Bosnia, Kosovo, and Serbia have faced criticism from the Climate Action Network (CAN), an environmental NGO coalition in Europe, for their lack of concrete strategies in achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction goals outlined in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). The Western Balkan countries have reportedly fallen short of their NECP targets and have not taken substantial steps to transition away from coal, according to the CAN report.
The persistent reliance on outdated and inefficient coal-fired power plants in the region poses a significant obstacle to the necessary shift toward renewable energy sources, the report notes. The potential transition to fossil gas, as indicated in the NECPs, further complicates the move away from coal and undermines the implementation of carbon pricing policies, the report adds.
Bosnia, a major electricity exporter in the region, generates up to 60% of its power from coal, with the remainder primarily coming from hydro. While Bosnia's NECP sets a goal of a 43.6% share of renewable energy in its power production by 2030, the report highlights that detailed information on capacity scale, sectoral uptake, and comprehensive grid integration strategies are lacking.
In Kosovo, the NECP does not provide a comprehensive strategy for phasing out lignite, a type of soft coal abundant in the region. The report suggests that expectations for coal power plants to remain operational beyond 2040 indicate a critical gap in Kosovo's commitment to decarbonization.
Serbia, according to the report, should establish more ambitious energy efficiency targets in alignment with its commitment to becoming climate neutral by 2050. The CAN report underscores the need for these countries to address the gaps in their strategies, providing specific details and comprehensive plans for a successful transition to green energy.
