January 28, 2026
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BiH’s electricity imports double to record EUR 321.6 million in 2025

Electricity imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025 reached a record BAM 629 million (EUR 321.6 million), twice as much as the previous year. The surge was due to production halts caused by coal shortages, power plant maintenance, and changes in electricity prices. On the other hand, exports were significantly higher than in 2024, but still well below the record levels seen in previous years.

The exact value of electricity imports into BiH in 2025 was BAM 628,956,500, compared with BAM 312,612,000 in 2024, Capital reported, citing data from the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH.

The largest share of imported electricity in 2025 came from Croatia (BAM 267 million) and Slovenia (BAM 108 million), followed by Albania (BAM 89 million) and Serbia (BAM 86.7 million). 

The largest share of imported electricity in 2025 came from Croatia

In previous years, electricity imports fluctuated but remained significantly lower than in 2025, amounting to BAM 215.9 million in 2023, BAM 393.5 million in 2022, BAM 218.8 million in 2021, and just BAM 96.3 million in 2020.

In May and June 2025, two thermal power plants, which together produce 65% of electricity in the Republic of Srpska, one of the two political entities of BiH, were offline simultaneously for about 10 days during maintenance. Due to the overlapping overhauls of the two facilities, Ugljevik and Gacko, state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) was forced to import large quantities of electricity, Capital noted.

The planned annual overhaul at Ugljevik was carried out from April 21 to June 5, lasting 45 days, while the major, five-year overhaul at Gacko took 70 days, from May 24 to August 2.

Both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are struggling with coal shortages

In addition, Ugljevik halted production several times last year due to a lack of coal.

Coal shortages, coupled with outdated thermal power plants, are also a problem in the other BiH entity, the Federation of BiH, where electricity production has decreased by almost a quarter over the past four years, Capital recalled.

Electricity exports also rose, but 2022 and 2023 remain record years

When it comes to exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina sold electricity worth BAM 868.8 million in 2025, compared with BAM 669.8 million the previous year.

In 2022 and 2023, the country posted record electricity exports, over BAM 1 billion each. In 2022, the value of exports was 1.056 billion, and the following year, BAM 1.075 billion.

January 5, 2026
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EPS plans to build solar power plant on TENT A ash dump

Serbia’s state power utility, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), has invited bids for producing a preliminary feasibility study and conceptual design for a solar power plant on the ash disposal site of the Nikola Tesla A (TENT A) thermal power plant in Obrenovac.

The study should assess the feasibility and viability of the project, as well as the total solar potential of the site. The estimated value of the contract is RSD 14.91 million, and the deadline to submit bids is 23 January 2026.

The document must clearly define the proposed capacity of the planned solar power plant, the grid connection method, and the expected operating regime, according to the public call.

The capacity of the future solar power plant will be determined by the study

The project aims to expand EPS’ renewable energy capacities, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and remediate the ash disposal site.

In July, EPS connected to the grid its first larger photovoltaic facility, the 10 MW Petka solar power plant. The plant is located in the Kostolac coal mining complex east of Belgrade, next to a 66 MW wind farm, which was put into trial operation in late November.

The design of the planned solar power plant at the TENT A ash disposal site should allow for integration with TENT’s existing safety and SCADA systems, while energy stability should be ensured through backup power sources, including solar panels with battery storage and/or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system.

The project should envisage battery energy storage

The photovoltaic panels should have a minimum power of 600 Wp, a minimum efficiency of 24%, and guaranteed production over 30 years of operation, while the efficiency of the inverters must be around 98% by European standards.

The part of the TENT A ash disposal site allocated for the solar power plant is slated for closure, and its usable area is about 67.2 hectares. The exact usable area will be determined following the completion of the study.

The selected bidder will be required to complete the task within six months of receiving all necessary documentation from EPS.

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January 4, 2026
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EPS plans to build solar power plant on TENT A ash dump

Serbia’s state power utility, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), has invited bids for producing a preliminary feasibility study and a conceptual design for a solar power plant on the ash disposal site of the Nikola Tesla A (TENT A) thermal power plant in Obrenovac.

The study should assess the feasibility and viability of the project, as well as the total solar potential of the site. The estimated value of the contract is RSD 14.91 million, and the deadline to submit bids is 23 January 2026.

The document must clearly define the proposed capacity of the planned solar power plant, the grid connection method, and the expected operating regime, according to the public call.

The capacity of the future solar power plant will be determined by the study

The project aims to expand EPS’ renewable energy capacities, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and remediate the ash disposal site.

In July, EPS connected to the grid its first larger photovoltaic facility, the 10 MW Petka solar power plant. The plant is located in the Kostolac coal mining complex east of Belgrade, next to a 66 MW wind farm, which was put into trial operation in late November.

The design of the planned solar power plant at the TENT A ash disposal site should allow for integration with TENT’s existing safety and SCADA systems, while energy stability should be ensured through backup power sources, including solar panels with battery storage and/or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system.

The project should envisage battery energy storage

The photovoltaic panels should have a minimum power of 600 Wp, a minimum efficiency of 24%, and guaranteed production over 30 years of operation, while the efficiency of the inverters must be around 98% by European standards.

The part of the TENT A ash disposal site allocated for the solar power plant is slated for closure, and its usable area is about 67.2 hectares. The exact usable area will be determined following the completion of the study.

The selected bidder will be required to complete the task within six months of receiving all necessary documentation from EPS.

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December 8, 2025
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Coal plant Kakanj in BiH halts electricity production amid record air pollution

Due to record air pollution levels in recent days, the Municipality of Kakanj requested that the local coal-fired power plant’s activity be reduced to supplying thermal energy for district heating only. The thermal power plant says it has already done so.

After “unprecedented” amounts of pollutants were measured in Kakanj, Mayor Mirnes Bajtarević asked the management of the Kakanj thermal power plant and state power utility Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH), as well as Federation of BiH Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder, to ensure that the operation of the power plant is urgently reduced to a minimum, only for the needs of the district heating system in Kakanj.

The power plant said that since Sunday, the only block in operation has been Unit 6, which supplies thermal energy for district heating in Kakanj, news portal Akta reported.

Kakanj, the second-largest electricity producer in the EPBiH portfolio, has three operational units with a total capacity of 450 MW. Unit 6 has a capacity of 110 MW.

The municipal authorities said in the statement that, if necessary, it would invite residents to protest in front of the thermal power plant, which is seen as the main culprit for the alarming air pollution levels in recent months.

The local cement plant is urged to stop using alternative fuels

According to BiH media reports, recent sulfur dioxide (SO₂) levels in Kakanj have exceeded all permitted limits, posing an immediate threat to public health.

The municipality also issued a fresh request to the FBiH inspection body to inspect the operation of the thermal power plant, as well as Heidelberg Materials Cement, which has been asked to stop using alternative fuels.

The municipality will also demand a report on the desulfurization project at Kakanj

The municipality said it would demand that the thermal power plant provide a report on the progress and timeline of works on the ongoing desulfurization project, including the expected completion date.

EPBiH is implementing the desulfurization project at units 6 and 7 at Kakanj, hoping to reduce SO2 emissions by about 98.5%. SO2 emissions will be reduced to below 150 mg/Nm3, or nearly 60 times lower than current levels, EPBiH said in October.

Last year, the company was the largest power producer in BiH. Kakanj generated 1,431 GWh or 27% of EPBiH’s output.

One of the largest SO2 emitters in the region

Three years ago, the Energy Community Secretariat opened a case against Bosnia and Herzegovina for failing to shut down two units at the Kakanj and Tuzla thermal power plants despite the expiry of the 20,000 operating hours permitted after January 1, 2018, under the opt-out mechanism.

Kakanj was also mentioned in Bankwatch’s annual Comply or Close report, published in June this year.

According to the report, six power generation units in the Western Balkans exceeded their individual ceilings for SO2 emissions by more than ten times – Ugljevik, Gacko, Tuzla 6 and Kakanj 7 in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kostolac A2 in Serbia; and Bitola B1 and B2 in North Macedonia.

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October 30, 2025
by in News

Bulgaria’s coal regions to get further EUR 808 million for just transition

Bulgaria’s coal regions will receive BGN 1.58 billion (EUR 808 million) through the Just Transition program, under the European Union’s Just Transition Fund (JTF), for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green hydrogen projects, as well as for converting mining areas for commercial use.

With a EUR 598 million program already underway, total investments in the economic transformation during and after the country’s coal phaseout would reach EUR 1.38 billion. They cover coal regions Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, and Pernik and the municipalities of Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Elhovo, Sliven and Tundzha.

Grants from the JTF are intended to help coal regions shut down mines and coal-fired power plants, rehabilitate land, switch to a circular and climate-neutral economy, and lift households out of energy poverty.

By the end of the year, the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works will launch three new procedures for the allocation of grants, according to Deputy Minister Yura Vitanova.

One, worth EUR 153.4 million, will focus on energy communities and energy efficiency in public buildings. Another, worth EUR 72.6 million, will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) install solar panels and energy storage systems for both self-consumption and commercial use.

A third call, with a budget of EUR 242.9 million, will support the socio-economic transformation, including projects to convert mining areas into business and industrial zones.

Green hydrogen projects will be backed with EUR 134.5 million

Additionally, EUR 134.5 million will be used to fund the development of hydrogen production and transportation infrastructure in Stara Zagora. It includes the construction of a green hydrogen production complex and hydrogen charging stations, the procurement of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen trailers, and the construction of supporting infrastructure, including photovoltaic systems and energy storage facilities.

The current JTF program in Bulgaria’s coal regions focuses on renovating residential buildings, supporting SMEs, and developing industrial and logistics parks. It also funds training and retraining programs for workers affected by the energy transition, as well as production investments in large enterprises.

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September 2, 2025
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Climate won’t suffer if Romanian coal power plants keep running – energy minister

The Romanian government is in talks on postponing the coal power plant closures envisaged under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), according to Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan. The current deadline for decommissioning these plants is the end of 2025, but Romania is hoping to push it back to 2030.

Ivan noted that Romania’s gas and coal power generation has dropped by 56% over the past decade, with around 7,000 MW of capacity closed and only 1,200 MW replaced.

“Now I am convinced that the world’s climate will not suffer so much if Romania continues to keep its coal-fired power plants in the Jiu Valley,” the minister said, according to Profit.ro.

Ivan: Keeping the Jiu Valley coal power plants operational will not hurt the global climate

He also stressed that Romania has pursued the most aggressive decarbonization policy in the European Union, choosing 2025 as a deadline to eliminate coal-fired electricity generation, compared to Poland or Germany, which intend to use coal until 2040–2050.

Ivan explained that wind and solar capacity in Romania has been growing, but that the country needs more battery storage to better utilize its output.

Romania needs more battery storage for the growing wind and solar capacities

Romania’s former energy minister, Sebastian Burduja, said earlier this year that the country intended to extend the operation of coal-fired power plants because there was no other option to ensure energy security and replace existing capacities.

He said in January that the operating period of coal-fired power plants was expected to be extended by three years.

According to earlier reports, Romania intends to stop coal mining by 2032 at the latest, while replacing conventional power plants in the meantime. Romania’s largest producer of coal-based electricity is state-owned power utility CE Oltenia, based in Târgu Jiu. It is also the country’s third-largest producer of electricity.

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August 27, 2025
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CE Oltenia to set up subsidiary to take over coal power plants slated for closure

Romanian state-controlled coal power utility Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) is preparing to establish a subsidiary to take over its lignite-fired thermal power plants slated for closure and the coal mining operations that supply them.

CE Oltenia’s “lignite subsidiary” is envisaged under a restructuring and decarbonization plan approved by the European Commission, according to Profit.ro.

The subsidiary will incorporate and operate the existing lignite-based power generation units and related assets that are not planned to switch to natural gas or renewable energy sources, according to the European Commission’s decision from 2022 approving state aid for CE Oltenia’s restructuring.

The state aid Romania planned to grant CE Oltenia amounted to EUR 2.66 billion.

The subsidiary will operate coal-fired plants that are not planned to switch to gas or renewables

CE Oltenia’s decision to start the separation of lignite-related activities into a separate subsidiary was adopted as early as 2023, but nothing has been done since then.

Now, the company has launched a procedure to select a consultant and intends to award a contract by winter, with a deadline of about six months for the delivery of services.

The new firm is to be created before the end of CE Oltenia’s restructuring period, i.e. before the end of 2026, according to the commission’s decision. It further states that the lignite capacities in question should decrease over time and eventually be phased out, in accordance with the national coal phase-out timetable.

CE Oltenia is building 550 MW of solar power plants at former coal mines

Earlier this year, a joint venture between CE Oltenia and oil and gas company OMV Petrom signed an agreement with contractors to design and install four solar power plants at former coal mines, with a combined capacity of about 550 MW.

According to Profit.ro, Romanian Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said last month that Romania was in talks with Brussels on a 5-year postponement of the deadline for closing lignite-fired power plants, envisaged by the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

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July 6, 2025
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Slovenia’s sole coal-fired power plant Šoštanj to keep main unit offline until fall

As of this year, Slovenia’s only coal-fired power plant, Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ), has shifted its primary focus to supplying heat, with electricity now sold as a byproduct. The ongoing overhaul of its unit 6 is expected to be completed in the coming days, but the 600 MW block will not be restarted until the end of September, when demand for heat is set to rise.

As part of the coal-phaseout process, targeted for completion in 2033, the Government of Slovenia decided last year to set aside EUR 403 million to save TEŠ and coal mine Velenje from bankruptcy and take over both from state-owned power utility Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE).

TEŠ hopes the fall months will drive revenues

TEŠ hopes that the fall months will enable it to meet this year’s revenue target, as the operation of unit 6 is unprofitable in the summer due to low market prices for electricity and reduced demand for heat. This year, the power plant aims to earn EUR 400 million from the sale of heat and electricity.

Apart from unit 6, TEŠ operates only one other coal-fired generator, unit 5, with a capacity of 345 MW, while its first four blocks have been shut down.

The changed circumstances have been challenging for TEŠ, according to its CEO, Branko Debeljak. As HSE no longer sells TEŠ’s electricity, the plant had to set up its own sales department and seek customers on the market. Even so, the first four months of 2025 were quite successful when it comes to electricity sales, says Debeljak. The plant sold 1,045 GWh of electricity, generating revenues of EUR 138 million, or EUR 29 million more than initially planned, according to him.

The overhaul of unit 6 began in April

The overhaul of unit 6 began on April 22 and was expected to be completed by June 20. However, due to delays in the delivery of components, it had to be extended until early July. The completion of the overhaul will be followed by a short trial run, and a restart is planned at the end of September when the need for heat supply is set to rise again.

Slovenia aims at a 55% drop in emissions by 2033, and an early closure of its only coal-fired plant could help achieve that target. It seems likely that TEŠ will be shut down within a few years or operate at minimum capacity.

In June, Ireland’s Moneypoint power plant stopped burning coal, marking the end of coal use in the country. Slovakia and Spain officially intend to exit coal in 2025, followed by Greece (2026), France and Hungary (2027), and Denmark and Italy (2028). However, the dates could be pushed forward, and more countries could join the group in the meantime.

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June 24, 2025
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Coal power plant Maritsa East 3 plans to build solar plant, 200 MW battery system

Coal-fired power plant ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3, which operates only sporadically to ensure the stability of supply for Bulgaria’s power system, plans to repurpose the grid infrastructure of its units 1 and 2 for solar and battery storage capacities. Units 3 and 4 will remain on standby to generate electricity during peak demand periods in the summer and winter months, but the plant will need state support to cover maintenance and workforce costs.

Maritsa East 3 (Maritsa iztok 3), majority owned by the US-based ContourGlobal, plans to use the existing grid infrastructure, including transformers and switchgear, to speed up the green energy project within the complex, according to Vassil Shtonov, Executive Director of ContourGlobal Bulgaria.

The central element is a 200 MW standalone battery energy storage system (BESS), the largest of its kind in Bulgaria, which would improve the flexibility and stability of the national power system, Shtonov explained in an interview with Capital.bg.

The project involves a 200 MW standalone battery system and a solar power plant

The planned battery system at Maritsa East 3 was among 82 projects selected to receive a total of EUR 587 million in subsidies from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Energy in April this year.

“In parallel, we are considering the development of an additional hybrid solar park with a battery at the same site,” he said. This will allow for faster deployment of new clean energy capacity, while preserving all options for future use of the coal-fired plant and its original infrastructure, Shtonov added.

ContourGlobal plans to build 400MW to 500 MW of renewable energy capacity combined with batteries

ContourGlobal plans to invest hundreds of millions of euros to develop 400 MW to 500 MW of renewable energy capacity combined with storage systems, he said, adding that nearly half of this target is under construction or final approval. The company’s goal is to phase out coal by 2027 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, he stressed, recalling that Bulgaria’s targeted coal phaseout date is 2038.

Keeping coal plants on standby requires state support

Bulgaria’s state-owned National Electricity Co. (NEK) holds a minority stake in Maritsa East 3. After the plant’s 15-year power purchase contract with NEK expired in February 2024, it has only been able to operate on the free market for a few months a year. This year, units 3 and 4 were online from January to the end of March to maintain energy security.

Shtonov: Key coal-fired power plants should get a fixed amount from the state

However, to be on standby for system security, the plant needs to keep workers on the payroll even when it is not operating. For this reason, strategically important coal-fired power plants should receive a fixed amount from the state to cover ongoing personnel and maintenance costs, and then be switched on when necessary to protect consumers from sharp increases in electricity prices, as happened last year in July and November, according to Shtonov.

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