Mostar to become first city in BiH with solar power plant for self-consumption

Mostar intends to become the first city in Bosnia and Herzegovina to install a solar power plant for its own consumption.

The City of Mostar was the first in BiH to propose the construction of a solar power plant for self-consumption, Mayor Mario Kordić said.

Of note, a few weeks ago, the Sarajevo Canton announced a similar initiative – to establish a public company for the production of electricity from renewables. Mostar has apparently taken the idea a step further.

Kordić said the decision to build a photovoltaic plant was made based on an analysis of potential solar power production based on the number of sun hours and fluctuations in electricity prices at the global level.

The city wants to reduce electricity costs

According to the mayor, the solar power plant would consist of five units of 12 MW each or 60 MW in total. The city authorities have estimated the capacity would significantly reduce the costs for the public lighting system and other electricity consumption.

Mostar is currently in the process of obtaining the permits for the start of construction, which is planned for this year, Kordić said.

Solar panels are conquering the region

The installation of solar panels for self-consumption is spreading fast in the region, triggered by the energy crisis. Electricity prices have jumped as much as sevenfold. Governments mostly acknowledged the needs and benefits and enabled the expansion in the sector.

The interest of households and companies to become prosumers is clear, however the examples of Sarajevo and Mostar demonstrate that local authorities also see solar panels as a good opportunity to lower costs. It remains to be seen whether they will succeed.

In particular, the Government of the Canton of Sarajevo has accepted the initiative of its Ministry of Economy to study the socio-economic feasibility of setting up a public company for the production of electricity from renewables.