Hydro-energy is currently the most feasible renewable energy source in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in comparison to other renewable energy sources. However, according to estimates, only 40% of its potential is now used.
The country is fully sovereign in electricity generation, thanks to its extensive hydropower potential, as hydropower energy occupies about 40% in overall power generation mix in Bosnia. In addition, some of the electricity produced is exported to neighbouring countries.
According to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) planned number of HPPs < 10MW in 2020 equals 162
State hydropower producer Hidroelektrane na Trebisnjici (HET) planned to make investments worth 18.64 million marka (9.5 million euro) in 2019
International banks including the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), are funding hundreds of hydropower projects
By the beginning of 2019, a total of 17,873 GWh of electricity was generated in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The second most important power source was local hydropower plants, which produced 6,300 GWh corresponding to almost 50% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's electricity consumption
The government and the Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) say boosting hydropower is key to reducing regional dependency on coal and to falling in line with European Union energy policies
In 2019, BiH just started working on an integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for the period 2021-2030 (with the long-term goal of de-carbonisation until 2050) in order to align with EU energy and climate policies