Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant, but underutilized solar potential, of which about 400 megawatts have been used so far, and the main challenges for further development are problems with connecting to the grid and the lack of incentive measures for citizens.
This was stated in an interview with Fena by Edhem Bičakčić, President of the Southeastern European Regional Council of the International Council for Large Power Systems.
– The use of solar power plants in BiH is from 1,300 to 1,400 hours, which is 20 percent more than the same panel in Germany, so our potential is great. We have protected areas and certain areas where solar panels are not acceptable, but the solar potential is completely unused – said Bičakčić.
He added that a very large number of small solar power plants up to one megawatt have been installed so far, and that a dozen large solar power plants have also been built.
– The potential used so far is 400 megawatts. At the same time, about 3,000 megawatts have been registered, or a large number of potential investors who are waiting to solve the problems of land or connection to both the distribution and transmission networks, which is becoming a limiting factor – said Bičakčić.
Regarding the law that defines the use of solar panels on family houses and buildings, Bičakčić points out that it is not particularly encouraging for investors, given that in BiH the price of electricity for households is still below market value.
– The profitability of these projects is not efficient except for business facilities where there is some production and where so-called industrial electricity is used. Such projects are being built throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Either some incentive measures should be created for construction on family houses or such conditions should be created that these projects can be commercially profitable – emphasized Bičakčić.
Speaking about the share of solar power plants in the total production of electricity in BiH, Bičakčić said that they operate much less than thermal or hydroelectric power plants.
– I mentioned the utilized potential of 400 megawatts, and BiH has over 5,000 megawatts and the share of solar power plants in the total production of electricity by installation is about ten percent, but by production it is less, because solar power plants operate for about 1,400 hours, thermal power plants 6,000, hydroelectric power plants 4,000 hours and so on – said Bičakčić.
He added that by the end of 2025, at least 100 megawatts of new solar power plants are expected to be included.
– These projects are in the final phase, and for further exponential growth in the coming years, the limiting factors will be, as I have already said, connection to the distribution and transmission network. These are problems that need to be solved in order for all of this to grow even faster – said Bičakčić.
One of the electricity traders in an interview for Fena pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a great potential for building solar power plants thanks to its geographical position, and that the area of Herzegovina leads the way with over 1,400 hours of sunshine throughout the year, which ranks it among the sunniest areas in all of Europe.
He added that the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not far behind, and that the number of sunny hours ranges from 1,100 to 1,300 on an annual basis.
When it comes to the installation of solar panels on family houses and buildings, this electrical dealer. energy emphasizes that there is already an opportunity to install solar power plants that would enable the energy independence of households, but that for this type of private investment there are no clear subsidies from the state that would make that investment profitable.
– Currently, work is being done on the implementation of the law on prosumers, where households would have the opportunity to sell or exchange excess energy produced for energy in the period when they need it – he said.
Speaking about the possibilities of further development, he stated that there is still room for growth in solar potential, although the capacities on the distribution networks are largely used or reserved.
– There is also the possibility of building solar power plants for the own needs of industries and companies, where already now, with the recent increases in the price of electricity, these power plants are profitable and their trend in the coming period should be growing – he stated.
