Western Balkans has enough planned solar and wind power plants to abandon gas

According to a new report from Global Energy Monitor, countries of the Western Balkans have enough prospective utility-scale solar and wind projects to generate four times more electricity than from gas-fired plants, saving billions of euros and avoiding significant carbon emissions in the process.

Data in the Global Wind and Solar Power Trackers show that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Kosovo territory, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia collectively hold a combined 23 GW of prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity, which is 70% more than a year ago and comparable to the prospective capacity in Germany.

The report says that, while Serbia currently boasts the largest share of operating (444 megawatts, or 29%) and prospective (10.9 GW, or 47%) utility-scale solar and wind capacity in the region, it risks falling behind as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have outpaced it in adding new capacity over the past few years.

The region’s operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity accounts for just 7% of the regional electricity mix (1.5 GW). At the same time, only 6% (1.3 GW) of prospective capacity is under construction and very likely to become operational.

The necessary measures

The report says that, in order to unlock this potential, governments need to address barriers associated with planning and permitting, and develop supportive legal frameworks and complementary infrastructure to build up a clean and flexible grid. Renewables zoning should be done with rigorous environmental safeguards, to reduce trade-offs with nature and biodiversity. Local communities should also be actively involved in, and benefit from the projects.

– The Western Balkans are in a unique position because the region isn’t already shackled to gas infrastructure. Wind and solar are low hanging fruit, and choosing renewables is a greener move that makes economic sense. But more political will is needed domestically, and the EU and U.S. should champion the region’s clean energy potential rather than backing expensive, polluting gas – Zhanaiym Kozybay, co-author of the report and researcher for Global Energy Monitor.

– This accelerated shift to renewables is a very welcome step, but we must ensure that it is done democratically. Governments should create enabling frameworks to facilitate the growth of energy communities. Project developers should also open part of their projects to shares by local citizens and communities. This would offer a new source of revenue to many households, providing much needed economic prospects especially to communities in ex-coal areas – said Chris Vrettos, project manager at the European Federation of Energy Communities, REScoop.eu.

– After years of over-reliance on climate-vulnerable hydropower, it’s gratifying to see solar and wind finally accelerating in the Western Balkans. The challenge now is to speed up improvements in spatial planning, environmental assessments and public participation, to prevent biodiversity damage and build public support – said Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe energy policy officer at Bankwatch.

Global Energy Monitor

Global Wind

Solar Power Trackers

Chris Vrettos

Pippa Gallop

Zhanaiym Kozybay

solar power plants

wind farms

gas