of 2013), feed-in tariff systems and NREAPs (in 2014).

In the FBiH, a federal law on renewable energy sources and efficient CHP was adopted in 2013. It sets a regulatory framework for the promotion of high-efficiency CHP and renewable generation; the entity’s NREAP targets 41 % of renewables and CHP in power generation by 2020, from 36 % in 2009.

In the RS, a new Renewable Energy Law was adopted in 2013, followed by a NREAP in 2014. The NREAP sets a 48 % target for renewables and high efficiency CHP in power generation by 2020, from 42 % in 2009.

Electricity

Although the country is in need of new power capacities, the development of new projects remains unclear and completions are often postponed. According to the Independent System Operator (NOS BiH), electricity demand is expected to increase by an average of 1.9 % per year over 2017-2026.

More than 7 GW worth of power projects are at various stages of development currently.

Hydro

Many projects for promoting hydro have been announced, yet were often put on hold or suspended. The largest project is ERS's 160 MW plant in Dabar, currently expected to be finished in 2020. Other projects include a 65 MW plant on the Drina River (expected in 2022) and a 20 MW plant in Vranduk, forecasted for 2020.The 300 MW Dubrovnik-2 plant was initially expected in 2017, however the current status has been put on hold. Other plans that have been suspended include two pumped storage projects - 64 MW in Vrilo and 52 MW in Kablic. Furthermore, two more projects on the Trebisnjica River - the 60 MW Nevesinje and 33 MW Bileca plants currently remain on hold. 

Wind

Eol Prvi is currently building the 51 MW Trusina park, one of the first wind parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plan are for it to be commissioned in 2017 and fully operational in 2018. The 51 MW Mesihovina wind project was commissioned in 2018.

Nearly 1.8 GW of further wind projects have been submitted but only few will be developed since a 350 MW cap on wind installations (230 MW in FBiH and 120 MW in RS) has been approved. So far, less than 100 MW are expected by 2026.

Solar

A solar project in BiH has yet to be developed.

Last update: 07 2023