The Western Balkans region is undergoing a significant energy transition, driven by the need to decarbonise its electricity sector, enhance energy security, and integrate with the European energy market. Although one of the richest countries in the region in terms of renewable energy sources (RES), over 50% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s current electricity production comes from the coal-fired power plants. To meet the goals set in the National Energy and Climate Plan and to advance implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, the country is making efforts to exploit renewable resources and integrate production capacities based on these resources into the transmission network.
The BiH electricity transmission system already has many requests for new RES (wind, hydro and photovoltaic) connections. However, the transmission network in areas abundant with renewable resources is insufficient to accommodate requests for power evacuation. By investing in development of the transmission infrastructure and safe and reliable integration of RES based production capacities, BiH will facilitate its energy sector transition. This is crucial for the green and sustainable future.
The overall objective of the CONNECTA 2 assignment is to undertake the Feasibility Study and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment on the development of the transmission network for the Bosnia and Herzegovina nation-wide grid and interconnections with neighbouring countries for the purpose of integration of planned RES.
The main tasks of the CONNECTA 2 Team are to:
- Assess the status and capacities of the High Voltage transmission network in Bosnia and Herzegovina and identify upgrades of existing and construction of new infrastructure that is required to connect planned renewable generation capacity as part of the country’s power system decarbonisation plan;
- Evaluate the relative differences in environmental and social constraints and impacts between the options, as well as to allow adequate project planning considering European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s mitigation hierarchy (Environmental & Social Policy, 2024);
- Consider ‘traditional’ network investments in lines, substations, etc., as well as more novel solutions based on energy storage and smart applications; and to
- Evaluate optimal cost upgrade /construction ratio for reconstruction and reconfiguration of the existing 110 kV network, the construction of a new 110 kV network and the construction of a new 400 kV network, with special emphasis on the southeastern and southwestern regions of BiH for the integration of RES based production capacities.
To mark the start of the CONNECTA 2 sub-project ‘Feasibility Study and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessmenton the development of the transmission network for the Bosnia and Herzegovina nation-wide grid and interconnections with neighbouring countries for the purpose of integration of planned RES’, a kick-off meeting was held on 25 April, 2025. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the NIPAC, the EBRD and the CONNECTA 2 team.
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Additional information on the assignment can be obtained by contacting Ole Johansen, CONNECTA 2 Clean Energy Key Expert, at ole.johansen@connecta-ta.eu.
