The countries of the Western Balkans may soon be able to give up gas, thanks exclusively to solar and wind power plants, according to a new report by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
Solar and wind power projects that have been announced or are in pre-construction or construction stages in the Western Balkans have a total capacity of 23 GW, which is enough to produce four times more electricity than gas-fired power plants.
Also, solar and wind energy could reduce CO2 emissions by 103 million tons during its lifetime and save over nine billion euros in energy costs.
According to the GEM report, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia together have the potential to build solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 23 GW, which is 70 percent more than a year ago and is comparable to the potential capacities in Germany. .
Although Serbia can currently boast the largest share of operating power plants (444 MW, or 29 percent), as well as the largest solar and wind energy potential in the region (10.9 GW, or 47 percent), our country risks falling behind Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, which surpassed it in adding new capacities in the last few years.
Whether the Western Balkans will really use their potential in terms of solar and wind energy to a greater extent depends on the governments and legislative frameworks that should facilitate the planning of construction and the issuing of permits, according to GEM.
The operational capacities of solar and wind power plants in the region make up only seven percent of the regional energy mix (1.5 GW), while only six percent of the potential capacities (1.3 GW) are under construction and are highly likely to become operational.
According to the co-author of the report, Žanaim Kozibai, the Western Balkans is in a unique position because the region is not too dependent on gas infrastructure, so investing in renewable energy sources represents a more sustainable move that makes economic sense.
“Nevertheless, more political will is needed in the countries of the region, as well as greater support from the EU and the US, which should advocate for the potential of clean energy in the region, and not support expensive, polluting gas,” said Kozibai.
GEM states that the zoning of renewable energy sources should be carried out with rigorous environmental protection measures, in order to reduce the negative impact on nature and biodiversity. They also add that local communities should be actively involved in projects and benefit from them.
Milena Maglovski
Source: energetskiportal.rs
