The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into the transmission network is one of the key challenges of the energy transition, requiring urgent investment in infrastructure to prevent system instability caused by a large number of requests for solar and wind power plants.
The integration of RES represents one of the main challenges of the energy transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, seven solar and seven wind power plants are connected to the grid, with a total capacity of around 320 MW + 320 MW. At the same time, investor requests reach as much as 22,000 MW.
The existing transmission network has a capacity of about 4,500 MW and was largely built in the 1970s and 1980s. While it can currently accommodate part of the planned new capacity, it cannot handle the full 22,000 MW.
The main issue is not only the network within Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also the ability of neighboring systems to absorb and transmit surplus energy.
This topic will also be discussed at the Energy Summit Trebinje (SET) 2026, which begins on Wednesday in Trebinje. One of the panels will focus on investments in RES, record-high requests, and the challenges of connecting new facilities to the power grid.
Among the participants are Cvjetko Žepinić, executive director of Elektroprenos BiH, and Aleksandar Šukalo, director of Elnos Group from Banja Luka.
Enormous pressure on the grid
Žepinić stated that the pressure on the transmission network regarding RES connections is enormous, but mostly relates to the early stages of obtaining permits.
“However, the realization of planned projects is lacking. Currently, seven solar and seven wind projects are connected to the transmission network, with a total capacity of 320 megawatts each. On the other hand, requests amount to 22,000 megawatts,” Žepinić said.
He added that many investors are not progressing with projects as initially planned.
“We have 4,500 megawatts on the transmission network, built in the 1970s and 1980s, while requests reach 22,000 megawatts across various technologies—solar, wind, hydro, and even thermal power plants,” he said.
He emphasized that the network is currently not heavily loaded and can accept a significant portion of planned generation capacity, but not the full 22,000 MW.
“Even with upgrades, the bigger issue is where that energy would go—not just for us, but for neighboring systems to absorb and transmit it. That is an impossible mission,” Žepinić stressed.
Strong interest in renewable energy projects
Šukalo highlighted strong interest in renewable energy investments, particularly in wind and solar power plants.
“Many investors have recognized the opportunity in this sector. It is difficult to determine which of these numerous investments will actually be realized,” he said.
He noted that transmission companies, regulators, and authorities must identify priorities, given the large number of requests.
“We are talking about thousands of megawatts. It is important to approach network development in a realistic and rational way so that projects that do move forward can be integrated into the transmission system,” Šukalo added.
Sasha Šćekić, a member of the SET program committee, said the record number of connection requests is a positive and expected trend, driven by falling equipment prices for solar installations.
“Compared to the previous year, installed capacity in wind power grew by 25 percent, solar by 30 percent, and individual solar systems by as much as 62 percent,” Šćekić said.
He emphasized that installed capacity from wind and photovoltaic plants already exceeds 1,100 MW, while peak system demand is 2,209 MW. Total installed capacity stands at 5,547 MW, meaning renewables already represent a significant share.
While this trend helps achieve energy transition goals, it also creates serious challenges for the power system, particularly at lower voltage levels where capacity is already saturated.
“To enable further expansion, both quantitative and qualitative reconstruction of the network is needed, including investments in digitalization, automation, smart grids, and artificial intelligence, so that more sources can be integrated,” Šćekić said.
Battery systems as part of the solution
He added that regulations now allow the installation of battery systems within the power system.
“I expect more battery and hybrid systems—standard generation technologies combined with storage—especially given the decline in prices of such facilities,” he said, concluding that investments are needed both at the distribution level and in transmission networks, particularly at the 110 kV voltage level.
Elnos Group projects
Šukalo also pointed out that Elnos Group has implemented numerous investments, employing around 900 people across 18 markets in 15 European countries.
“We have built and participated in the development of a large number of RES projects. More than 1,000 MW is related to hydropower, over 150 solar power plants of various sizes in five countries, and more than 870 MW in wind power. These include all major wind parks in Serbia, as well as projects currently being developed in Montenegro,” Šukalo said.
Europe’s plans
Europe aims to generate around 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. However, nearly 40 percent of transmission lines are more than three decades old and require modernization, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
At this stage of the energy transition, the rapid growth of renewables is increasingly testing the limits of existing power infrastructure. As a result, the development of the grid has become just as important as building new renewable capacity. Companies with experience in both areas—such as Elnos Group—are positioned at the center of this transition.
Source: Glas Srpske
