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Okrugli stol u Mostaru: Prosumerska postrojenja imaju ključnu ulogu u provođenju energetske tranzicije

Events

Round Table in Mostar: Prosumer Facilities Play a Key Role in Implementing the Energy Transition

27. 01. 2025. admin

The Renewable Energy and Efficient Cogeneration Operator (OIEiEK Operator) organized a round table yesterday in Mostar on the topic: “Harmonization of Existing and New Regulations to Simplify Procedures for Obtaining Permits for Prosumers.”

Source: OIEiEK

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.

A father holding his son and a mother holding her daughter, all smiling while holding a model of a house with solar panels on the roof.

News

Results of the Survey on the Interest of Citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Potential Investments in the Construction of Solar Power Plants – Prosumers

27. 01. 2025. admin

Between September 4 and December 31, 2023, the Renewable Energy and Efficient Cogeneration Operator (OIEiEK Operator) conducted a survey to assess the interest of citizens in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in potential investments in the construction of solar power plants – prosumers. A total of 494 respondents participated in the survey by completing an online questionnaire on the OIEiEK Operator’s website. The report on the research results is available on the Operator’s website (www.oieiek.ba).

Source: OIEiEK

This survey aimed to collect data on the interest in investments in the construction of solar power plants and gather opinions on one-time financial support for building solar power plants – prosumers, which is a new responsibility of the OIEiEK Operator under the new Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration.

The results of the survey show that the interest of citizens in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in constructing solar power plants – prosumers is high, with 97.3% of respondents expressing interest in building such energy facilities. According to the respondents, the greatest interest in constructing these facilities was expressed in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (19.8%), followed by Sarajevo Canton (19.6%), and Zenica-Doboj Canton (16.1%).

With the new Law on Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration granting the OIEiEK Operator the authority to implement one-time co-financing for the construction of prosumer facilities in the household category, citizens’ opinions on this type of co-financing were of great importance to the Operator.

The survey found that 99% of respondents would be motivated to build a solar power plant – prosumer if they were provided with one-time financial support in the form of a subsidy covering a percentage of the investment value. According to respondents, a subsidy covering an average of 50% of the total investment value would suffice to encourage them to undertake such projects.

The procedure for one-time co-financing of the construction of prosumer facilities in the household category will be regulated by a program to be adopted by the OIEiEK Operator, with prior approval from the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This program will define the allocation of one-time financial support, the social aspects of co-financing, the level of support, criteria for eligibility, and provisions for fair regional participation. The results of this survey will be used, among other things, to create a more equitable percentage of one-time co-financing.

Respondents identified the lack of financial resources, unclear and complicated permitting procedures, and lengthy processing times by relevant institutions as the main barriers to investing in the construction of solar power plants – prosumers. Additionally, they highlighted a lack of information about the procedures and the benefits of investing in such energy facilities.

Recognizing its responsibility in the renewable energy market, the OIEiEK Operator has included activities in its 2024 Work Plan to conduct educational workshops, organize meetings with representatives of cantonal ministries, local communities, and the media, and launch a public information campaign about the benefits of investing in the construction of solar power plants – prosumers.

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with the OIEiEK Operator, aims to encourage the construction of as many solar power plants – prosumers as possible, particularly in the household category, to reduce citizens’ energy dependence. The public information campaign will focus particularly on the cantons where the survey results indicate the lowest interest in investments in such energy facilities.

To simplify the permitting procedures for investing in solar power plants, the OIEiEK Operator has already initiated plans for joint meetings with representatives of cantonal ministries and other relevant institutions to discuss adapting construction-related regulations. The Operator will organize these meetings to ensure uniform procedures and simplified permit processes across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This includes aligning the procedures arising from cantonal construction laws for building solar power plants on residential properties.

Report on the Research Results of the Renewable Energy and Efficient Cogeneration Operator on the Interest of Citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Potential Investments in the Construction of Solar Power Plants – Prosumers

News

The adopted bylaws are of key importance for the development of OIE and encouraging the democratization of the energy sector.

23. 12. 2024. admin

The Operator for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration (OIEiEK) reports that all obligations arising from the conclusions of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been fulfilled.

Source: Dnevni avaz

To enable faster development of renewable energy sources in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and promote the democratization of the energy sector, OIEiEK conducted activities in 2024 to draft by-laws in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration (“Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH”, No. 82/23).

Kako su priopćili iz Operatora za OIEiEK usvojen je Pravilnik o garancijama porijekla, uz saglasnost Federalnog ministarstva energije, rudarstva i industrije usvojen je i Pravilnik o aukcijama, dok je u formi prijedloga Program o sufinansiranju prosumera iz kategorije domaćinstva upućen na prethodnu saglasnost Vladi Federacije BiH. Također, usvojen je i Program informisanja javnosti o provedbi postupka sufinansiranja prosumera iz kategorije domaćinstva. Uputstvo o radu Balanse grupe je u formi nacrta, kao i standardni modeli predugovora i ugovora, dok su nacrti ugovora o uređenju međusobnih odnosa sa snabdjevačima trenutno predmet usaglašavanja s predstavnicima elektroprivrednih poduzeća.

Ističući Pravilnik o garancijama porijekla, iz Operatora za OIEiEK navode, da je ovaj Pravilnik stupio na snagu, no kako će primjena istog početi od prvog dana funkcionalne uspostave softverskog rješenja za izdavanje, prenos, i poništenje garancija porijekla (e-PLatforma), kojom će upravljati Operator za OIEiEK.

As announced by the Operator for OIEiEK, the Rulebook on Guarantees of Origin was adopted, and with the consent of the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry, the Rulebook on Auctions was also adopted. A draft Program for Co-financing Prosumers in the Household Category has been submitted for prior approval by the Government of the Federation of BiH. Additionally, a Public Information Program regarding the implementation of the co-financing process for household prosumers has been adopted. The Guidelines on the Operation of the Balance Group are in draft form, as are standard pre-contract and contract models, while draft agreements on regulating mutual relations with suppliers are currently under negotiation with representatives of power utility companies.

Highlighting the Rulebook on Guarantees of Origin, the Operator for OIEiEK stated that this Rulebook has entered into force, but its application will commence on the first day of the functional implementation of a software solution for issuing, transferring, and canceling guarantees of origin (e-Platform), managed by the Operator for OIEiEK.

Following the entry into force of the new Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration and based on the Conclusion of the Government of the Federation of BiH, the Operator for OIEiEK initiated a public procurement process in November 2023 for the use of an electronic platform— a Register for issuing, transferring, and canceling guarantees of origin for the territory of the Federation of BiH, as well as within the Regional Guarantees of Origin System. Since the invited bidder did not submit their final offer within the stipulated deadline, this procurement did not result in a contract signing and was therefore annulled.

During the negotiation process for this public procurement, the Operator for OIEiEK received qualification documentation from only one candidate who, in their initial offer, requested negotiations on the terms of liability in the final contract. The Operator for OIEiEK held these negotiations in April 2024. After the negotiations, the Operator invited the bidder to submit a final offer in the next phase of the process, but the bidder failed to deliver it within the deadline. Consequently, in November of this year, a decision was made to annul the public procurement process, the Operator for OIEiEK explained.

The Operator for OIEiEK has already initiated activities to conduct a new public procurement process for the use of the mentioned Register. The Operator hopes the new process will successfully conclude with the signing of a contract, enabling the implementation of the new Rulebook on Guarantees of Origin.

Commenting on the implementation of the Rulebook on Auctions and the first FIT and FIP auctions, the Operator for OIEiEK announced that, in accordance with the Regulation on Quotas for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration, the first FIT auction and the first FIP auction for solar energy as the primary source will be conducted in 2025.

The Operator for OIEiEK’s operations in 2024 were also marked by numerous working meetings and expert gatherings with key collaborators to simplify procedures for the construction and connection of prosumers.

“We are carrying out activities within our jurisdiction to influence decision-makers in simplifying both construction and connection procedures for prosumers. It is evident that there are certain obstacles to the realization of connection procedures imposed by power utility companies. However, it is encouraging that these companies are jointly working towards relevant institutions to overcome these obstacles,” stated the Operator for OIEiEK.

The Operator for OIEiEK’s goal for 2025 is to influence decision-makers in municipalities and cities in the Federation of BiH through the implementation of the Program for Co-financing Household Prosumers and the promotion of prosumer plants, emphasizing the need to plan budget allocations for co-financing the construction of prosumer plants.

“By simplifying the procedures for building and connecting prosumer plants and co-financing their construction, the Federation of BiH will ensure a secure electricity supply for its citizens. Additionally, it will ensure that electricity produced by prosumer plants is consumed at its production site, within the Federation of BiH,” the Operator for OIEiEK stated.

Regarding the fulfillment of obligations arising from the conclusions of the Government of the Federation of BiH, the Operator for OIEiEK reported that all obligations have been fulfilled except for the procurement process for the mentioned software for guarantees of origin, which is still ongoing.

Responding to recommendations issued by the Audit Office of Institutions in the Federation of BiH based on their 2022 audit of the Operator for OIEiEK, the Operator regularly updates its Action Plan for implementing the recommendations.

“Out of a total of 18 issued recommendations, 12 have been successfully implemented, while four are in progress. Two recommendations are not applicable as they pertain to a law that has been repealed. The four recommendations in progress involve drafting or improving internal regulations, which the Operator for OIEiEK is currently undertaking. We anticipate that these four recommendations will be fully implemented during 2025,” the Operator for OIEiEK concluded.