Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina One Step Closer to World Trends on Using Biomass Energy

13/12/2011 - As a continuance of activities within the framework of UNDP GEF project “Bosnia and Herzegovina Biomass Energy for Employment and Energy Security – Biomass” Inaugural Assembly of the association “Biomass in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was organized and held in Banja Luka following the first workshop on forming the association “Biomass in BiH” held in Sarajevo on November 2^nd, 2011.

More than 20 companies/persons have signed the Founding Document and established the basic structures necessary for functioning of the Association, as Statute of the Association, President, Supervisory and Management Board.  Founders include consulting companies, producers of energy, technology or biomass fuel, as well as individual private entrepreneurs and non government organizations from entire BiH which deal with renewable energy resources.

Establishing the Association represents one of Biomass project activities directed towards establishing sustainable biomass market and enhancing the cooperation between sector representatives and authorities, international organizations and similar associations.

Chambers of Commerce of FBiH and RS have shown their support to founding of the association through their representatives.

Mrs. Šemsa Alimanović, representative from Chamber of Commerce of FBiH stated the following:  “I am glad that I was able to contribute even a little to work around founding of the association of Biomass in BiH.  Chamber system supports founding of the association of Biomass in BiH and will be available for future activities.  Motivation for obtaining energy from renewable energy sources is a trend in the European Union, where energy from biomass also belongs.  Potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina is abundant in forestry and wood processing as well as in agriculture.  Using renewable energy sources will create employment which represents a joint goal for all of us.”

Mr. Lazo Šinik, representative from RS Chamber of Commerce emphasized in his speech the significance of all activities undertaken on founding the association “Biomass in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, because Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant amounts of biomass starting from forest residue, through residue from wood processing industry, up to residue from agricultural production.  This potential represents solid foundations for production of bio-fuel and bio-gas which can be turned into heating and electric energy in cogeneration plants.  He also stated that, having in mind that EU directive 28/09 foresees that by the year 2020, 20% of totally produced energy comes from renewable energy sources, and by the year 2030, 30% of energy needs have to come from biomass energy and to achieve a growth in energy efficiency by 10%, it is necessary to expedite the activities on forming the association as well as to start with production of electric and heating energy from renewable sources, meaning biomass, as soon as possible.  Mr. Šinik concluded:

“Production of energy from renewable sources will reduce the costs of business activities, increase gross national product and number of employed individuals, and most importantly it will protect the environment”.

It is considered that by forming the Association, biomass sector and interests of local producers and sector representative will be better represented in country and abroad, and that this merger will provide better stand for achieving goals – sustainable development based on rational need for renewable energy sources, local energy security and local biomass market, creation of employment opportunities and cleaner environment.  Association will make Bosnia and Hercegovina closer to world trends in expoitation of renewable energy sources.