The Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska Radovan Višković said today that there will be no increase in the price of electricity in 2024, and pointed out the importance of investing in renewable energy sources.
Višković pointed out that there is willingness and interest of investors to produce more than 4,000 megawatt-hours of electricity in the RS through renewable energy sources.
“These are investments worth about seven billion BAM at the moment. We must be aware of the fact that not all projects will be able to be realized, primarily because of the transmission network, i.e. its capacity, which is not able to accept such a quantity of produced energy. That is why it is open and the question of the future work of “Elektroprenos BiH”, explained Višković.
Before the start of the meeting “Banjaluka energy forum – let’s save energy”, Višković pointed out that the process of energy transition has been started in the RS, through the installation of solar panels on households, which is one of the measures to limit electricity prices.
“EU support is welcome and they have always, at least declaratively, supported such things when it comes to renewable energy sources. We also fulfill our obligations from the energy community. I think we are partners here. The area of the Balkans or BiH cannot be isolated in relation to the whole of Europe “, pointed out Višković.
When it comes to the work of “Elektroprenos BiH”, the Prime Minister of RS pointed out that the planning documents for this year have not been adopted yet, which he also said yesterday at the meeting in Sarajevo.
“Yesterday, I repeated that to my colleague Nermin Nikšić and all the partners at the table, that it is high time to seriously discuss some things. The transmission network should be put in a condition to accept as many projects as possible in the field of green energy,” Višković pointed out.
He said that experts, the business community and investors will also be consulted in the coming period when creating legal solutions, and the views from today’s meeting will be taken into account.
“Green energy is something that is an obligation, but it is our desire in the Republic of Srpska to switch from energy that pollutes the environment. Most of the energy in BiH, and with it the Republika Srpska, comes from coal, and it is important for us to switch to alternative ways of producing electricity “, stated Višković.
Answering a journalist’s question about the contract for the separation of coal in Rudnik and the thermal power plant “Gacko”, Višković said that everything was done in accordance with the procedures, that is, according to the law.
“There were also citizen protests due to pollution. Until we build a coal purification plant, we cannot solve that problem. It is about people’s health, and if we go to the procedure of regular public procurement, that work cannot be completed in the next five years. I believe that people’s health comes first and the citizens who live in that area should be respected,” Višković said.
At the opening of the forum, in addition to Prime Minister Višković, RS Minister of Economy and Entrepreneurship Vojin Mitrović and President of the RS Employers’ Union Saša Trivić addressed the audience.
Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić, general director of “Elektroprivreda Republika Srpska” Luka Petrović and numerous businessmen were present.
More than 300 participants are expected at the forum, including regional producers from the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, potential users, i.e. companies, representatives of the Government of the RS, the EU, the banking sector and international organizations.
The gathering is organized by the Union of Employers of the Republika Srpska in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the RS.
