Increasing public awareness on possibilities of organizing in the Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in BiH
This project aims to raise awareness and increase the knowledge about the concept of Renewable Energy Community or RECs of citizens, representatives of local communities and chambers of commerce in targeted areas (Banja Luka, Bijeljina and Sarajevo), in order to be included in the process of implementation measures and potentially initiative amendments to the current legislation in the field of renewable energy. The project will serve as a starting point for overall functioning of the RECs in BiH, their sustainability and their positive usage in the context of fulfilling requirements on prospective accession to the EU.
Two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use, making energy the natural starting point for increasing our efforts to mitigate climate change. An effective energy transition requires active citizen engagement, and renewable energy communities (RECs) can play a key role in putting citizens at the center.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, coal is the most used source of electricity production. In 2021, over two-thirds of total electricity generation was sourced from fossil fuels. The transition of the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complex issue and a great challenge that is also an exceptional opportunity for economic development. The energy transition will require significant investments in low-carbon technologies and infrastructure. Attracting investors to finance low-carbon projects is a key challenge and this project will present RECs as one of the possible solutions for such projects.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has expressed its clear position to follow EU trends, through the Energy Community Treaty and other agreements it has signed in the past, by which it expressed its strong commitment to align with the European Union’s ambitious goals of energy transition and climate neutrality by 2050. The Energy Community Ministerial Council on 30 November 2021 adopted the Clean Energy for all Europeans Package. The package among others covers legislation on renewable energy sources, i.e., the Recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), to enter into force in the period of one year. RED II directive introduces the new prosumer concept, a legal entity of the Renewable Energy Community (REC). The competent institutions of the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina are actively working on the harmonization of local legislation with the EU acquis in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Community Treaty. In this regard, in Republika Srpska a new Law on renewable sources was adopted in February 2022, which for the first time recognized the REC concept. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District adoption of new Laws on renewable energy sources that introduce RECs as well are in the final stages and are expected to be adopted in the following months. After the adoption of the primary legislative framework, the development, and adoption of the second framework that will allow full implementation of the laws will be done as well.
Through this project, we intend to raise awareness of the target group about the concept of RECs, i.e. increase the knowledge of citizens, representatives of local communities, and chambers of commerce in the targeted area (Banja Luka, Bijeljina, and Sarajevo), to be included in the process of implementation measures and potentially initiative amendments to the current legislation in the field of renewable energy. The project will serve as a good starting point for the overall functioning of the RECs in BiH, their sustainability and their positive usage in the context of fulfilling requirements on prospective accession to the EU.
The project will cover the period of 5 months (July – November 2022), during which 2 meetings with associations of cities and municipalities in FBiH and RS and 2 meetings with chambers of commerce in FBiH and RS will be organized. Participants will be informed on the main elements of integration of RECs into the legal and technical framework of BiH, with emphasis on potentials and challenges. Following the meetings with the Chambers of commerce, an informative e-mail with promo material and information of the project will be distributed to private companies which are members of Chambers, to widen the reach of the project message. Parallel to these, 3 info days will be organized in 3 cities in BiH, with the purpose of informing citizens of the possibilities in organizing in RECs.
Project Objectives
To support the implementation of strategic and legal framework by promoting wider knowledge of de-carbonation of the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The project strives to improve, support and add value and relevance to the process of de-carbonation of the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. BiH, as a potential candidate for EU membership, has committed itself to meet the objectives of the EU-BiH Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), signed in June 2008, which entered into force in 2015. In accordance with Article 107 (Energy) of the SAA, BiH will focus its cooperation on priority areas related to the EU acquis in the field of energy, based on the Energy Community Treaty, and will develop with the aim of gradual integration of BiH into the European energy market, which is developing in a way to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Increased awareness of the citizens, local communities, and private sector in the targeted area about Renewable Energy Communities
Furthermore, by conducting prospective activities, the project aims at improving the renewable energy sector as its central objective. This project has an objective to increase the understanding of the issue for the proper introduction of Renewable Energy Communities. The project will serve as a good starting point for the overall functioning of the RECs in BiH, their sustainability, and their positive usage in the context of fulfilling requirements on prospective accession to the EU. The planned activities also aim at raising awareness and shedding light on new possibilities of energy production, i.e. self-production of renewable energy.
For more information please contact Project Officer Kerim Hodžić at k.hodzic@humanityinaction.org
efforts to mitigate climate change. An effective energy transition requires active citizen engagement, and renewable energy communities (RECs) can play a key role in putting citizens at the center.
