As of 2024, fossil fuels dominate electricity generation in Bosnia & Herzegovina, accounting for more than 63% of the total electricity mix, primarily driven by coal with a substantial share of over 62%. Low-carbon energy sources contribute a smaller yet significant portion, with more than a third of electricity coming from these sustainable options. Hydropower is the leading low-carbon source, producing almost 33% of electricity. Meanwhile, solar and wind energy provide modest contributions at slightly over 2% and about 1.5%, respectively. This reveals a substantial reliance on coal but also a foundational presence of low-carbon electricity generation that could be expanded.
Is Electricity Growing in Bosnia & Herzegovina?
Currently, electricity consumption in Bosnia & Herzegovina is on a downturn. The latest data indicate per capita electricity usage has decreased to 4794 kWh, which is notably lower than the 2021 record of 5674 kWh. This decline mirrors the reduction in low-carbon electricity, which also fell from 2213 kWh per person in 2021 to 1768 kWh in 2024. This decline is a critical point of concern, as increased electricity consumption and the growth of low-carbon generation are essential to meet economic and environmental objectives.
Suggestions
Bosnia & Herzegovina can learn from countries that have effectively expanded their low-carbon electricity. For instance, regions like Slovakia and Ukraine have robust nuclear energy sectors, contributing more than half of their electricity. Neighboring Slovenia has also made significant strides with nuclear energy accounting for 34% of its electricity generation. By investing in nuclear energy, Bosnia & Herzegovina could diversify its low-carbon portfolio and reduce reliance on coal. Furthermore, increasing solar energy capacity could follow Greece's example, where solar energy forms 21% of electricity generation, highlighting a valuable path towards sustainable growth.
History
Historically, hydropower in Bosnia & Herzegovina has seen varying development stages. In the early 1990s, annual changes were moderate with a significant dip in 1992, followed by a steady increase until the late 1990s. The early 2000s marked some growth, while the mid-2010s experienced notable fluctuations, including a decline in 2011 and then a recovery in 2013. More recent years have been unpredictable, with changes in hydropower generation showcasing ongoing instability, like a drop in output in 2022 followed by an increase and then another slight decline in 2024. Addressing these fluctuations could bolster hydropower's stable contribution to the electricity mix, reinforcing its role in a clean energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.