In organization of the Bioenergy Joint Program of the UNDP, GIZ and USAID EIA and under the auspices Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, first meeting of the Working group for renewable energy sources in BiH was held in Mostar. The initiative for development of this working group has been undertaken to involve all relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to improve segment of renewable energy sources and fulfill obligations from the Treaty establishing Energy Community.

“By activities of this Working group we shall continue with practice of making joint decisions for technical support of the UNDP project (Biomass Energy for Employment and Energy Security financed by Czech Development Agency (CzDA); GIZ Project (Promotion of renewable energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina) and USAID EIA Project (Investments in energy sector) in order to act synergistically in the field of renewable energy sources”, stated Ms. Amila Selmanagić Bajrović, GEF Project Manager.

The goal of the meeting was presentation of planned activities of the Working group, which are related to the Action plans for renewable energy sources in BiH, Progress reports in field of renewable energy sources and activities of the Coordination group for renewable energy sources of the Energy Community Secretariat.

In her introductory speech, Ms. Sanja Kapetina, expert advisor for development of the electric power systems within the Ministry of the Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, stated that  “The Ministry initiated the development of this Working group in order to improve the situation in field of renewable energy sources, fulfill international obligations and, in cooperation with responsible institutions, jointly defined areas for provision of technical assistance by UNDP BiH, GIZ and USAID EIA projects based on the real needs of the institutions”.

Around 20 representatives of relevant ministries and public institutions from the state and entity level in field of energy (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ministry of industry, energy and mining of Republika Srpska, Regulatory Commission for Energy of Republika Srpska, MH “Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske” – Operator of incentive system, Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, Regulatory Commission for Energy in Federation of BiH and Operator for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration in Federation of BiH) incuding the represetnatives of USAID EIA, UNDP and GIZ projects attended the meeting.