May 26, 2025
by in News

BEF 2025: Technologies for energy transition are here, getting cheaper every day

Technologies for the energy transition already exist, and their use is increasing thanks to falling costs. Investors and bankers claim they are ready to invest and that money isn’t an issue. The missing part are upgraded transmission grids, along with policies and regulations to integrate everything into a suitable environment, according to investors and lenders gathered at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025.

The third Belgrade Energy Forum, BEF 2025, welcomed four hundred participants from more than 30 countries from the region, Europe, and beyond. The two-day conference was organized by Balkan Green Energy News.

Participants in the panel Energy revolution underway – uniting efforts to deliver green, intelligent, and sustainable energy solutions were Maja Turković, Senior Vice President of CWP Europe, Aleš Prešern, Vice President and Head of Southeast Europe of Siemens Energy, and Christian Beynio, Head of Advisory of Kommunalkredit Austria AG.

According to panel moderator Mirza Kušljugić, a member of the Board of the Regional Center for Sustainable Energy Transition (RESET) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the energy transition is actually a revolution, given the technological changes.

“The region is still burdened by tradition. We know the transition is inevitable, but we aren’t fully aware that it will be disruptive,” Kušljugić stated.

Technology is here, and so is financing

Mirza Kušljugić, Aleš Prešern and Maja Turković (photo: Balkan Green Energy News)

Maja Turković, Senior Vice President of CWP Europe, stressed that technology, currently undergoing a revolution, is the best card the world has in the transition. She even suggested that financing isn’t a problem and that there are more financial resources available than projects qualified to receive funding.

However, she is surprised by the rapid growth in solar power installations. Turković argued that market-based projects cannot achieve double-digit internal rates of return on equity. Part of the explanation may lie in the fact that panel prices have dropped by 60% over two years.

Battery prices have also fallen. The largest drop was last year, 40%, with a further 5% decline this year alone, according to Turković. Prices have slipped below EUR 100,000 per MWh.

Turković: Regarding CAPEX and technology, we’re ready

The latest trend is the integration of batteries with solar power plants. While transmission system operators in the region still don’t allow it, in some countries a grid connection approved for solar can also be used for batteries. “Regarding CAPEX and technology, we’re ready,” Turković underlined.

Aleš Prešern, Vice President and Head of Southeast Europe in Siemens Energy, is particularly impressed with the speed of change.

“We who are working in the energy sector are used to very slow changes. Energy was a conservative industry. In 2004, 1 GW of solar was built, but now data shows that it is how much is installed in one day. Batteries cost EUR 1 million per MWh not that long ago, and now they are ten times cheaper,” he noted.

Prešern: Transmission networks are the bottleneck of the transition

They are indeed dramatic changes, for which the existing power system wasn’t prepared. It is clear why Siemens Energy, as a technology company, considers transmission networks to be the bottleneck in the transition, Prešern said.

To illustrate the slowness of grid investments, he pointed to Austria, as one of the examples, where it took 10 years to build one important segment of the 400 kV network.

Both Turković and Prešern agree that nowadays the keyword is flexibility.

Maja Turković and Christian Beynio (photo: Balkan Green Energy News)

She explained there are operating battery management systems at low voltage levels that incorporate artificial intelligence and use market signals for activation when prices are low.

Prešern added that the required stability through balancing could be provided by gas power plants. Siemens Energy has never seen such high demand for gas turbines like today, he asserted.

Beynio: Don’t forget the non-banking institutions when looking in new financing

“If you ask about availability of financing, yes, it’s there,” Christian Beynio, Head of Advisory at Kommunalkredit Austria AG, confirmed. In his view, prices or, rather, the drop in prices of equipment, is the biggest innovation. Earlier, he said, it was a completely different game, heavily subsidized, while nowadays no subsidies are required per se.

The trend that Kommunalkredit Austria AG identified is the pooling of smaller assets, and a shift from financing projects toward financing developers and companies as corporates. It is yet to come to the region, he added.

Investment in grids, in his words, has to be initiated by the government. They have two solutions – go to the sovereign debt market or engage private investors. “Don’t forget the non-banking institutions when looking for new financing. This is a trend across Europe, and it will be relevant for the Balkans,” Beynio advised.

Battery projects won’t go so smoothly

Aleš Prešern (photo: Balkan Green Energy News)

Maja Turković expressed the belief that installing batteries won’t go as smoothly as solar. The main reason is the difficulty of securing a stable cash flow for batteries, unlike for production facilities. Cash flow enables financing, so batteries will likely need to be financed with internal funds, she underlined.

Turković noted that batteries are best monetized by providing system services and arbitrage, but pointed out they can also participate in capacity mechanisms, a scheme that could involve power purchase agreements (PPAs).

She said the development of the regulatory framework should be faster, to facilitate investments in batteries. Investors are ready to commit their funds to battery installation, and everyone in the market agrees that batteries are essential, Turković stressed.

Prešern: People and not technology are a guarantee that networks will exist and function properly

Amid the widespread discussions about technology and regulations, Aleš Prešern highlighted another issue. Energy, in his opinion, has always been an exciting sector, but the message hasn’t been getting through to young people in recent years. It was the case not only in the region but also in Europe, and beyond, leading to a shortage of skilled personnel.

However, he expressed the belief that things are changing and enthusiasm is returning. Prešern even suggested it could be a major advantage for the region, well known for its high-quality engineers.

Siemens Energy strives to employ as many good engineers as possible because, ultimately, people and not technology are a guarantee that networks will exist and function properly, he stressed.

The solution is also in using new technologies to better utilize existing grids

Christian Beynio (photo: Balkan Green Energy News)

The combination of rapid changes in the energy sector and slow investments in the grids threatens to put the transition to a standstill.

Better utilization of existing infrastructure could be the solution. Siemens Energy fits well there, as several years ago it established a division called Digital Grid. According to Prešern, the idea was to be quicker in data utilization, something that other sectors like automotive have long advanced, while energy has lagged.

The company recently acquired a Slovenian-Austrian firm that produces sensors installed directly on power lines, a technology called dynamic line rating. The devices provide real-time data about the conditions in power lines, potentially enabling their use beyond original design limits.

“With this technology, we believe we can increase the capacity of existing networks by an average of 30%,” Prešern revealed.

New technologies have changed bankers’ jobs as well

New technologies have changed bankers’ jobs as well, Christian Beynio admitted. He recalled that it was easy to finance wind farms in Serbia because they had feed-in tariffs from the government. The only risk element was the wind blowing or not blowing, Beynio said.

Nowadays there are merchant power producers that combine their facilities with batteries and use algorithms in electricity trading, he added. It means bankers need to sit with market consultants to identify all outcomes, he stressed.

“You won’t find singular cash flow streams. It’s going to be multi-dimensional and people simply need to adjust. It’s going to be more short term also on the lending side. It’s rather going to be corporate lending to people and companies who know what they are doing and can credibly demonstrate that with a track record. That is the digitalization impact we see”, Beynio said.

Maja Turković (photo: Balkan Green Energy News)
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May 26, 2025
by in News

BEF 2025: Regional cooperation can facilitate energy transition, energy security

Montenegro, Serbia, and the Republic of Srpska don’t have a problem attracting investments in electricity production, but they do have issues when it comes to investments in transmission networks. If the introduction of CBAM is not postponed, it will greatly burden their economies. Hungary is interested in strengthening energy ties with them as well as the rest of the Western Balkans, which would bolster energy security for the whole region. Croatia could also assist it in strengthening employment in the green technologies sector, to counter the loss of jobs due to decarbonization. These are the main messages from the High-ministerial panel on SEE regional cooperation and energy transition strategies.

The ministerial panel was the first of eight at this year’s Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025). The conference, organized by Balkan Green Energy News, welcomed four hundred participants from more than 30 countries from the region, Europe, and beyond.

The panel featured representatives of the governments of Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, the Republic of Srpska – one of the two political entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Serbia, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The moderator of the panel was Dirk Buschle, who until recently was a key figure in the Energy Community Secretariat, and now is a partner at law firm Becker Büttner Held.

He noted it is a mistake to say that the contracting parties of the Energy Community are lagging behind EU countries in the energy transition. They all face the same issues, which are energy accessibility, supply security, and sustainability, Buschle added.

Additional proof, in his words, are the similar issues faced by investors – in grid connections and permitting.

Investments in production are coming, the issues are grids, CBAM

Dirk Buschle, Petar Đokić and Admir Šahmanović

According to Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska Petar Đokić, the entity has made significant progress in defining a regulatory framework that aligns with the rules of the Energy Community and the European Union.

He noted that with the help of the Energy Community Secretariat, the two entities of BiH recently reached an agreement on adopting a law on the electricity regulator, transmission, and market. It is one of the cornerstones for establishing an organized electricity market.

The Republic of Srpska was successful in attracting investments in green energy in recent years, Đokić added. It established concessions and partnerships for the construction of 2,200 MW of renewable energy power plants – wind, solar, and hydropower.

However, large investments in transmission networks are also necessary, he pointed out and said he expects assistance from the European Union’s financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as the World Bank.

Đokić: CBAM to hit hard BiH’s economy

The minister called on them to set up such partnerships.

Regarding the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), he said that measures have been taken to change the domestic energy mix. Until recently, the share of fossil fuels was 62%, but it has now dropped to 54%, he recalled.

By 2028, the Republic of Srpska will have two new hydropower plants, of 159 MW and 36 MW, and new solar power plants with a total capacity of 250 MW, the minister asserted. It would additionally green the energy mix, Đokić said.

CBAM, in his words, could harm the economy of the Republic of Srpska and BiH.

If it is applied the way it is apparently envisaged, it would result in a significant increase in costs, with a severe negative impact, he underlined. Đoković expressed hope that the rollout would be separately discussed in the case of BiH.

Šahmanović: Montenegro is finishing its NECP

Montenegro also enjoys great interest from investors. It has received applications for building solar power plants and wind farms with a total capacity of 5.5 GW, said Admir Šahmanović, Minister of Energy and Mining.

The country’s current capacity is slightly over 1 GW.

It is, in his words, the result of improving the regulatory framework including the adoption of laws on renewable energy sources and energy. However, investment in the transmission grid is also necessary. The government plans to discuss with Italy the possibility of installing another subsea cable for electricity transmission, while the national energy and climate plan (NECP) will be completed by the end of next month, the minister revealed.

Montenegro is requesting a postponement of CBAM until 2030

In addition, renewable energy auctions are being prepared with the EBRD, and a memorandum on market coupling with Italy will be signed, he added.

As for CBAM, the minister stressed that Montenegro doesn’t believe the EU wants to harm its economy, but argued that the country isn’t ready for the mechanism’s implementation.

“Perhaps we are now in a situation similar to where our EU partners were 20 years ago. So, we need to invest a lot in our production capacities, grid, storage. It will take years, so if we don’t receive an exemption by 2030, I believe we won’t be able to handle this challenge,” Šahmanović stressed.

Secure supply of the national market is the highest priority

Boglárka Illés, Admir Šahmanović and Jovana Joksimović

Jovana Joksimović, Serbian assistant minister of mining and energy for international cooperation, European integration, and project management, expressed the opinion that the energy transition is a long and intensive process, technically, operationally, and financially.

Since October 2022, renewable energy in the energy mix has increased by 83%, which demonstrates the progress of the energy transition in Serbia, Joksimović asserted.

“We need to be realistic, as well as socially aware, because a fair and sustainable transition is something that should be carefully considered when changing the energy mix, where coal accounts for 60%,” she noted.

Joksimović: The priority is to ensure a sufficient supply of electricity at the most affordable prices for citizens and the economy

It is necessary, in her words, to be ambitious and dedicated to the energy transition goals, but she is convinced that there is a higher objective.

At the country level, it is to ensure enough electricity at the most affordable prices for both citizens and the economy, she underlined. “That’s what our top priority is,” Joksimović underscored.

Guided by the said goal, Serbia is also considering the use of nuclear energy and a study on possible options is currently being prepared.

Boglárka Illés, State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also stressed that the government’s primary duty is to ensure not only climate neutrality and sustainable energy but also affordable energy with a stable supply for households and businesses.

She pointed out that diversifying energy imports and the energy mix plays a key role in securing energy sovereignty. It is the reason why cooperation with the Western Balkans, and especially Serbia, is important to Hungary, Illés asserted.

Illés: Europe’s energy security has been demolished

A few days before, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the EU has abandoned a successful economic strategy, based on cheap Russian gas and advanced German technology.

“And now we don’t see any other strategy within the EU,” she stated.

Due to ideologically driven sanctions against Russia, and the European Green Deal, the energy security of Europe is demolished, in Illés’s opinion. The region is located at the intersection of essential energy routes, connecting the East and the West, and also South and North, she underlined.

“We, as an EU member country, can act as a bridge between non-EU member countries and also the EU,” the state secretary stressed.

As an example of good cooperation with Serbia, she highlighted the supply of gas through the TurkStream pipeline and the Pannonian Corridor project for doubling the capacity for power exchange between the two countries.

The energy transition is an opportunity

Jovana Joksimović, Marija Pujo Tadić and Dario Liguti

In one respect, Marija Pujo Tadić, Special Envoy for Climate Action from the Government of Croatia, doesn’t share the opinion of the Hungarian official. She argued it isn’t true that Europe lacks a plan.

The EU has a clear plan and a well-defined strategy – it is the Clean Industrial Deal, she stressed.

She highlighted two important strategies relevant to the region: the Paris Agreement and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

As a member of the scientific advisory board for the COP 29 presidency, she recalled that this year a review of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) would be conducted. It is an assessment of how countries are meeting their plans for lowering CO2 emissions.

Pujo Tadić: Education and workforce specialization are essential

She underlined the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans also envisages reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, which is essentially the shared goal of the EU.

However, Pujo Tadić expressed the belief that policies and laws alone are not enough. Public education and workforce specialization are also necessary because the transition will create many new jobs, she added.

Croatia could be of great support to the Western Balkans, having launched such educational programs five years ago, according to Pujo Tadić.

The link between the energy transition and the creation of new jobs was also stressed by Dario Liguti, Director of Sustainable Energy at UNECE. In his view, the region has a huge opportunity to become part of the supply chains for green technologies by greening the domestic power generation and by leaning on the EU’s energy transition.

He sees the main factors for it in the region’s geographic proximity to the large European market, and the large, skilled workforce that can be educated for other tasks. Liguti drew a connection with the expected job loss from decarbonization measures and the related need for a just transition.

Liguti: There is great potential for energy efficiency in the region

Liguti praised the forthcoming investments in renewable energy production, but warned it is only one side of the story, arguing that the other one is energy efficiency. He reminded the audience that the region’s energy intensity is high, saying there is room for savings.

The installation of big solar plants and wind farms, in his words, is great because it’s very visible.

“It’s a great investment and makes a lot of sense. The harder part is making energy efficiency investments, whether in buildings or the industrial processes in large, small, or medium enterprises,” Liguti stated.

As an example, he recalled that UNECE is running a project with the EBRD in North Macedonia to support households and small and medium enterprises to lower the costs of liquid fuels and electricity.

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May 16, 2025
by in News

Investors seek to install 5.5 GW of renewables in Montenegro – minister

Montenegro has received applications for building solar power plants and wind farms with a total capacity of 5.5 GW, Admir Šahmanović, the Minister of Energy and Mining, said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025.

Montenegrin Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović said the country has made significant progress in shaping its regulatory framework.

Montenegro has passed new laws on energy and renewable energy sources, while a draft law on the exchange of electricity and natural gas has been prepared.

“We are currently drafting a national energy and climate plan, which will be finalized by the end of next month,” Šahmanović stressed.

Montenegro currently has about 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity

He also recalled that the government is preparing renewable energy auctions in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The minister expects these auctions will significantly boost investments in renewables.

According to Šahmanović, the country has made considerable efforts to improve the investment climate.

“As a result, we have received 45 applications for the construction of renewable power plants with a combined capacity of 5.5 GW. For comparison, the country’s current capacity is slightly over 1 GW, which demonstrates our success,” he explained.

A memorandum on market coupling with Italy would be signed very soon

He said that a memorandum on market coupling with Italy would be signed next month. “We will also discuss the installation of another subsea cable for electricity transmission between Montenegro and Italy,” Šahmanović noted.

Montenegro plans to couple its day-ahead electricity market with Italy, linking it to the single European market. It previously considered two options for its first market coupling: with Serbia and with Albania, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Greece.

The third Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025), started today welcoming four hundred participants from more than 30 countries from the region, Europe and beyond. The two-day conference is organized by Balkan Green Energy News.

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May 15, 2025
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Đokić: Republic of Srpska will connect 250 MW of solar in next three years

Over the next three years, the Republic of Srpska will connect 250 MW of new solar power plants to the grid, Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić announced at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025), a two-day conference that kicked off today.

The Republic of Srpska, according to Đokić, has agreed concessions and partnerships for the construction of 2,200 MW of renewable energy power plants – wind, solar, and hydropower. Of the total capacity, state power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) has been awarded concessions for projects totaling 755 MW.

“The total value of the investments is about BAM 5.5 billion (EUR 2.81 billion), positioning the Republic of Srpska as a significant investor in the wider region,” he stressed.

Investments are needed in the transmission network

According to him, this is a great achievement considering the size and population of the Republic of Srpska, one of the two political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). However, these projects, which are planned to be realized in the next five years, will have to include investments in transmission capacities in order to upgrade the network.

With certain investments, according to him, the Republic of Srpska’s transmission network currently has the capacity to offtake all the electricity that will be produced in both the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other political entity of BiH.

Đokić expects support from European financial institutions

He noted that this requires significant financial resources, adding that he expects cooperation with the European Union’s (EU) financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as the World Bank.

Regarding the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), he said that measures have been taken to change the energy mix. Until recently, the share of fossil fuels was 62%, but it has now dropped to 54%, he noted.

By 2028, the Republic of Srpska will have two new hydropower plants, of 159 MW and 36 MW respectively, built by ERS, as well as one that is being finalized by a private investor, according to Đokić. “In the next three years, we will complete solar power plants with a total capacity of 250 MW, possibly more,” he said.

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May 13, 2025
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Everything is ready for Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 – welcome!

Everything is ready for the third Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2025. On May 14 and 15, the conference will gather four hundred participants from more then 30 countries from the region, Europe, and beyond.

Participants of the Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025) will have the opportunity to hear from speakers from the European Union and five countries in the region and exchange views. Eight panels featuring more than 50 officials, executives and prominent energy experts will try to untangle the currently most important issues in the energy sector.

Representatives of governments, regulatory agencies, regional and international institutions and organizations as well as the business community will outline their future moves, which is invaluable information given the new reality of a turbulent geopolitical landscape.

Latest information on the largest project for the installation of solar power plants in the region and beyond

Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski and Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović will open the event. One of the key speakers is Christian Zinglersen, director of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

The ministerial panel consists of ministers and other officials from Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and the Republic of Srpska, which is one of the two entities making up Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Representatives of the Hyundai Engineering – UGT Renewables consortium will summarize the next steps in the largest solar power project in the region and beyond. The consortium is the diamond sponsor of the event this year as well.

It entails solar power plants with a total connected power of 1,000 MW, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) of 200 MW in overall capability and 400 MWh in capacity.

It is a joint project with Serbian state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije. The partners took another important step this week by signing a grid connection contract with the country’s transmission system operator Elektromreža Srbije.

Hitachi’s cutting-edge technological solutions are indispensable in Southeast Europe

Keynote speakers Seung-Won Lee, Vice President of Hyundai Engineering, and Chan Wo Park, Global Executive Advisor at UGT Renewables, will present the project.

Hitachi Energy‘s cutting-edge technological solutions are indispensable in Southeast Europe. Some examples of its contribution to the energy transition of the region are the largest solar power plant in the Balkans – Apriltsi in Bulgaria, of 250 MW, as well as the second wind farm in North Macedonia – Bogoslovec, with a capacity of 36 MW.

Together with the Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry, Hitachi Energy is in the group of silver sponsors of BEF 2025.

The association was founded by Metalfer Group, Elixir Group, Lafarge Serbia, Moravacem (part of CRH) and TITAN Cementara Kosjerić. They are producers of steel, fertilizers and cement driven by a vision of sustainable development, industrial innovation and regulatory clarity.

Zečević: Decarbonization must be shaped by strategy, not imposed by circumstance

BEF 2025 will be attended by the association’s manager Stanislava Simić, Metalfer Group president, Branko Zečević and Lafarge Serbia CEO Dimitrije Knjeginjić.

“As Europe enforces carbon accountability through CBAM, Serbia and the Western Balkans must not remain a regulatory blind spot. Without our own regionally adapted carbon border policy, we risk being overwhelmed by carbon-intensive imports, eroding both our industry and climate goals,” Zečević stressed.

The association calls for a regional, synchronized approach – one that levels the playing field, accelerates innovation, and positions the Western Balkans as a credible partner in Europe’s green transition, he added. Decarbonization must be shaped by strategy, not imposed by circumstance, according to Zečević.

Batteries are the stars of BEF 2025

The panel ‘Energy storage system market in SEE: trends and forecasts’ has attracted great interest.

One of the panelists is Ioanna Barouni, Research Associate in Aurora Energy Research, a reliable energy market analyst and a knowledge partner of the forum. The company’s analysis unveils answers to questions that everybody asks – politicians, investors and regulators alike. For instance, one burning issue is the effect of cannibalization in solar power on wholesale power prices.

Aurora recently presented its first forecast for the Western Balkans, based on investment activity. The firm now provides forecasting services for Albania, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cerović: BEF is a key event bringing together industry experts

Financing battery energy storage systems is a job banks such as UniCredit Bank Serbia, a bronze sponsor of the conference.

“I’m delighted to once again represent UniCredit Bank Serbia, in BEF, a key event that brings together industry experts and leaders in the energy transition in Southeast Europe. As the global market moves towards decarbonization and greater use of renewable sources, the role of energy storage systems becomes increasingly important,” said Svetlana Cerović, Head of Specialized Lending at UniCredit Bank Serbia.

She is also last year’s winner of the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award.

Fortis brings its vast experience in investments in energy storage

Fortis is bringing its vast experience in investments in energy storage. In February, the firm inked a deal for batteries for North Macedonia’s largest PV plant, Oslomej, while a 36 MWh battery in Serbia is in the pipeline. Fortis has also signed a framework agreement with PowerChina on joint investments in renewable energy projects.

Nikola Oklobdžija, CEO of Fortis Energy for Eastern Europe, will present the company’s vision.

Renewable Energy Insurance Broker, a bronze sponsor, was one of the key factors for the largest photovoltaic plant in Romania. It provided insurance packages for every phase of development of the 155 MW Rătești facility. REIB is a specialized insurance intermediary focused exclusively on the renewable energy sector.

Tailored insurance solutions improve project bankability and long-term security, according to the firm.

Four companies are exhibitors

BEF 2025 has an exhibition segment, too. One of the companies showcasing its activities is ScadaWatt, which develops smart and reliable solutions for power plants. The company provides remote monitoring, real-time control, and AI-powered analytics to improve efficiency and reduce losses.

SciEngineer and Zarja Elektronika will also present their services and solutions. SciEngineer is the exclusive representative of MathWorks, COMSOL, and Speedgoat in Central and Eastern Europe. Their solutions reduce development time, cut costs, improve reliability, and accelerate time-to-market.

Zarja Elektronika is a leading Slovenian company specializing in advanced fire detection and alarm systems. With over 40 years of experience, it provides innovative, reliable, and tailor-made safety solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential environments.

DRI and YEO are friends of the conference

The Chinese company SANY Renewable Energy, which owns the Alibunar 1 and Alibunar 2 wind farms, will also have an exhibition stand.

DRI and YEO are joining the group of the friends of the conference. DRI is an Amsterdam-headquartered renewables developer and a subsidiary of the DTEK Group, one of the biggest private investors in Ukraine’s energy sector.

Joffroy Beckers, Head of PPA, will speak at a panel dedicated to the topic.

In January, DRI said it planned to start building the 120 MW Ljubovo wind power plant in Croatia in 2027. It revealed it right after it completed a 60 MW solar power plant in Romania.

Turkey-based YEO is active in more than 30 countries, delivering turnkey solutions in energy and industrial systems. In the Balkans, in addition to its energy expertise role, the company invests in renewable energy projects.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
May 6, 2025
by in News

Engie Romania takes over 54 MW wind power project

Engie Romania has completed the acquisition of a 54 MW wind power project located in Mereni in central Romania.

Engie Romania said the Mereni wind project is located in Constanța county, an area with high wind potential, recognized for its superior yields in green energy production.

The project represents a strategic step in expanding the company’s renewable energy portfolio and supports its goal of reaching an installed capacity of 1 GW by 2030, according to Engie Romania, a subsidiary of the French energy giant Engie.

The project was acquired in a “ready-to-build” stage, with all necessary building permits in place to begin construction. Installation is scheduled to begin later this year, with commissioning scheduled for 2027, according to a press release.

The Mereni wind farm will deliver 180 GWh of renewable energy annually

With an estimated annual production of 180 GWh, the Mereni wind farm will deliver renewable energy equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 90,000 households. Engie estimates that this amount of electricity can support the operation of about 20 medium-sized data centers with 1 MW of continuous power each.

Cristian Buzan, Deputy General Manager of Engie Romania, underlined that this acquisition reflects the company’s constant commitment to actively contributing to the energy transition by developing a diversified portfolio of renewable projects.

Engie Romania currently operates an installed capacity of 211 MW from renewable sources

“We continue our evolution with concrete steps, supported by the ambition to be a trusted partner for our customers, offering sustainable and competitive solutions, adapted to their long-term needs,” Buzan noted.

Engie Romania currently operates an installed capacity of 211 MW from renewable sources. The portfolio comprises three wind farms with a combined capacity of 178 MW and five photovoltaic plants totaling 33 MW. These assets are located in different regions of the country.

The company’s latest projects are its first 57 MW hybrid power plant and the acquisition of an operational 80 MW wind farm.

Its next move is to put into operation a 37.2 MWp solar power plant in Ariceștii Rahtivani, Prahova County.

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May 5, 2025
by in News

Army joins forces with municipality, energy company, road firm to install solar panels in Slovenia

The Sunčana Vipava solar power project has brought together several key stakeholders in Slovenia – state electricity producer Soške Elektrarne Nova Gorica (SENG), the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia (MORS), road management firm Družba za Avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji (DARS), and the Municipality of Vipava.

The Sunčana (Sunny) Vipava project envisages installing solar power plants with a total capacity of 20 MW along highways, near military barracks, and on municipal land.

The initiative is seen as a strategic move towards achieving greater energy independence, enhancing energy supply security, and promoting sustainable development through advanced photovoltaic solutions, in both military and civilian areas, according to SENG.

The company operates 28 hydropower plants, with a combined capacity of 346 MW, on the Soča River and its tributaries, and is part of the Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE) group.

In the Vipava municipality, SENG has identified several potential sites for harnessing solar energy, located adjacent to military barracks, along highways, and on municipal land.

The Vipava municipality intends to establish business zones in the vicinity of the future solar plants

The primary objective for all parties involved in the agreement is to maximize the utilization of solar potential, in conjunction with modern technologies such as hydrogen, SENG underlined.

The estimated potential at these sites is substantial, and it is currently financially viable to install solar panels with a total capacity of 20 MW. Additionally, the Municipality of Vipava plans to develop business zones in the vicinity of the future photovoltaic plants.

SENG and DARS have had a longstanding collaboration, initiated in July 2023, when the two state-owned companies agreed to develop solar power plants next to highways and signed a contract to build the first one in the southern region of Primorska.

SENG stressed the Sunčana Vipava project is one of its several green initiatives. The company plans to open its largest solar power plant at Kanalski Vrh before summer. The plant, located near the Avče pumped storage hydropower plant, will have a total capacity of 8 MW, and its first, 2.9 MW phase is nearing completion.

The official opening of the first phase is scheduled for early June.

Slovenia’s army involved in various energy projects

Photo: SENG

The involvement of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia (MORS) and Slovenian Armed Forces in energy projects is not a surprise.

In April 2023, a public-private partnership was initiated to build photovoltaic plants at the Edvard Peperko military barracks in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. A year later, MORS launched the Defense Resilience Hub Network in Europe (RESHUB) project, which envisages establishing self-sufficient energy hubs.

In addition to highways and military barracks, Slovenia plans to install solar panels along railways, demonstrating its commitment to placing solar energy facilities in degraded or underutilized locations.

A cooperation agreement for this project was signed by Vipava Mayor Anton Lavrenčič, Slovenian Minister of Defense Borut Sajovic, DARS Board Member David Skornšek, and SENG CEO Mitja Gorjan.

Gorjan explained that SENG’s responsibilities include preparing project and investment documentation for the installation and construction of solar power plants at the Mlake military training ground, along military infrastructure and the highway, and in other locations within the Municipality of Vipava.

According to HSE CEO Tomaž Štokelj, the locations for energy facilities in the Vipava region present excellent opportunities for the multifunctional use of space.

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April 30, 2025
by in News

Janom Investments reaches ready-to-build stage for 30 MW solar power plant in Croatia

Around a year after announcing its pilot project in Croatia’s Slavonia region, Janom Investments has reached the ready-to-build stage for the 30 MW photovoltaic plant.

This marks Janom Investments’s first investment in Croatia and a significant step in its regional expansion. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with commissioning planned for the second quarter of 2026.

The project is supported by Ekonerg, a Croatian engineering firm, which is providing technical assistance throughout the development and construction process.

Sršeň: We will do our utmost to deliver this solar power plant to the grid by Q2 2026

A recent meeting in Klakar in Slavonia brought together Janom Investments’ CEO Andrej Sršeň and CIO Radovan Šavolt, Ekonerg’s Boris Režek, and Klakar Mayor Tomislav Pendić to discuss the upcoming construction phase and long-term cooperation.

Andrej Sršeň, CEO of Janom Investments, said they are proud to be part of one of the largest PV projects in Croatia to date.

“We appreciate the strong support from the Municipality of Klakar throughout the permitting process and will do our utmost to deliver this solar power plant to the grid by Q2 2026,” Sršeň stated.

According to Tomislav Pendić, Mayor of Klakar, the project will contribute to Croatia’s decarbonization goals. “This solar power plant not only supports the country’s green transition but will also bring tangible benefits to our municipality through a long-term land lease, providing additional revenue to support public services,” he stressed.

Janom Investments is currently advancing the permitting for a portfolio of solar and wind projects totaling more than 200 MW

Janom Investments is currently advancing the permitting process for a portfolio of solar and wind projects totaling more than 200 MW in Croatia.

The company also plans to leverage its expertise in battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support grid modernization and resilience.

Of note, a month ago Janom Investments, a leading CEE investor in clean technologies and co-founder of GreenWay, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable mobility by participating in another investment round for the company. This round was worth more than EUR 50 million.

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April 30, 2025
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Investors in BiH developing 3,800 MW of wind, 12,500 MW of solar

Wind farms with a capacity of 3,800 MW and solar power plants with a capacity of 12,500 MW are currently in various stages of development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the indicative plan for the development of production  2026-2035, published by the Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The goal of the ten-year plan is to provide information on projects initiated for the construction of new production capacities to be connected to the transmission system, according to the transmission system operator (TSO), Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina (NOSBiH).

The plan is supposed to prioritize covering domestic consumption and capacity needs with domestic resources.

NOSBiH said investors continued in 2024 to apply with their renewable energy projects. The interest in grid connections wasn’t affected by the significant reduction in electricity purchase prices, especially for the hours when solar power plants typically produce, it added in the plan

A lack of transmission capacities could become an obstacle to the export of electricity

According to the register of the applications for grid connections, which Elektroprenos BiH manages, there are about 3,800 MW of proposed wind farms and 12,500 MW of photovoltaic facilities in various stages of development, NOSBiH underlined.

Results of an adequacy assessment showed that increasing production makes it possible to increase exports. BiH’s TSO warned that in such a scenario, the currently planned transmission capacity expansion wouldn’t be sufficient.

Another 100 MW of solar is seen coming online in BiH by the end of 2025

With the current production development plans, the system could be left without sufficient balancing capacities. NOSBiH therefore called for developing balancing capacities in parallel.

The document shows that four solar power plants of 206 MW in total were added last year to the transmission network in BiH: FNE Zvizdan (28.5 MW), SE Bileća (55 MW), FNE Hodovo (92.47 MW), and FNE Deling invest 1 (29.75 MW), together with one wind farm, VE Ivovik, of 84 MW. In February of this year, the Ivan Sedlo wind farm (25 MW) was also put online.

By the end of 2025, the start of trial operation of another five PV plants is expected, the plan showed. They would have 100 MW altogether: FNE Hodovo F1-F4 (11.96 MW), FNE Brotnjo (9.98 MW), FNE Polog 1-8 (7.99 MW), FNE Plavo Sunce 1-2 (40 MW) and FNE Livno 1-6 (27.6 MW).

Batteries can bridge the period until the transmission grid capacity becomes adequate

The plan anticipates a similar tempo of grid connections for 2026, too.

In that case, along with the integration of renewables into the distribution network and similar power plants coming online in neighboring countries, a congestion can appear in the transmission network, together with complications in operating the country’s transmission system from a regulatory point of view, NOSBiH said.

Battery energy storage systems can solve both potential issues in the medium term, until investments get the transmission grid to an adequate level, it suggested.

BiH needs battery capability of 225 MW and 450 MWh in total capacity

The company recalled that a year ago it produced a study, together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), provisionally called Operational Models for Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Balancing Market of NOS BiH.

They estimated the need for additional balancing based on hour-by-hour production profiles for facilities of 1,500 MW in total photovoltaic capacity and 1,000 MW of wind. The authors said a combined 225 MW in battery operating power is required and an overall capacity of 450 MWh.

The study also explored revenue generation opportunities for BESS, particularly through participation in the ancillary services market.

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April 30, 2025
by in News

Croatian firm ENNA takes over 87.5 MW solar project in Romania

Croatian energy company ENNA Solar, part of ENNA Group, has signed an agreement with Austria-based Kraftfeld Energy to acquire an 87.52 MW ready-to-build solar power plant project in Romania.

ENNA Solar plans to start construction in the third quarter of 2025, with the solar power plant expected to be fully operational and connected to the grid by the third quarter of 2026, according to a press release from the Croatian company.

“The investment, valued at around EUR 60 million, represents our first large-scale project outside of Croatia and one of our biggest green energy production investments to date,” said Boštjan Napast, President of the Management Board of ENNA Group.

The plant is expected to generate an average of 133 GWh a year

The solar power plant will be built in Giurgiu county, near the town of Mihăilești, 25 kilometers southwest of Bucharest. It would cover an area of 93 hectares, approximately the size of 130 football fields, ENNA stated. Its expected average annual electricity output is 133 GWh.

In the site’s close vicinity, Israel-based Nofar is building the 146 MW Ghimpați solar power plant, while the locations for its 169 MW Iepurești plant and 74 MW Slobozia facility are nearby as well.

Austria’s Kraftfeld Energy, which developed the Mihăilești project, owns and operates solar farms and energy storage systems in several European countries, primarily Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Austria.

The investment in the solar power plant in Romania aligns with ENNA Group’s 10-year development plan, which includes investments totaling EUR 330 million in solar in Croatia and abroad, according to the press release.

ENNA also develops wind farms, geothermal projects, and battery storage systems

In addition to solar, ENNA also invests in wind farms, battery storage systems, and geothermal energy projects. It already has around 50 MW of completed renewable energy projects or projects in an advanced stage of readiness, as well as approximately 350 MW in various stages of development.

In the geothermal sector, ENNA has two active geothermal power plant projects in Croatia, with a capacity of 20 MW and 15 MW, respectively, representing a total investment of EUR 240 million.

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