Gas is one of the most important resources for a large part of our country and is an important step for the green transition and pollution reduction. 50 years ago, when Sarajevogas was founded, until today, little has been done for the adequate green integration of BiH. However, the future of the gas industry, as well as the current state of the natural gas market in BiH and the countries of the region, is focused on alternative flows. It is questionable whether our country has adequate infrastructure for a green future?
Switching from solid fuel to natural gas is one of the solutions to the emissions of harmful particles in the air that the citizens of Sarajevo breathe. Since our country is only connected via the TurkStream to the Russian supplier Gazprom, concerns about the lack of this energy source are put on the agenda every year. Experts emphasize the importance of alternative interconnections.
“The new alternative route must be built in such a geostrategic way that it relies on new delivery routes. On LNG routes, on underground storage facilities, and at the same time providing an alternative supply of natural gas to BiH and the city of Sarajevo”, emphasized Zijad Bajramović, professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UNSA.
Adnan Đugum, assistant professor at the Department of Energy, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UNSA, states that the situation is complicated, but that gas is available and that gas has a future in BiH because it is a clean energy source when it comes to fossil fuels: “It is the cleanest fossil fuel. It produces the least CO2 emissions per emission of delivered energy. And to make that future even brighter, we need a new connection, considering that we have one. According to current standards, our security is currently zero”.
Zero security aside – new projects from Sarajevogas have been announced. First, the connection of the gas network ring in the Sarajevo Canton with the extension of the existing networks. However, the biggest concern among citizens is the price of gas, but experts are optimistic
“Analyses say that the price of gas should not increase in the next 6 months. The price of gas that BiH currently has is one of the cheapest in Europe. This is somewhat surprising considering that we do not have such a large infrastructure, consumption or storage. Our price is very competitive,” claims Semir Krehić, Director of the Energy and Gas Sector.
With the establishment of new structures and a favorable price, experts are optimistic about the wider use of natural gas. For BiH, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement for carbon neutrality, green integration will have to be a priority, BHRT writes.
