Driving Energy Transition Forward: Reflections from the 3rd Conference on Citizen Energy Communities in Sarajevo
On December 10, 2024, Sarajevo became a hub for energy experts, policymakers, and advocates as it hosted the 3rd Regional Conference on Citizen Energy Communities, titled "Citizen Energy Communities – Why Is the Development and Democratization of the Transition Stalling?". Organized to address the critical challenges and opportunities in energy democratization, this event brought together over 70 representatives from local communities, ministries, NGOs, regulatory agencies, power companies, and international organizations.
Platform for Energy Transition (PET) was proud to play a pivotal role in this transformative event. Two of our co-founders actively contributed to the discussions:
Tanja Popovicki moderated the panel "Local Initiatives, Experiences, and Models for the Development of Citizen Energy Communities and Citizen Energy," featuring expert voices from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia.
Bojan Gajić participated as a panelist in the session "How Effective and Efficient Are Our Regional Legal Frameworks, and How Much Progress Have We Made in Implementation?" moderated by Jasminka Bjelavac from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This conference underscored the shared vision of advancing citizen-driven energy solutions while acknowledging the pressing barriers slowing progress.
Key Findings and Conclusions
The conference delved into the state of energy transition in the Western Balkans, highlighting the critical gaps in legislation, policy implementation, and community engagement. Here are the most pressing conclusions:
Incomplete Transposition of EU Directives
The countries of the Western Balkans have yet to fully transpose EU directives on community energy into their national legislation. These directives are essential to enabling citizens, local communities, and businesses to become equal participants and owners in the energy transition. While the EU continues to enhance its framework with new instruments supporting community energy, the Western Balkans risk falling further behind their European counterparts.Lack of Implementing Regulations
No country in the region has adopted regulations to establish Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Citizen Energy Communities (CECs). These advanced forms of community energy are critical for decentralizing, democratizing, and de-monopolizing the energy sector - the key pillars of a fair and efficient energy transition.Policy Bottlenecks
Despite some progress, energy policies in the region remain the primary obstacle to an efficient and sustainable transition. Representatives of legislative and executive authorities lack a clear vision, ambition, or strategy to drive the transition forward. Without action plans, updated legislative frameworks, and commitment to accelerated change, the region’s energy transition will remain stalled.Underrecognition of Citizen Energy
Decision-makers often fail to acknowledge the transformative potential of citizen energy initiatives at the local level. Concepts like prosumers, citizen energy communities, and renewable energy communities, along with small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of successful energy transitions worldwide but remain under-supported in the Western Balkans.The Need for Continuous Advocacy and Education
To overcome these barriers, there is a pressing need to maintain pressure on policymakers while fostering dialogue and education. Advocates must work tirelessly to engage all levels of decision-makers and push for the development of supportive legislation and strategies.
PET’s Commitment to Change
As active participants in this conference, PET reaffirmed its commitment to advancing citizen-driven energy solutions. By moderating key panels and contributing as expert voices, our members emphasized the importance of:
Strengthening local initiatives and models for energy democratization.
Ensuring regional legal frameworks align with EU directives and best practices.
Advocating for citizens and local communities as central players in the energy transition.
This conference was a vital step in addressing the systemic challenges slowing the energy transition in the Western Balkans. PET’s involvement highlights our dedication to fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building a sustainable future powered by citizens and communities.
Shaping the Future Together
The conclusions from the Sarajevo conference serve as a clarion call - the time to act is now. By accelerating the adoption of enabling regulations, supporting citizen energy initiatives, and advocating for a clear vision of transition, the Western Balkans can unlock the full potential of community energy.
At PET, we remain dedicated to our mission to drive energy democratization and empower citizens to lead the way. Let’s continue shaping the future of energy together.
