The 4th Balkan Solar Summit Concludes
Key question of this year’s Summit: Can Bosnia and Herzegovina obtain an exemption for electricity in relation to CBAM? Today, the fourth Balkan Solar Summit concluded at the Banski Dvor, with a full hall on both days of the event, audience comments, panelists providing real answers, and a clearly defined path we will follow until the next edition. As expected, the greatest attention was drawn by the panel titled “CBAM AND ETS – A NEW REALITY FOR EXPORTERS”, because as of 1 January 2026 the regulation has officially changed. The CBAM-focused panel featured a very dynamic and substantive discussion on the key challenges this mechanism brings for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries of the region. Special attention was given to the possibility of an exemption for electricity, with panelists presenting differing views on whether the countries of the region—including Bosnia and Herzegovina—will manage to meet the prescribed conditions to obtain it. “It was concluded that Bosnia and Herzegovina can expect an intensification of activities in the coming period to establish the necessary regulatory and institutional framework, as well as the continuation of dialogue with the European Commission and the Energy Community regarding CBAM and the possibilities of an exemption for electricity,” the panelists emphasized. A major discussion was also sparked by the panel “DATA CENTERS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES”. The moderator, Aljoša Pleić, stressed that data centers and electric vehicles are no longer “new consumption,” but rather a new industrial infrastructure that requires 24/7 clean, stable, and competitive power supply—thereby changing the rules of the game for renewables in the region. “The biggest opportunity has been recognized in ‘packaging’ solutions: large renewable-energy projects paired with batteries and contracts for 24/7 green energy, whereby new consumption can be turned into an acceleration of building green megawatts and decarbonization, instead of a new pressure and risk for the system,” he said. After the panel “HOW SUSTAINABILITY IS BECOMING THE GREATEST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN ENERGY”, moderator Danijela Isailović concluded—following the discussion—that investors across all countries in the region face problems that slow down the energy transition, while also blocking numerous jobs for contractors and equipment distributors, delaying new green megawatts on the grid; and thereby delaying tax revenues and many other benefits for the local community. “CBAM as an obligation in the region is not being taken seriously enough, and all of this is bringing industry into business difficulties, while green energy remains an untapped business opportunity,” she emphasized. CBAM remains a topic that the Balkan Solar Summit will continue to address in the period ahead. Moderator Prof. Dr. Nikola Rajaković, after the panel “FLEXIBLE CONNECTION AGREEMENTS”, concluded: “Balkan Solar Summit carefully and thoroughly reviewed almost all key trends in modern energy, with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies—especially solar. After the discussion, we noted that the energy transition is being slowed in part by geopolitical developments, but that the strategic commitment to decarbonization remains a long-term goal.” The Summit Director, Milena Mijatović, thanked all participants for their trust and stated: “Once again, we showed how important it is to bring together all the game changers of the region’s energy transition in one place, because only conversation and the exchange of experience deliver the solutions the market needs—now more than ever. I’m glad the word about the Summit has reached international guests as well, and we already have topics for the next Summit.” See how these two days unfolded on the Summit’s social media channels. All information about this year’s topics and speakers can be found at www.solarsummit.ba, where, in the coming days, individual conclusions from each panel will also be published.
Završen 4. Balkan Solar Summit s pitanjem: Može li BiH dobiti izuzeće za električnu energiju u vezi sa CBAM-om?
Danas je u Banskom Dvoru završen četvrti po redu Balkan Solar Summit, pred punom salom tokom oba dana trajanja summita, uz komentare iz publike, paneliste koji su davali prave odgovore, ali i definisan put kojim ćemo se kretati do narednog izdanja. Najviše pažnje, očekivano, izazvao je panel na temu „CBAM I ETS – NOVA REALNOST ZA IZVOZNIKE” jer se od 1.1.2026. regulativa i zvanično promijenila. Na panelu posvećenom CBAM-u vođena je vrlo dinamična i sadržajna diskusija o ključnim izazovima koje ovaj mehanizam donosi za Bosnu i Hercegovinu i zemlje regiona. Posebna pažnja bila je posvećena mogućnosti izuzeća za električnu energiju, pri čemu su panelisti iznijeli različita viđenja o tome da li će zemlje regiona, uključujući i Bosnu i Hercegovinu, uspjeti ispuniti propisane uslove za njegovo ostvarivanje. “Zaključeno je da Bosna i Hercegovina u narednom periodu očekuje intenziviranje aktivnosti na uspostavljanju potrebnog regulatornog i institucionalnog okvira, kao i nastavak dijaloga sa Evropskom komisijom i Energetskom zajednicom u vezi sa CBAM-om i mogućnostima izuzeća za električnu energiju” istakli su panelisti. Veliku diskuiju otvorio je i panel “DATA CENTRI I ELEKTRIČNA VOZILA”, a moderator, Aljoša Pleić, naglasio je da data centri i električna vozila više nisu “nova potrošnja”, nego nova industrijska infrastruktura koja traži 24/7 čisto, stabilno i konkurentno napajanje—i time mijenja pravila igre za obnovljive izvore u regiji. “Najveća prilika prepoznata je u “paketiranju” rješenja: veliki projekti OIE uz baterije i ugovore za 24/7 zelenu energiju, čime se nova potrošnja može pretvoriti u ubrzanje izgradnje zelenih megavata i dekarbonizaciju, umjesto u novi pritisak i rizik za sustav,” istakao je on. Nakon panela „KAKO ODRŽIVOST POSTAJE NAJVEĆA POSLOVNA PRILIKA U ENERGETICI“ moderator Danijela Isailović zaključila je, nakon diskusije, da se investitori u svim državama regiona suočavaju sa problemima koji usporavaju energetsku tranziciju, ali i blokiraju broine poslove za izvođače radova, distributere opreme, odlažu nove zelene megavate na mreži; a time i naplatu poreza i brojne druge benefite za lokalnu zajednicu. „CBAM kao obaveza u regionu nije dovoljno ozbiljno shvaćena i sve to dovodi industriju u poslovne neprilike, dok zelena energija ostaje kao neiskorištena poslovna šansa,“ istakla je ona. CBAM ostaje tema kojom će se i Balkan Solar Summit baviti u narednom periodu. Moderator prof.dr. Nikola Rajaković, nakon panela „ FLEKSIBILNI UGOVORI ZA PRIKLJUČAK“ zaključio je: „Balkan Solar Summit je pažljivo i detaljno sagledao gotovo sve ključne trendove savremene energetike sa naglaskom na tehnologijama obnovljivih izvora energije, posebno solare. Konstatovali smo, nakon diskusije, da je energetskatranzicija sporena delom i zbog geopolitičkih dešavanja, ali da strateško opredeljenje za dekorbanizacijom ostaje dugoročni cilj.“ Direktorica Summita, Milena Mijatović zahvalila se svim učesnicima na povjerenju i istakla: „Još jednom smo pokazali koliko je važno na jednom mjestu okupiti sve game changere energetske tranzicije regiona, jer samo razgovor i razmjena iskustava donose rješenja koja su potrebna tržištu, sada više nego ikada. Drago mi je što je glas o summitu stigla i do inostranih gostiju, a mi teme za naredni summit već imamo,“ Kako je bilo u ova dva dana pogledajte na društvenim mrežama summita. Sve informacije ovogodišnjim temama i govornicima potražite na www.solarsummit.ba gdje će se, u narednim danima, naći i pojedinačni zaključci svakog panela.
The 4th Balkan Solar Summit Officially Opened in Banja Luka!
For the fourth time, the Balkan Solar Summit has demonstrated just how important the topic of energy transition is to the market—not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but across the entire region. This year once again, the ceremonial hall of Banski Dvor was filled to capacity, and the opening itself featured Roby the robot, who addressed the topic of artificial intelligence and pointed out that, despite all of his knowledge, he still would not be able to organize such an event on his own. “We are not afraid of the arrival of artificial intelligence, because this gathering itself is proof that networking, conversation, and the exchange of ideas still come first on the path of development, especially within the topics addressed by the Balkan Solar Summit,” said Milena Mijatović, CEO of the Summit, at the opening of the 4th Balkan Solar Summit. Those in attendance were also addressed by ministers of the Government of Republika Srpska, Zlatan Klokić and Petar Đokić, as well as Vedran Lakić, a minister in the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. More than 400 experts, industry leaders, investors, and key stakeholders are attending the fourth Balkan Solar Summit with the goal of creating concrete solutions aligned with regional and European standards, positioning the Balkan Solar Summit as the central platform for dialogue on energy transition in the region. “The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a proud patron of the Balkan Solar Summit from the very beginning, in coordination and cooperation with the relevant ministries from Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am pleased to point out that even in the very first years we recognized the importance of this initiative and its potential to become a key regional platform for dialogue on energy transition, confirming that Banja Luka and Republika Srpska are regional centers for discussion on these important issues,” emphasized Staša Košarac, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, as he officially declared the Balkan Solar Summit open. The most prominent figures from the energy sector are attending the Balkan Solar Summit, all with the aim of connecting and potentially reaching joint agreements on possible investments. Because while the Balkan Solar Summit is taking place, Banja Luka becomes the business hub of the energy transition. You can view the Balkan Solar Summit program at solarsummit.ba. The Summit is organized under the high patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry for European Integration and International Cooperation of the Government of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska, as well as Elnos Group, with the support of other companies and organizations.
U Banjaluci svečano otvoren 4. Balkan Solar Summit!
Balkan Solar Summit je četvrti put dokazao koliko je tržištu, ne samo BiH, već i regije, važna tema energetske tranzicije. Svečana sala Banskog dvora i ove godine ispunjena je do posljednjeg mjesta, a samom otvaranju pridružio se i robot Roby koji je obradio temu vještačke inteligencije, ali i istakao da on, bez obzira na sva znanja, ne bi mogao sam organizovati ovakav događaj. „Mi se ne bojimo dolaska vještačke inteligencije, jer i ovo okupljanje dokaz je da je i dalje umrežavanje, razgovor i razmjena ideja na prvom mjestu razvojnog puta posebno u okviru tema kojima se bavi Balkan Solar Summit“ rekla je Milena Mijatović, CEO Summita na otvaranju 4. Balkan Solar Summita. Prisutnima su se obratili i ministri u Vladi Republike Srpske, Zlatan Klokić i Petar Đokić, kao i Vedran Lakić, ministar u Vladi FBiH. Četvrtom Balkan Solar Summit prisustvuje više od 400 stručnjaka, industrijskih lidera, investitora i ključnih aktera sa ciljem kreiranja konkretnih rješenja usklađenih sa regionalnim i evropskim standardima, što “Balkan Solar Summit” pozicionira kao centralno mjesto dijaloga o energetskoj tranziciji u regionu. “Ministarstvo spoljne trgovine i ekonomskih odnosa BiH je ponosni pokrovitelj Balkan Solar Samita od samog početka, u koordinaciji i saradnji sa nadležnim ministarstvima iz Republike Srpske i Federacije BiH. Zadovoljstvo mi je istaći da smo već u prvim godinama prepoznali značaj ove inicijative i njen potencijal da postane ključna regionalna platforma za dijalog o energetskoj tranziciji, potvrđujući da su Banjaluka i Republika Srpska regionalni centri za diskusiju o ovim važnim pitanjima.”, istakao je ministar spoljne trgovine i ekonomskih odnosa Staša Košarac proglašavajući Balkan Solar Summit otvorenim. Najvažniji ljudi iz energetskog sektora prisustvuju Balkan Solar Summitu sve to s ciljem povezivanja i potencijalnog ostvarivanja zajedničkih dogovora o mogućim investicijama. Jer dok traje Balkan Solar Summit – Banjaluke postaje biznis centar energetske tranzicije. Program Balkan Solar Summita možete pogledati na solarsummit.ba, a summit je organizovan pod visokim pokroviteljstvom Ministarstva spoljne trgovine i ekonomskih odnosa Bosne i Hercegovine, Ministarstva za evropske integracije i međunarodnu saradnju Vlade Republike Srpske, Ministartstva energetike i rudarstva RS, kao i kompanije Elnos group i podršku drugih kompanija i organizacija.