BiH’s power utility EPBiH to provide ESCO services for solar power installations

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda BiH intends to invest BAM 2.1 billion (EUR 1.07 billion) over the 2025-2027 period. It will put the first solar power plants on the roofs of its buildings and start providing ESCO services for the installation of photovoltaic facilities, according to the three-year business plan.

Shareholders of Elektroprivreda BiH (EPBiH) have adopted the 2025-2027 business plan at the 85th extraordinary general meeting.

According to the plan, the company would achieve profit all three years. Of note, EPBiH suffered a record loss in 2023, of EUR 169 million, while it has projected a BAM 21.2 million (EUR 10.08 million) loss for 2024.

The planned profit in 2025 is BAM 1.6 million (EUR 818.000), compared to BAM 4.7 million (EUR 2.4 million) for next year and BAM 2 million (EUR 1.02 million) for 2027.

The main drivers of income this year would be increased electricity prices, the transition of some customers from public supply to the market, higher production plan for electricity and a significant increase in income from trade, the document reads.

Almost BAM 800 million (EUR 409 million) is missing for investments

EPBiH intends to invest BAM 2.1 billion (EUR 1.07 billion) in production facilities over the next three years. It is an increase of BAM 400 million (EUR 205 million) from the 2024-2026 business plan.

Investments would be funded by BAM 853 million (EUR 436 million) from loans, BAM 454 million (EUR 232 million) from own sources, and BAM 11 million (EUR 5.6 million) from donations, the plan reveals.

The company acknowledged it needs to secure almost BAM 800 million (EUR 409 million) for all investments. It said it would install two wind farms including Vlašić and several solar power plants such as the Gračanica facility.

To secure sustainable transition and operations of the mining sector, the company’s most important and priority goal is an upgrade of coal power plants Tuzla and Kakanj, together with desulfurization and denitrification projects for them, the plan reads.

EPBiH bagged its first ESCO deal

In line with its strategic goal to significantly increase the share of electricity production from renewable sources, the company would continue the purchase of renewable energy facilities in operation and projects under praparation. It also intends to purchase or lease land suitable for the construction of PV systems.

In addition, activities and investments in already identified solar energy projects are planned as a development opportunity including the construction of rooftop PV plants on EPBiH’s structures.

A pilot solar facility with a battery will be inaugurated by the end of March

The installation of the first pilot rooftop PV plant at one of the company’s buildings, of 10 kW and with a battery unit of 10 kWh, has been contracted. The commissioning is expected before the end of the first quarter of this year, according to the plan.

EPBiH also plans to start providing ESCO services for the construction of solar power plants for customers in its public supply mechanism, which would add green electricity to its network. It already signed the first contract, with a local authority, for an 80 kW PV plant at a sports hall, with commissioning planned by the end of 2025, the plan shows.

Of note, neighboring Croatia’s state-owned power utility Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP Group) introduced similar services in 2019.