Survey launched to examine experts’ positions on energy policy priorities in the region

A survey of experts’ positions on energy policy priorities in the region has been launched as part of the Renewable Energy Policy Consensus REPCONS regional project, implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia.

The survey is part of the project officially launched in a meeting in Belgrade in June. REPCONS is financed by the European Climate Foundation and implemented by civil society organizations from the three countries. It is aimed at facilitating energy transition through a greater utilization of renewable energy sources (RES).

Maja Turković, RES expert: We expect a high response rate from our peers

We are facing major challenges in the region when it comes to creating an environment prepared to support energy transition to a low-carbon economy. This is especially important for the inert energy sector, burdened by numerous barriers to renewables uptake. We believe that the expert community’s role is immeasurable, but that experts are insufficiently involved in energy policymaking in the region. We expect a high response rate from our peers.

The survey will cover experts on power grids and systems and renewable energy sources, as well as younger experts – the ones who should carry out energy transition in the coming decades. The following documents, developed under the Western Balkans Energy Transition Dialogue (WeBET) project, were used in the preparation of the questionnaire:

• Energy transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Analysis of barriers and a proposal of measures for accelerated development of renewable energy sources Part 1 – Political aspects of transition; Analysis of barriers and a proposal of measures for accelerated development of renewable energy sources Part 2 – Technical, administrative, and economic aspects of transition
• Derisking study 2019_Executive Summary
• Southeast European power system in 2030

Mirza Kušljugić, expert on power grids and systems: Experts’ position needed on RES system integration

The renewables share targets for countries in the region, currently negotiated with the Energy Community, indicate that the largest increases will be needed in the power generation sector. The continually decreasing costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind power equipment imply that these technologies will have the largest shares if the lowest transition cost principle is applied. Since these renewable energy sources are variable and intermittent and are given grid priority, their efficient system integration is becoming the key challenge in achieving the set targets. The aim of this project is for experts in the region to form a position on this technically and economically challenging problem, by applying systematic research, and for this position to be used in the planning process for National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

The questionnaire for the research has four sections. The first comprises questions about strategic positions on energy transition in the region, including one on technologies that should be used for the power system decarbonization. The second focuses on barriers to accelerated development of variable renewable energy, specifically the technical and market barriers.

The third section comprises questions about economic and financial challenges concerning the development of variable renewable energy, which experts will be able to answer by providing opinions on de-risking measures. The fourth section looks into how regional cooperation could help bolster RES development.

Đorđije Vulikić, executive director, CLEAN: Answers to challenges need to be offered

Montenegro, like the entire region, is in the process of an accelerated energy transition. In the past few years alone, we have witnessed the construction of numerous new renewable energy facilities. And this trend is constantly accelerating. However, even this broadly positive development in the region’s energy sector brings many unknowns, challenges, and often shortcomings that need to be recognized in a timely manner and answers offered. In that sense, the research can have an added value of getting a structured, comprehensive view of all the important elements concerning renewables in the region, primarily from experts in the field, but also other stakeholders.

“The project is utilizing the Delphi method, based on opinions of people that have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. The method envisages a targeted inclusion of experts in the field, while others interested in the topic will be able to make their contribution by taking part in three national conferences,” according to the Development Association NERDA based in Tuzla, BiH, which is the lead project partner.

The implementing partners are the Association for Sustainable Development (ASOR) from Serbia, the Climate and Energy Action Network – CLEAN from Montenegro, and the Centre for Promotion of Sustainable Development (CPOR) from Serbia, which is the project’s media partner.