The Bosnian utility EPBiH is advancing its energy transition by repurposing former coal infrastructure for renewable energy generation. As part of the World Bank-supported Scaling Up Renewable Energy Project (SURE), the utility plans to install solar power plants and battery storage systems at the Kakanj and Tuzla thermal power plants. These initiatives, alongside a EUR 10 million residential solar program and hydropower modernization, represent a significant shift toward reducing coal dependency and modernizing the national grid for long-term sustainability and lower CO2 emission levels.
The centerpiece of the initiative includes a ground-mounted solar power plant at the Kakanj thermal power plant, situated on a former ash and slag disposal site. This facility is designed with a capacity of 10.29 MWp and will be integrated with a 4 MW / 8 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). A similar, though smaller, installation is planned for the Tuzla coal-fired plant, where an 806 kWp solar module array and a 2 MWh BESS will also be constructed on a former waste site. Both projects aim to supply electricity for the plants’ internal operations, thereby lowering local coal consumption.
Beyond industrial sites, EPBiH is launching the “Prosumers 5000+” project, a EUR 10 million investment targeting residential energy independence. This program is expected to facilitate rooftop solar installations for approximately 2,200 households across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing an estimated 11 MWp of total capacity to the regional grid. Public consultations regarding the environmental and social frameworks for these projects are scheduled for late April.
The utility’s modernization efforts also extend to the 208.5 MW Salakovac hydropower plant on the Neretva River. Planned upgrades will focus on refurbishing turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems to ensure the facility meets contemporary environmental standards and maintains operational reliability for several decades. This rehabilitation is critical for balancing the intermittent nature of new renewable sources being added to the regional energy mix.
Furthermore, EPBiH has initiated a tender for the installation of rooftop solar power plants at ten specific company locations. With a total budget of EUR 1.5 million, this project will add 935 kW of capacity to help meet the utility’s own energy demands. The largest of these rooftop systems will be placed at the Kakanj and Tuzla plants, with additional installations planned for distribution buildings and the Jablanica hydropower plant. Bids for this procurement remain open until May 15, 2026.