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.