Bosnian minister: Importing electricity creates new responsibilities

Bosnia and Herzegovina imports electricity, which creates new responsibilities in terms of ensuring both citizens' needs and economic stability, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Vedran Lakić said during a panel session at the Belgrade Energy Forum titled "Ensuring the Energy Transition in Southeast Europe: Cooperation, Resilience, Leadership", according to Report's Balkan bureau.

"I don't think the right strategy has been fully implemented over the past 10–15 years, but especially developments in the last 2–3 years have created serious problems," he said. "Currently, around 60–70% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy production comes from coal and traditional sources. Mines and thermal power plants built several decades ago still form the backbone of energy production."

He also noted that there is renewable energy potential of up to 30–40%, mainly located in different regions of the country.

"This used to ensure stability in the energy system. In the last 2–3 years, however, the number of solar and wind power plants has increased significantly. But there are also signs that some actors are trying to complicate cooperation, make the situation more difficult, and slow down beneficial processes, which negatively affects overall progress," the minister added.