Key points
- The Western Balkans region boasts 23 gigawatts (GW) of prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity — projects announced or in the pre-construction and construction phases — nearly three-quarters more than a year ago and comparable to the prospective capacity in Germany.
- This potential buildout would generate four times more electricity than prospective gas-fired power plants over their lifetimes, and could render gas power obsolete in the region.
- A clean energy transition could avert 103 million tonnes in lifetime CO2 emissions — equal to 87% of the region’s CO2 emissions in 2022 — and save over €9 billion in energy costs.
Countries of the Western Balkans have enough prospective utility-scale solar and wind projects to generate four times more electricity than from gas-fired plants, saving billions of euros and avoiding significant carbon emissions in the process, according to a new report from Global Energy Monitor.
Data in the Global Wind and Solar Power Trackers show that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia collectively hold a combined 23 GW of prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity, which is 70% more than a year ago and comparable to the prospective capacity in Germany.
While Serbia currently boasts the largest share of operating (444 megawatts, or 29%) and prospective (10.9 GW, or 47%) utility-scale solar and wind capacity in the region, it risks falling behind as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have outpaced it in adding new capacity over the past few years.
Yet the region’s operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity accounts for just 7% of the regional electricity mix (1.5 GW). At the same time, only 6% (1.3 GW) of prospective capacity is under construction and very likely to become operational.
In order to unlock this potential, governments need to address barriers associated with planning and permitting, and develop supportive legal frameworks and complementary infrastructure to build up a clean and flexible grid. Renewables zoning should be done with rigorous environmental safeguards, to reduce trade-offs with nature and biodiversity. Local communities should also be actively involved in, and benefit from the projects.
For their part, the EU and U.S. need to embrace solar and wind instead of gas as an energy security measure to help the Western Balkans reach its full clean energy potential.
The Western Balkans are in a unique position because the region isn’t already shackled to gas infrastructure. Wind and solar are low hanging fruit, and choosing renewables is a greener move that makes economic sense. But more political will is needed domestically, and the EU and U.S. should champion the region’s clean energy potential rather than backing expensive, polluting gas.
Zhanaiym Kozybay, co-author of the report and researcher for Global Energy Monitor
Chris Vrettos, project manager at the European Federation of Energy Communities, REScoop.eu, said: "This accelerated shift to renewables is a very welcome step, but we must ensure that it is done democratically. Governments should create enabling frameworks to facilitate the growth of energy communities. Project developers should also open part of their projects to shares by local citizens and communities. This would offer a new source of revenue to many households, providing much needed economic prospects especially to communities in ex-coal areas."
Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe energy policy officer at Bankwatch, said, “After years of over-reliance on climate-vulnerable hydropower, it’s gratifying to see solar and wind finally accelerating in the Western Balkans. The challenge now is to speed up improvements in spatial planning, environmental assessments and public participation, to prevent biodiversity damage and build public support.”
