On December 17, 2024, the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs and the Embassy of Hungary in Sarajevo hosted the fourth stop of the second season of the BBF on Tour program series in Banja Luka. The invitation-only event, held within the framework of the Hungarian EU Presidency, focused on the theme of energy security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and its broader regional implications. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Krisztián Pósa, Ambassador of Hungary in Sarajevo, who emphasized the significance of hosting a BBF on Tour event in Banja Luka following the series’ success in Sarajevo. He also expressed his gratitude for bringing the BBF on Tour back to Bosnia and Herzegovina, underlining its importance in fostering dialogue on critical regional issues.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Sanja Kapetina, Head of the Department for Secondary Energy and Projects at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Boris Lubarda, Head of the Department for General Electric Power and Energy Efficiency at the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska. Sanja Kapetina emphasized that energy security is a cornerstone of the European Union (EU)’s agenda, particularly amid geopolitical tensions during the transition to renewable energy. Highlighting BiH’s commitment as a member of the Energy Community to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, she stressed the importance of diversifying the energy mix and strengthening regional cooperation. While BiH benefits from a substantial share of hydropower and coal-based energy, Kapetina noted the challenges of outdated natural gas infrastructure reliant on Russian imports. She outlined the country’s comprehensive energy strategy, which prioritizes economic stability, energy independence, and environmental sustainability. Kapetina underscored the need for investments in renewable sources, particularly solar energy, as well as modernization of infrastructure to ensure a competitive and resilient energy future.
Boris Lubarda provided a broader perspective on the long-term planning required for energy security. He noted that BiH’s energy infrastructure, largely inherited from Yugoslav times, has made the country dependent on petroleum imports due to a lack of domestic oil sources. Stressing BiH’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sofia Declaration, Lubarda highlighted the necessity of securing an affordable and reliable energy supply as a foundation for development. He called for greater regional collaboration to harness BiH’s vast hydropower potential and develop joint gas storage facilities to enhance resilience. Lubarda concluded by reaffirming the critical role of government in ensuring energy security, enabling economic growth, and addressing competition in the domestic energy market.
Following the welcoming remarks and keynote speeches, the event continued with a Chatham House expert-level panel discussion, moderated by Julianna Ármás, Program Coordinator at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs. The panel featured Nina Sajić, Professor at the Institute of Political Science, University of Banja Luka; Péter Holicza, Deputy State Secretary for EU Affairs & International Relations of the Ministry of Energy of Hungary; and Professor Mustafa Musić from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo. The discussion explored pressing issues surrounding energy transition, regional cooperation, and the challenges faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina within the framework of EU energy policies.
Key topics included the feasibility of achieving the EU’s energy transition goals amid BiH’s reliance on coal-based capacities and the high costs of expanding renewable energy production, such as solar technology. The panel examined the similarities between Hungarian and Polish EU
Presidency programs, noting that the Western Balkans remains a distinguishing factor due to its unique challenges, including infrastructure bottlenecks and political obstacles to regional cooperation. Participants emphasized the potential for BiH to serve as a transit country for gas pipelines, but only if this aligns with the interests of political decision-makers and institutions. The need for decentralized and modernized infrastructure to ensure secure energy supplies was underscored, with potential integration of advanced technologies like AI for better management. Panellists also expressed uncertainty about whether the energy transition would realistically conclude by 2050, emphasizing the need for long-term collaboration and practical solutions to address regional challenges.