Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready for a “massive” solar development.
This is claimed by Farooq Sher, an associate professor at Nottingham Trent University, who has been researching the capacities and potentials of renewable energy in our country for two years.
He told pv magazine that Herzegovina is perfect for large solar installations. However, he could not confirm that our country will seize this opportunity due to its heavy reliance on coal.
“There is potential for renewable energy to overshadow coal – but that’s if the government implements certain policies,” he said.
Professor Sher, whose research areas include renewable energy and nanotechnologies, reached this conclusion after two years of researching the renewable energy sector in the region, the results of which were recently published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, in a co-authored paper titled “Perspectives on the Potential and Development of Renewable Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
The paper explores hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and bioenergy. It also states that the current energy composition of the country is: the coal and lignite industry produces more than half (60%) of the national energy, followed by hydropower (35%) and wind energy (2%).
107 MW Installed Last Year
Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded only 107 MW of installed solar capacity at the end of last year, according to the latest data published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). But Sher said he believes our country is ready for more solar energy because it has “strong” potential due to its climate. Herzegovina is particularly optimal for solar energy as it records 2,400 hours of sunlight annually.
At the same time, the amount of radiation is approximately 1,500 kWh/m2 annually, which is “very significant” for solar energy.
In September, IRENA published its own assessment of “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s readiness for renewable energy.” The report found that despite the country’s energy security and independence, it is burdened by “air pollution and health impacts” resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and wood.
IzThe report also recognizes the “underdeveloped” photovoltaic potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This underutilization could be due to the “high” initial cost of developing solar energy, Sher said. Part of the reason lies in the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the European Union (EU).
“Because it is not in the EU, there are no strict laws that would follow emission targets,” he added.
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in 2016, and as of December last year, it was officially declared a candidate country. This year, however, the EU Commission updated Bosnia and Herzegovina’s status, stating that it needs to “make additional efforts” to meet the key priorities set out in the EU Opinion from 2017. According to the Opinion, “significant effort” refers to addressing issues related to the environment and climate change.
Goal of 42.5% by 2030
The IRENA report found that Bosnia and Herzegovina will comply with EU legislation – supported by the main goal of 42.5% renewable energy production by 2030. This would include eliminating subsidies for the energy sector, adopting prices that reflect costs and coal prices, and environmental conservation requirements.
According to Sher’s study, Bosnia and Herzegovina has established only half of the EU legislative reforms on renewable energy. Sher said that although Bosnia and Herzegovina has a marriage with coal, it could be “phased out” in the next 50 years if the country more effectively explores renewable energy sources.
Plans to Build Over 180 Solar Power Plants
Signs that this is already happening include the number of wind farms – two have been completed, and four more are planned – which are expected to produce a total of 936.17 GWh when operational. The presence of 390 planned hydroelectric power plants and another 35 under construction – which produce a total of 9,000 GWh – as well as 182 solar power plants is another promising indicator.
Professor Sher said he expects domestic and foreign policymakers to use his research to better understand the renewable energy sector and the potentials the country has.