The United States is committed to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina build a reliable and diverse energy future, including the Southern Interconnection pipeline project, said Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina John Ginkel at the IGES2026 conference in Sarajevo.
Speaking about energy security and the partnership between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ginkel stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has all the conditions for a bright future, with reliable, safe and affordable energy.
“Our mission is clear, energy security improves lives and strengthens the relationship between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
Ginkel recalled that last month, at the Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, a joint statement of intent was signed between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the US, which supports the construction of the Southern Interconnection.
“This is not just a gas pipeline, but a path to energy diversification and ending dependence on suppliers who use energy as a weapon,” he emphasized.
He added that American companies have the resources and experience to ensure reliable energy supplies, which is key to attracting investment and long-term economic growth.
Speaking about the broader energy portfolio, Ginkel emphasized that energy security does not only include gas, but also nuclear energy, hydrocarbons and renewables. He recalled that the United States is going through a golden age of nuclear innovation and is developing safe modular reactors, which could open a new chapter in US-European cooperation.
BiH, he said, has significant untapped capacities in hydropower, while it is completely dependent on imported petroleum products.
“We encourage BiH to remove the ten percent import tariff that prevents the competitiveness of US petroleum products and increases the country’s vulnerability to supply disruptions,” said Ginkel.
He added that renewables remain important, but that a one-sided focus on them over the past decade has shown that it is not enough to ensure productivity and competitiveness.
According to him, the future of BiH depends on building an appropriate energy infrastructure and regulatory reforms that will enable investment and modernization.
“The Southern Interconnection is a start, but more is needed, from resolving state property issues to investing in gas distribution and strengthening partnerships between American and local companies,” he said.
The US, he added, supports these efforts through diplomatic engagements, technical assistance, financing through institutions such as the American International Development Finance Corporation, and the expertise of American companies willing to invest in the region.
“The future of BiH can be bright, but it is impossible without cheap, reliable and secure energy. More American companies in BiH mean greater reliability, better technology, greater investments and stronger bilateral ties,” concluded Ginkel, saying that energy security not only improves the lives of citizens, but also strengthens relations between the US and BiH, Fena writes.
