Bosnia and Herzegovina Renewable Energy Community (BIHREC)

Duration

28.01.2026. - 28.04.2027.

Budget

23.000,00 €

Project Description

The BIHREC – Bosnia and Herzegovina Renewable Energy Community project is implemented within the framework of the initiative “Better Cohesion through Development of Energy Communities in the Western Balkans”, with the objective of establishing a sustainable and replicable model of a Renewable Energy Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is led by the Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – SERDA, and is implemented in the City of Visoko, Zenica-Doboj Canton.

The main objective of the project is to enable citizens, public institutions and civil society organisations to jointly participate in the production and use of energy from renewable sources and to achieve economic, environmental and social benefits through a democratic and transparent governance model. BIHREC is designed as a model that can be replicated in other local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future.

During the first phase of the project, activities focused on identifying and engaging relevant local stakeholders, developing the community governance model, collecting and analysing energy consumption data, preparing the financial model, and establishing the legal framework for the operation of the Renewable Energy Community.

As a result of the project, the Association “Citizens’ Renewable Energy Community” was established and registered. Its founding members are the Public Institution Centre for Children and Adults with Special Needs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, the Balkan Association for Sustainable Energy – BASE, and the Association “Young Volunteers”. A democratic governance model based on the principle of “one member – one vote” has been established, together with open and voluntary membership.

In Phase 2, the project envisages the procurement and installation of a solar photovoltaic power plant on the premises of the Public Institution Centre in Visoko. The conceptual design foresees a photovoltaic system with an approximate capacity of 54 kWp DC, combined with a 40 kW inverter, primarily intended for self-consumption.

BIHREC represents one of the pioneering projects in the development of Renewable Energy Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and aims to create a practical model that combines renewable energy generation, democratic governance, social inclusion and active participation of the local community.

Partners

• Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – SERDA – Lead Beneficiary and Project Coordinator
• Association for Green Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Sources of Bosnia and Herzegovina (UzH2OIE / AgH2RES)
• Green Sustainable Solutions Ltd. (GSS), Croatia

The project is implemented within the initiative “Better Cohesion through Development of Energy Communities in the Western Balkans”, with the support of the European Union, as part of activities implemented by the Emilia-Romagna Region and ART-ER.

Contacts

Faruk Cerić
Senior Manager
Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – SERDA
faruk@serda.ba
+387 33 641-520