Renewable energy sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina have significant physical potential regarding to renewable energy sources and belongs to the list of the countries which can develop their energy sector mainly based on that. Due to that hydro, biomass, geothermal, wind and solar potential can play important role in the whole state economy in the forthcoming period.

Regarding to small hydro, some analysis says that theoretically water power of B&H amounts 99,256 GWh/year, technical water power potential of 356 small and big HPP (which may be built) amounts to 23,395 GWh/year, out of which 2,599 GWh/year is in small HPP. From that amount around 77% is in Republic of Srpska (RS) and 23% is in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H).

Real potential for wind energy in B&H is still not fully estimated. Some estimations related to 16 macro-locations under investigations goes says that total estimated installed capacity can be 720 to 950 MW, which can produce 1440 to 1950 GWh, annually [4]. It is important to emphasize that the existing infrastructure offers adequate conditions for connecting possible locations to the grid, as the high — and medium-voltage network is well developed.

Theoretical potential of the solar energy in B&H amounts 74.65 PWh. Technical potential amounts 190.277,80 GWh, that is 6.2 times more than quantity of energy out of totally balance needs for the primary energy in FB&H during 2000 [4]. Despite this, the use of solar energy is insignificant and the exploitation of solar energy with flat-plate collectors is also limited.

It is difficult to estimate total B&H’s physical and technical geothermal potential. All estimates are mainly based on some experimental drills and theoretical investigations, and according to that temperatures at the known locations in north and central part of the country are between 54 and 85°C. This temperature level is relatively low for electricity generation, but it is interesting for district heating systems.