“Framework, Benefits and Costs of Renewable Energy Resources in the Western Balkans“

Deputy Minister Ermina Salkicevic – Dizdarevic attended the conference titled “Framework, Benefits and Costs of Renewable Energy Resources in the Western Balkans“, held on the premises of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Joint Commission for Economic Reforms and Development of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In her plenary presentation Mrs. Ermina Salkicevic-Dizdarevic, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina dealt with the topic "Impact of renewable energy sources on the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina". She noted that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the energy sector and hence renewable energy sources are considered the greatest long-term development potential. In addition, she underlined that BiH is rich in natural water resources and the only net exporter of electricity in the Western Balkans. Based on data from the Study of the Energy Sector in BiH the production capacity of existing hydro power plants accounts for only 37% of the total economically feasible potential. Of course, as she said, BiH has great potential when it comes to other renewable energy sources, especially biomass, then wind and solar energy. Bearing in mind the steady upward trend in energy consumption that neighboring countries are failing to meet from their resources on one hand, and the enormous potential that Bosnia and Herzegovina has in clean, renewable energy, on the other hand, it is clear that BiH economy can have enormous benefits from their exploitation. Mrs. Ermina Salkicevic - Dizdarevic promised that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH would give full support to the implementation of projects in this area and said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the very beginning when it comes to renewable energy and that with such an approach which includes all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with active participation in the implementation of international obligations, primarily those undertaken by ratifying the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community, and by harmonization of legislation in the field of renewable energy with EU legislation and the implementation of pilot projects funded by international donors, Bosnia and Herzegovina is on track to fully exploit the huge potential that it has when it comes to renewable energy. This will attract foreign investment, help achieve long-term development of BiH economy, stimulate employment and acquisition of new knowledge and technologies, and also provide safe and reliable energy supply. She also emphasized that in the future the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations would, in accordance with its responsibilities, provide full support in further improving this area, which is of strategic interest for our country.

Her Excellency Ulrike Maria Knotz, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the important guests, panelists, as well as parliamentarians and businessmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina.