EBRD improves stability of the power system in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide EUR 8,5 million for critical upgrades required for sustainable and efficient operation of the electricity transmission system in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

The beneficiary is the Independent System Operator of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ISO BiH), a state-owned company responsible for the operation of the electricity transmission grid in the country. The funds will be spent on replacement and upgrade of the outdated energy management system (EMS), the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and introduction of new IT systems. In line with the requirements of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) the necessary infrastructure will also be constructed.

"We are very appreciative of the EBRD’s commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s power sector. This is an important transaction for ISO BiH. It will lead to the modernisation of our systems and ensure that ISO is fully equipped to deal with the increased responsibility it will inherit as BiH implements the EU’s third energy package," said Josip Dolic, General Manager of ISO.

The investment will help create a competitive balancing and ancillary services market. The improvement of the power grid is expected to reduce both technical losses in the system and the carbon intensity of the BiH energy sector.

"This is an important project which will significantly improve the reliability of the country’s power system and reduce power losses and carbon emissions. It will help Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to meeting EU standards in the power sector," commented Ian Brown, Head of the EBRD office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The EBRD has invested over EUR 1,8 billion in more than 127 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the start of its operations in the country. The Bank invests mainly in infrastructure development, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and the strengthening of the financial sector.