The event brought together representatives of the Energy Regulatory Commission in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry, the Federal Ministry of Spatial Planning, JP Elektroprivreda HZHB d.d. Mostar, JP Elektroprivreda BiH d.d. Sarajevo, representatives of cantonal ministries responsible for construction and spatial planning from the Zenica-Doboj, Posavina, Central Bosnia, Herzegovina-Neretva, West Herzegovina, Canton 10, and Una-Sana cantons, as well as representatives of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and international organizations such as USAID EPA 2 and GIZ.
The round table was held to fulfill obligations stemming from Article 51, Paragraph (2) of the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration (“Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH,” No. 82/23), specifically regarding the simplification of procedures for obtaining permits for prosumers by cantonal authorities.
Armin Đuliman, a technical associate for mechanical phase and research and development at the OIEiEK Operator, presented the role of prosumer facilities in the energy transition, emphasizing the benefits for both citizens and businesses investing in these facilities. The presentation included an overview of EU regulations and examples of best practices from the European Union and the region.
Particular attention was given to the experiences of certain cantons in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina that have already adopted simplified procedures for constructing rooftop solar power plants, which can now be registered as prosumer facilities under the new legal framework. Aida Sumbuljević, Assistant Minister for Spatial Planning and Construction in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, also addressed this topic.
During the open discussion, representatives of cantonal ministries explained the current situation and outlined the steps taken to meet legal obligations, expressing full readiness to simplify procedures for obtaining permits for prosumers.
Speaking about the obligation and importance of promoting prosumer facilities and informing the public about the benefits of investing in their construction, OIEiEK Operator spokesperson Nataša Mandrapa informed attendees that the Operator has adopted a Public Information Program. She announced that promotional activities would continue to ensure that all information about construction and co-financing benefits of prosumer facilities is promptly made available to all interested parties in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It should be noted that on October 2, the OIEiEK Operator held a joint meeting with representatives of the Energy Regulatory Commission in the Federation of BiH, the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry, and power companies in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet obligations related to simplifying the connection procedures for prosumers.
At the round table, representatives of JP EP HZHB d.d. Mostar, Maria Đogić, and JP EP BiH d.d. Sarajevo, Džemo Borovina, provided updates on the progress made in preparing the necessary secondary legislation, which incorporates simplified approaches for connecting rooftop prosumer facilities. They noted that these measures would take effect once cantonal ministries complete their tasks. Additionally, they highlighted an agreement between the two power companies to jointly approach the Indirect Taxation Authority to resolve the remaining uncertainties related to calculating excess electricity generated and fed into the grid by prosumer facilities, through amendments to the VAT Law Implementation Rulebook in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The round table participants expressed a shared commitment to further collaboration in fulfilling obligations to simplify the construction and connection procedures for prosumer facilities and promoting renewable energy sources. Particular support for these efforts was expressed by Mak Kamenica, Director of USAID’s Energy Sector Assistance Project 2 (USAID EPA 2) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The purpose of this project is to provide technical assistance for developing a sustainable energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.