25-11-2024
EU, EBRD, and KfW discuss scaling up investments in energy efficiency in the Western Balkans
The Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) established by the Western Balkans Investment Framework remain...
The transition to sustainable and clean energy is essential for the region’s future. A strong emphasis is placed on integrating energy markets, smart grids, increased system digitalisation and energy efficiency, including modernising district heating and energy security and ensuring a just transition. Decarbonisation and increased use of renewable energy sources are key pillars of the Economic Investment Plan (EIP) and align with the Green Agenda's aims for the Western Balkans.
Clean energy is WBIF’s second most active area of intervention, accounting for 15% of the total WBIF grants and 21% of the project portfolio in the public sector. Renewable energy, energy efficiency and performant electricity transmission interconnections are primary funding beneficiaries.
Overall, clean energy benefitted from 21 EIP flagship investments in 2020-2024, which directed €1.8 billion towards investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electricity transmission. The WBIF contributed €386.7 million in grants to these investments, of which €380.2 million was EU IPA funding and €6.5 million was Bilateral Donor funding. The EIP flagship investments endorsed in 2020-2024 support the transition from highly polluting coal to more sustainable energy sources. The focus is on renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, low-carbon transition, and performant electricity transmission lines. These investments' contribution to decarbonising energy production and consumption is critical to delivering on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and avoiding potentially negative consequences of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
25-11-2024
The Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) established by the Western Balkans Investment Framework remain...
17-10-2024
Funds to enable connection of 1.2 GW of new renewable sources in southeast region, advancing the country’s gre...
03-10-2024
Autumn brings the updated WBIF factsheets, including the latest figures and project examples.
Through the Economic and Investment Plan, the support in the field of energy will be reinforced. Strong emphasis will be put on energy market integration, decarbonisation and clean energy, just transition, increased digitalisation of the system and smart grids, energy efficiency, including modernisation of district heating, and energy security. These are the key pillars of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans in line with the aims of the Green Agenda. Participation in the Energy Community Treaty provides a clear policy framework and bears the potential for regional growth through multi-country projects, and by tapping into the region’s large renewable energy and energy efficiency potential. WBIF support is oriented to the Plan’s priorities: Flagship 4 - Renewable energy, Flagship 5 - Transition from coal, Flagship 6 - Renovation wave.
Read MoreTransition from coal to sustainable and clean energy in line with the aims of the European Green Deal.
Extension of the Energy Union to the Western Balkans for a successful clean energy transition in the region.
Environmentally sound investments in hydro, solar, wind and geothermal sources.
The “Coal regions in transition platform" to support inclusive transition strategies.
Widely available, secure and affordable source of energy that will keep the region competitive.
A refurbished building stock will help pave the way for a decarbonised and clean energy system.
Acceleration of the integration of Central and South Eastern European gas and electricity markets.
Further boost to technology transfer, and access to world-class research infrastructure.
2008-2023
2024-2030
Energy CommunityThe Energy Community is an international organisation which brings together the European Union and its neighbours to create an integrated pan-European energy market. The organisation was founded by the Treaty establishing the Energy Community signed in October 2005 in Athens, Greece, in force since July 2006. The key objective of the Energy Community is to extend the EU internal energy market rules and principles to countries in South East Europe, the Black Sea region and beyond on the basis of a legally binding framework.
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Connectivity Agenda(2015-2020)
In 2015, the European Commission set aside up to €1 billion in grants until 2020, from the EU Pre-Accession Instrument, to support the connectivity agenda. In November 2020 at the summit in Sofia, the Western Balkan leaders welcomed the 2020 connectivity package with six projects in the areas of sustainable transport and clean energy. This package completes the delivery of the EU’s 2015 pledge, while at the same time constitutes the first step towards the implementation of the flagship projects of the Economic and Investment Plan.
Read More12-12-2024
WBIF Kostolac Wind Farm Serbia (December 2024)
09-10-2024
WBIF Albania - North Macedonia Power Interconnection Factsheet (October 2024)
09-10-2024
WBIF Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor Factsheet (October 2024)
