Home Blog Page 4

Climate Vulnerability in Bosnia and Herzegovina – What Awaits Urban Areas

Photo-illustration: Unsplash ( Markus Winkler)
Photo: courtesy of Predrag Ilić

The Institute for Protection and Ecology of Republika Srpska, with nearly half a century of experience, recognizes climate change and environmental pollution as some of the most serious challenges of our time. Through years of research and active participation in international projects, the Institute significantly contributes to improving environmental standards and protecting natural resources. The Institute’s director, Predrag Ilić, shared insights into their current projects, support for local communities, and educational initiatives aimed at children and youth, highlighting the broader societal importance of their work.

Q: What are the most significant climate challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina according to the Institute’s research?

A: Our country is facing a rapid increase in average temperatures and extreme events, increasingly frequent heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and sudden floods. Snow cover is decreasing, while cities are experiencing a rise in the urban heat island effect. Uneven distribution of rainfall further complicates water resource management, causing hydrological stress, water shortages in summer, and flash floods during winter and spring.

We are actively involved in the revitalisation of water bodies through projects such as WATER-GUIDE and BRIDGEWAT, while projects like RES2FIRE and FireSafe Jezero focus on prevention and education about the increasing risk of forest fires caused by climate change. There has also been a rise in airborne allergens, particularly ragweed pollen, which is monitored and analysed through the AllerShield project aimed at protecting public health. An additional challenge is the insufficient institutional and local preparedness for adapting to climate threats.

IN FOCUS:

Q: Which parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change?

A: According to the NAP – National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change, which provides the most detailed and up-to-date analysis of climate vulnerability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most vulnerable areas are those exposed to multiple climate risks, including floods, droughts, landslides, heatwaves, and land degradation. Vulnerability is particularly pronounced in the northeastern, central, and southern parts of the country.

Photo: Institute for Protection and Ecology of Republika Srpska

Northeastern Bosnia (including regions around Tuzla and Bijeljina) is prone to frequent flooding and is at high risk of landslides due to soil degradation and inadequate infrastructure. Central Bosnia and parts of the Sarajevo Canton face increased risks from torrential rains and urban flooding, especially in the context of more frequent extreme weather events. Southern Herzegovina, including the areas around Mostar and Trebinje, is confronted with extended periods of drought and a heightened risk of forest fires due to higher temperatures and reduced summer rainfall.

Additionally, lowland areas along the River Sava and its tributaries are among the most exposed to flood risks. In contrast, hilly and mountainous areas, although often rich in precipitation, have high geological vulnerability, especially to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. Urbanised areas such as Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Zenica, and Tuzla are increasingly experiencing heatwaves and air pollution, further exacerbating the health and infrastructure vulnerability of the population. The NAP document also highlights that institutional and technical vulnerabilities, such as poor spatial planning and limited water and waste management capacity, further worsen the situation in many municipalities.

Q: How does the Institute support municipalities and public institutions in building capacity to adapt to climate threats?

A: The Institute provides significant support to municipalities and public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina by helping build capacity for climate adaptation, relying on a multidisciplinary approach, expertise in analytical testing, and experience in implementing international projects. Through active participation in projects such as WATER-GUIDE and BRIDGEWAT (Horizon Europe), we organise educational workshops and training sessions that enable local governments and other stakeholders to understand climate risks related to water management and to develop adaptation plans aligned with EU directives and national strategies.

As part of its activities, the Institute has also contributed to the development of strategic documents such as BIH ESAP 2030+ (Environmental Strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina), through the creation of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, directly assisting public bodies in integrating climate aspects into policy planning and spatial development. Within the RES2FIRE project (Interreg Adrion) and the FireSafe Jezero programme (SDC), we conduct specialised training for managing forest fire risks, especially in highly vulnerable areas, and develop guidelines for interventions and preventive measures. In addition, through the CircleAware project, we provide technical and educational support for introducing circular waste management in local communities, thereby contributing to climate resilience through more sustainable use of resources.

Interview by Jasna Dragojević

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

The July Wildfire Wave In Serbia – An Alarm We Must Not Ignore

Photograph: Unsplash/Mary Hammel

In July 2025, Serbia faced one of the most severe wildfire waves in its recent history. Although forest and field fires are not usually expected every summer to the extent, they are common in certain parts of the Mediterranean; this year’s statistics show a serious increase in our country. Extreme heat, with days above 40 degrees Celsius, combined with prolonged drought and windy weather, created highly favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires across the country.

The culmination occurred on July 7, when, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. alone, more than 620 open-space fires were recorded. Fires appeared in landfills, forests, agricultural fields, orchards, and around houses and auxiliary buildings. Under such conditions, firefighting units were under enormous pressure and at the edge of their capacity, while the situation also highlighted deeper issues within the fire protection system. According to available data, Serbia has approximately 3,600 professional firefighters, with an additional 1,500 engaged through volunteer firefighting associations.

The most critical situation was in the Toplica District, where fires affected the entire area – Prokuplje, Kuršumlija, Žitorađa, and Blace. Severe consequences were also suffered in parts of the Jablanica District in the southeast, the Rasina and Šumadija districts in central Serbia, particularly around Kragujevac, as well as the Bor District in the east. In many areas, due to dry vegetation and low soil moisture, fires spread rapidly. Thick smoke, stretching for tens of kilometers, further hindered efforts to extinguish them. In some places, visibility was reduced to only about fifty meters.

On July 9, the Government of Serbia announced that it had secured 350 million dinars of aid for those affected. It also announced the formation of a Commission for Fire Damage Recovery, tasked with directing activities in this regard and working on prevention.

Relief, however, came only in mid-July, when the first heavier rainfall, combined with the joint intervention of all engaged services, enabled the localization and extinguishing of most fires. Nevertheless, the damage remained enormous – both materially and psychologically – as the experience in the fire zones left a lasting sense of insecurity.

This catastrophe, however, did not affect only Serbia. Similar situations were recorded at the same time in Greece, Italy, France, and other parts of Europe, struck by an intense heatwave. In Serbia, however, additional problems arose from underdeveloped infrastructure, insufficiently equipped local services, and the absence of detailed emergency plans at the municipal level. In many places, it was precisely the citizens – alone, without adequate support – who were the first to react.

IN FOCUS:

Stubble Burning – A Dangerous and Persistent Practice

One of the dangerous human causes of fires is stubble burning. Although prohibited by law, this method of clearing agricultural land is still widely practiced, especially in rural areas, where it is passed down as part of traditional practice. Under conditions of drought and high winds, fires can easily get out of control and spread to surrounding fields, forests, or even residential buildings. A single flame is enough to cause chaos.

Penalties for this practice are prescribed by the Law on Fire Protection and the Law on Agricultural Land – 10,000 dinars for individuals and several hundred thousand dinars for legal entities. In more severe cases, when major material damage or injuries occur, criminal liability also follows. However, in practice, such cases are rarely prosecuted. The problem is that burning is often done at night, in remote fields, and the perpetrators remain unknown.

In addition to causing fires, stubble burning has long-term negative consequences on the soil itself. The combustion of plant residues destroys beneficial microorganisms, dries out the surface layer of soil, and reduces its fertility. Instead, as a sustainable and safe alternative, plowing plant residues back into the soil, composting, or shredding and evenly spreading plant material across fields is recommended. These methods preserve soil, restore nutrients, eliminate fire risk, and do not pollute the air.

Landfills – A Recurring Summer Risk

Another serious problem that comes with the summer months is the increased number of landfill fires. Although this is not a new phenomenon, data show that the number of incidents is not decreasing; on the contrary, the problems are growing. Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of incidents have been recorded at landfills across Serbia, most often at unsanitary sites that lack basic fire protection systems. Causes include high temperatures, the presence of flammable waste, and usually poor management.

For this reason, representatives of the Sector for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Environmental Protection held a joint meeting. They agreed on a series of urgent measures. The key among them is the introduction of 24-hour shifts of public utility employees at landfills, as well as a ban on access by unauthorized persons, including informal waste collectors.

The need was emphasized for checking hydrant networks and firefighting equipment, securing water tanks, nozzles, hoses, and distributors, as well as arranging fire access roads for unobstructed vehicle entry. It was also recommended to surround landfills with fire belts free of combustible materials to prevent the spread of fire to the surrounding areas. Additional protection is envisaged through so-called tamping – covering critical points with layers of soil, as well as regularly layering waste with inert material. For these measures to be effective, it was proposed to provide permanent locations for soil delivery and a sufficient number of machines for emergency interventions.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Bosnia and Herzegovina Leads the Region in Issues with Overvoltage

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Andrey Metelev)

The Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina (NOSBiH) oversees and manages the country’s power transmission system. Its competencies and responsibilities are defined by the overarching Law on Transmission, Regulator, and System Operator of Electricity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as by the Law on Establishing the Independent System Operator for the Transmission System.

Bojan Rebić, Head of the Real-Time Power System Operation Department, highlights the challenges the system faces due to the increasing integration of renewable energy sources. He explains how these challenges affect the electricity market, from which countries balancing energy is imported, and what the future holds for the power system.

Q: How does NOSBiH technically and operationally manage major transmission lines and high-voltage substations?

Photo: Courtesy of Bojan Rebić

A: The management of the power system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is carried out from the Main Dispatch center of NOSBiH through 24/7 operational activities. In addition to the Main Dispatch center, and in line with obligations defined by the ENTSO-E network codes, NOSBiH operates a Backup Dispatch center, fully equipped with the tools and systems necessary for managing the power system in the event of a loss of the Main Dispatch center.

Operation of the transmission network at 400 kV and 220 kV levels, as well as all interconnected 110 kV transmission lines, is conducted by issuing direct instructions to operational staff at transformer substations and switchyards.

The operation of 110 kV lines that connect generation facilities to the transmission network is conducted indirectly, via the Generation Control Centers (CUP) of power utilities in BiH and the relevant Operational Areas (OP) of Elektroprenos BiH. Meanwhile, the operation of 110 kV line bays owned by users (new generating facilities) is performed remotely via the SCADA/EMS system from the NOSBiH Dispatch center (DC).

Through coordinated operation between the dispatch centers of NOSBiH, Elektroprenos BiH, the power utilities in BiH, and neighboring system operators, reliable and stable functioning of the BiH power system is ensured. In coordination with the Regional Security Coordination Center (SCC) in Belgrade, regular and additional security analyses of the power system are performed on a day-ahead and intra-day basis. These analyses are carried out for every hour using the interconnected model of the Continental European power system. If the N-1 security criterion is not met, available preventive and corrective measures are applied.

Supervision and management of the BiH transmission system are conducted through the SCADA/EMS system installed at the NOSBiH Dispatch center. Every two seconds, the SCADA/EMS system collects and archives data from all substations in BiH as well as from the observability zones of neighboring system operators.

In addition to the SCADA/EMS system, various software applications are used for day-ahead scheduling, balancing services, work approvals, dispatch logs, and information exchange at the ENTSO-E level.

IN FOCUS:

Q: How challenging is it to balance the electricity market in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and how is it done?

A: Balancing the electricity market is becoming increasingly demanding and complex, making it an equally important task for the operational staff of the NOSBiH Dispatch center. A decade ago, balancing was almost negligible compared to transmission system operation.

With the integration of a large number of variable renewable energy sources, we are facing growing deviations and rapid changes in generation, which result in imbalances within the BiH control area. Often, within a short period of time, balancing services must be activated in opposite directions, leading to higher balancing costs. Deviations are also influenced by electricity prices on regional and European exchanges.

In cases of imbalances, NOSBiH procures and activates balancing energy daily to cover electricity deficits or surpluses. This is done by using automatic and manual frequency restoration reserves (aFRR and mFRR), procured from registered providers. NOSBiH has signed agreements for the procurement of balancing energy from neighboring systems, including the SHB block (Slovenia, Croatia, BiH), as well as cross-border tertiary reserve exchanges with Serbia and Montenegro.

The quality of regulation had been satisfactory in previous years; however, in 2024 and the first quarters of 2025, it has significantly deteriorated, indicating the need to identify new balancing resources. Given the expected increase in renewable integration and current difficulties in the BiH power system, NOSBiH has sought modalities to expand the balancing reserve within the system.

According to the European Commission Regulation (SOGL), transmission system operators are entitled to exchange imbalances across different areas. At present, NOSBiH only has access to the GCC (INOM) platform, used by EMS (Serbia) and CGES (Montenegro). Together with EMS and CGES, NOSBiH has analyzed the possibilities of joining this platform, which would bring both technical and financial benefits. The agreement has been finalized and is pending approval from the relevant institutions. This would serve as a temporary solution until Bosnia and Herzegovina potentially joins the pan-European platform for automatic imbalance netting (IGCC).

Q: What are the biggest challenges for the BiH transmission network in the coming years?

A: The greatest challenge for any transmission system operator in the upcoming period is ensuring secure and stable operation of the transmission grid during the ongoing and future energy transition.

One of the major issues in operating the BiH power system is overvoltage – a problem for which the NOSBiH Dispatch center currently has no mechanism of control. Unfortunately, BiH leads the region in overvoltage problems, partly due to the structure of consumption in the country, and partly because neighboring transmission systems have already implemented voltage regulation measures, such as installing compensation devices. Overvoltages can result in partial or total collapse of the BiH power system, as well as the regional grid. Elektroprenos BiH has included the installation of four compensation devices in its investment plans, which have been approved, and procurement and installation activities are expected to commence.

Another major challenge is posed by large fluctuations in cross-border transit flows, which create significant operational difficulties. The BiH power system is integrated into the Continental European transmission system, which generally contributes to its secure and stable operation. However, during certain periods, due to significant transit flows from east to west and vice versa – directly driven by electricity markets and the integration of large volumes of renewables in Southeast Europe – severe overloads occur on both cross-border transmission lines and internal lines and transformers. These issues were the cause of the last two major disturbances: on January 8, 2021, when the Continental European transmission system split into two parts, and on June 21, 2024, when a major disturbance affected the power systems of BiH, Montenegro, Albania, and parts of Croatia.

In both cases, the BiH power system was neither the cause of the disturbance nor in a position to prevent its occurrence and propagation. Fortunately, all disturbances were resolved in record time. The dispatchers of the NOSBiH Dispatch center and neighboring TSOs successfully restored system stability: on January 8, 2021, Europe was re-synchronized within around 40 minutes, and during the blackout on June 21, 2024, system restoration was completed within approximately two hours.

Interview by Jasna Dragojević

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

RESET Project Results: Education and Skills for the Renewable Energy Future of the Western Balkans (2023–2025)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Evgeniy Alyoshin)

Did you know that in the Western Balkans, carbon intensity is more than five times higher than in the EU, and that most households still rely on coal, oil, or even traditional firewood for heating? This dependence not only makes the region one of the most carbon-intensive in Europe, but also increases vulnerability to energy poverty, health risks, and economic instability.  To tackle this, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, launched in 2020, set a clear direction: cut CO₂ emissions, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and move towards renewable energy. But there is a catch – without skilled workers and modern education systems, this transition cannot succeed.

This is where the RESET – Renewable Energy Services in Education and Training project comes in. Implemented by the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Regional Climate Partnership framework, RESET served as the education and skills dimension of the broader regional project Green Agenda: Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans.

While the Green Agenda for WB set the overall direction and long-term goals of the energy transition, RESET project focused on making these ambitions tangible in the vocational education and training sector. By developing teaching materials, strengthening vocational education and training (VET) systems, and supporting schools, teachers, and learners, RESET project helped ensure that the transition to renewable energy is not only about new technologies and infrastructure, but also about people and the skills that will shape the region’s energy future.

More:

Over two years (2023–2025), RESET project team worked across six Western Balkan economies – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – and delivered concrete, lasting results:

  • Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM): For the first time, regional teaching and learning resources were developed for two areas critical to the renewable energy sector – Installation and Maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Installation and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment in Wind Power Plants. These practical and modern guides, with numerous videos, exercises, and examples, published in Montenegrin, Albanian, Macedonian and Serbian, are now available to vocational schools and adult education centres across the region. Teaching and learning materials are available for download on the following link.
  • Action Plan: In 2025, RESET coordinated the development of the Regional Action Plan – Supporting Education and Training for the Renewable Energy sector. This strategic document gives ministries, agencies, and other relevant bodies a roadmap to align their activities with labour market needs in the renewable energy sector, ensuring that they can support the energy transition.
  • Awareness and outreach at regional and national levels: Through two regional EduEnergy conferences, 12 national events, and a targeted media campaign, RESET brought together educators, businesses, policymakers, and the wider public, showing that renewable energy careers are not only necessary, but also attractive, gender and socially inclusive, and future-oriented.
    • The first EduEnergy Conference: Building Bridges for Sustainable Energy Learning (March 2024) examined challenges in the energy sector and the skills needed to support the green transition, engaging over 200 participants from the region. The second conference, EduEnergy 2.0: Towards Shaping the Future of Renewable Energy Transition in the Western Balkans (October 2024), focused on the role of education in renewable energy transition, exploring labour market needs, social sustainability, and gender equity. Both conferences provided regional platforms for dialogue, exchange, and alignment between education systems and the energy sector, ensuring that skills development is recognised as a cornerstone of the green transition.
    • In addition, twelve national events were organised across all Western Balkan economies between April and June 2025. These events gathered representatives of vocational schools and adult education providers, introduced the newly developed regional teaching and learning materials on solar photovoltaics and wind power, and highlighted labour market needs, gender aspects, and funding opportunities. By engaging education institutions, experts, and policymakers at the national level, the events strengthened cooperation with the energy sector and promoted renewable energy careers more directly within each economy.

From its start in Budva in November 2023 to the final Action Plan in September 2025, RESET has shown what regional cooperation can achieve: new teaching and learning tools, joint set of proposed actions, and stronger bridges between schools and the labour market.

But the story does not end here. The sustainability of the RESET project depends on how its results are carried forward: by teachers who bring renewable energy into classrooms, by students who turn new skills into future careers, and by policymakers who create the frameworks that will support the workforce of tomorrow.

The next step is to build on the foundation laid. That means staying connected across the region, encouraging stronger partnerships between schools, businesses, and governments, ensuring that funding continues to support green education, and keeping the transition inclusive so that no one is left behind.

With these steps, the Western Balkans can move faster towards a clean, competitive, and fair energy future and everyone has a role to play in that journey.

Find out more about the project and its results on the project page.

Source: ERI SEE

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNCSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo* declaration of independence.

Energy Week Western Balkans 2025: agenda now live for the region’s flagship energy gathering

Photo: Energy Week Western Balkans

Energy Week Western Balkans returns to Montenegro on 8- 9 October 2025 with the full conference agenda now live, bringing together the people who are shaping the energy transition across the region. Hosted at the Maestral Resort and Casino in Sveti Stefan, the event convenes a senior audience of investors, policymakers, regulators and utilities for two days of practical discussion, structured networking and real outcomes.

This year’s edition builds on strong momentum in auctions, market integration and project pipelines across all six Western Balkans economies and Croatia. Delegates can expect a programme focused on delivery to 2040, including system ready approaches to hybrid renewables, bankable offtake, grid modernisation and industrial decarbonisation. The agenda also provides a country by country look at policies that align with European market rules and investment frameworks.

Attendance is set to exceed three hundred decision makers, with more than forty five speakers confirmed across ministerial, regulatory and industry sessions. The line-up includes senior voices from government, transmission and distribution operators, power exchanges and leading developers and financiers. Among the confirmed names are Admir Šahmanović, Petar Đokić, Milutin Đukanović, Aleksandar Mijušković, Daniel Calderon, Dejan Drašković, Dejan Popović, Elton B. Radheshi, Erald Elezi, Elisian Bici, Luka Petrović, Damien Sorrell, Miloš Mladenović, Kelly Clutterbuck, Amalia Giannakikou, Neda Lazendić, Nemanja Pandurević, Emre Erdoğan, Michael Viberg Pedersen, Miloš Kostić, Matti Piiparinen, Mats Lundin, Pranav Khamar and many others.

Photo: Energy Week Western Balkans

Key sessions include a ministerial panel on the path to 2040, next generation PPAs with corporate and CfD structures, financing and de-risk solutions for utility scale projects, grid and interconnection priorities that enable market coupling, and a regulatory clinic offering country specific legal insight. These discussions are designed to help projects move from pipeline to procurement and construction, with an emphasis on workable models that suit the Western Balkans context.

Networking remains central to the experience. Delegates have more than ten hours of targeted networking including curated introductions and facilitated B2B meetings, alongside the signature Watt A Night social on the Adriatic coast. The bespoke event app opens a week in advance so participants can build personal schedules and secure meetings before arrival.

The 2025 programme lands at a timely moment for the region. Recent policy moves include competitive renewables auctions in Montenegro, while efforts to integrate Western Balkan electricity markets with the European market continue to progress. Energy Week provides a neutral forum to compare lessons, share data and align on bankable structures that can accelerate capacity additions.

Energy Week Western Balkans has established itself as the leading platform for investment dialogue in the region. Feedback from previous editions points to exceptional knowledge sharing, productive meetings and a venue that supports serious work in a relaxed setting. With the agenda now live and the speaker roster continuing to grow, this year’s gathering is set to be the most comprehensive to date.

Registration and full agenda are available at https://wbenergyweek.com/. For enquiries, contact the organisers at info@investinnet.com.

Energy portal

SCC Belgrade – Safety and Stability of the Network as a Priority

Photo: courtesy of Luka Okuka

As energy systems develop rapidly and their interdependence becomes increasingly complex, network stability takes on strategic importance. In this game of precise coordination and technical reliability, regional coordination centers play a key role. One of them, SCC – Security Coordination Centre SCC Belgrade, has been connecting transmission system operators from several South-East European countries for ten years, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of the network.

We spoke with Luka Okuka, Director of SCC, about how this centre operates, its daily responsibilities, and why coordination between countries is crucial for a stable electricity supply.

Q: Mr Okuka, to begin with, could you briefly introduce SCC Belgrade? Who are your founders, and where precisely do you position yourselves in the power sector?

A: SCC – Security Coordination Centre Belgrade is a regional centre for security coordination in power systems, founded in 2015. It was established as an initiative by transmission system operators from the region, following the practice of developed European countries, to set up a joint centre that would contribute to greater security and efficiency in the operation of the transmission network. Our primary role is to ensure, through daily work and analyses, the stable and coordinated operation of transmission systems in the region, in line with the standards of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Artur Pawlak)

SCC is the result of a shared commitment by regional transmission system operators to pool their knowledge, tools, and resources to ensure reliability and interoperability of systems in an increasingly complex energy environment.

The founders of the company are EMS from Serbia, CGES from Montenegro, and NOSBiH from Bosnia and Herzegovina – operators who recognized the need for a regional approach and coordinated security. Over the years, SCC has expanded its range of services, with OST from Albania, MEPSO from North Macedonia, and TEIAS from Turkey joining as service users, further strengthening the centre’s regional significance as well as its technical capacity.

Today, with ten years of successful operation behind it, SCC is recognized as one of six European Regional Coordination Centers (RCCs), in line with the European Union’s legislative framework and ENTSO-E standards. Our role is to provide technical and operational support to transmission system operators through security analyses, risk assessments, coordination of planned works, and other key activities that contribute to the stable and safe operation of the power system – both at the regional level and within the European framework.

IN FOCUS:

Q: What are the specific responsibilities and daily activities of SCC?

A: SCC has clearly defined responsibilities arising from the European regulatory framework, and our main role is to provide operational and technical support to transmission system operators to maintain the safety, stability, and efficiency of the power system.

Specifically, SCC’s responsibilities cover the following areas:

  • Creation of a unified network model of Continental Europe Every day, based on input data (network models) provided by the transmission system operators of Continental Europe at the two-dayahead, day-ahead, and intraday timeframes, we create a unified network model of the entire synchronous interconnection. This model serves as the basis for all subsequent analyses and calculations, both by RCCs and TSOs.
  • Security analyses We conduct daily n-1 (n-x) security analyses at both the day-ahead and intraday timeframes to identify potential overloads and risks to system security. Based on the analyses, if potential problems are identified, we propose corrective measures.
  • Coordination of planned works We coordinate annual, monthly, and weekly planned outages of network elements of regional importance, owned by our service users, such as transmission lines or transformers, to minimize the impact on the region’s transmission system and maintain supply security.
  • System adequacy assessment We monitor whether the regional system has sufficient capacity to cover demand over different time horizons – from day-ahead to seven-day-ahead.
  • Calculation of cross-border transmission capacities SCC takes part in calculating available capacities for cross-border electricity transmission, which is crucial for the functioning of the regional electricity market.
  • Operational coordination and data exchange SCC collaborates daily with TSOs and other RCCs in Europe through data exchange, joint operational meetings, and urgent coordination as needed.

Our activities are highly technical and require expert teams, sophisticated software, and constant real-time communication with TSOs and RCCs. It is precisely SCC’s position, situated between operational planning and real-time decision-making, that makes us a key element in the security of the South-East European power system.

Q: How would you explain the difference between the role of SCC, the transmission system operators (TSO), and the power exchanges? Where exactly does your role fit within this network of actors?

A: In the power system, each institution has a clearly defined role: the transmission system operators (TSOs), the power exchanges, and the regional coordination centers, such as SCC. Our role lies precisely at the intersection of technical coordination and support for the safe operation of the system, both in the regional and European contexts.

Here is how these roles differ:

  • The TSO (transmission system operator) is responsible for managing the transmission network in its own country – ensuring the physical delivery of electricity, balancing the system, operating in real time, and maintaining network stability at the national level.
  • Power exchanges are market institutions that enable the organized buying and selling of electricity, mainly in the day-ahead and intraday timeframes. They deal with the price and volume of trading but do not operate the transmission system.
  • SCC, as a Regional Coordination Centre, does not operate the network directly, nor does it participate in the market. Our role is to coordinate operational processes between multiple TSOs, analyze technical risks, assist in planning outages, and assess transmission capacities at the cross-border level.
  • In short, the TSO runs the network, the exchange manages the trading, and SCC ensures that all of this can function safely and in harmony within regional and cross-border frameworks.

Our position is neutral, technical, and coordinative, and it is precisely in this role that we enable the safe operation of the entire system, support the energy market, and facilitate cooperation between different actors.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE

Most River Basins Faced Poor Hydrological Conditions in 2024

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The year 2024 marked the sixth consecutive year of unstable hydrological cycles and was also the warmest year in 175 years of observations, according to the Global Water Resources Status Report 2024 published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The past year was defined by record-breaking heat, climate extremes, and widespread water-related impacts. According to the report, both excessive and insufficient water supplies triggered a series of cascading consequences. Extremes were observed throughout the entire water cycle: rivers, reservoirs, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers all showed significant deviations from long-term averages.

All glacial regions worldwide reported ice loss in 2024. Many small glaciers have already reached or are close to reaching “peak water” – the moment when glacier meltwater is at its maximum before declining due to the shrinking size of the glaciers.

More:

It was also the hottest year on record, with the onset of an El Niño event that influenced major river basins, contributing to droughts in northern South America, the Amazon basin, and southern Africa.

Over the past six years, only one-third of the world’s river basin areas experienced normal flow conditions compared to the 1991–2020 average. This means two-thirds had either too much or too little water, reflecting the increasingly unpredictable nature of the hydrological cycle.

According to UN Water data, an estimated 3.6 billion people already face inadequate access to water for at least one month each year. That number is expected to rise to over five billion by 2050.

The consequences of these shortages, particularly in the context of extreme hydrological events, underscore the urgent need for improved monitoring, early warning systems, and adaptive water management strategies.

Energy portal

Revolutionary Plastic Recycling Technology from Northwestern University

Photo-illustrator: Pixabay (Pete Linforth)

Plastic becomes a problem only when it ends up where it doesn’t belong – in nature, the air, or, worse, in our bodies. In all other situations, it is a practical material that can be turned into raw feedstock in a sustainable recycling cycle, dispelling once and for all the “horror stories” and pessimistic scenarios surrounding its use. All it takes is imagination, knowledge, and the creation of processes that make this possible. That is where chemists at Northwestern University in the United States step in, with a discovery that could change the way we think about plastic recycling.

At the heart of this breakthrough lies a nickel-based catalyst: inexpensive, widely available, and extremely powerful. It selectively breaks down polyolefins – the type of plastic that makes up nearly two-thirds of global plastic consumption. Most importantly, this innovative catalyst enables recycling even when the waste stream is unsorted, meaning that industrial users could apply it to large quantities of mixed plastic waste without the painstaking and costly process of separating different types.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Hans)

Once the catalyst does its job, low-value solid plastics are transformed into liquid oils and waxes, which can later become higher-value products such as lubricants, fuels, and even candles.

Professor Tobin Marks, the study’s lead author and a world-renowned expert in catalysis, explained that one of the biggest obstacles in plastic recycling has always been the meticulous sorting of waste by type. Their new catalyst, he said, could bypass that complicated and labor-intensive step, making recycling more practical and economically viable.

A Precise “Cut” Through Plastic Waste

The challenge with polyolefins is their extraordinary chemical toughness – they are made of small molecules held together by strong carbon–carbon bonds. Unlike other polymers, they lack weak spots that catalysts can attack. This is why recycling rates for these plastics remain dismally low worldwide – less than 1 to 10 percent – despite annual production exceeding 220 million tons.

Traditional recycling methods have not been effective. Mechanical shredding and melting result in low-quality materials, while thermal treatment requires temperatures of 400 to 700 degrees Celsius and massive amounts of energy.

The Northwestern team, in collaboration with researchers from other institutions, tackled the problem through hydrogenolysis – a process that uses hydrogen and a catalyst to break plastic down into smaller, useful molecules. But instead of expensive precious metals like platinum or palladium, they developed a catalyst from cationic nickel, a cheap and abundant element.

Their solution is brilliant: a molecular catalyst with a single active site. Instead of striking blindly like a blunt tool, this catalyst works like a precision scalpel, selectively cutting carbon–carbon bonds.

The results are remarkable: the process operates at temperatures 100 degrees lower than other methods and under half the hydrogen pressure. It requires ten times less catalyst, yet its activity is ten times greater. In short – it wins on every front.

And then comes the almost unbelievable part. One of the biggest challenges in recycling has always been contamination by PVC. This toxic polymer typically deactivates catalysts and disrupts the entire process. But the new catalyst not only withstood the presence of PVC – it actually performed better in those conditions. Even when a quarter of the waste mixture was PVC, the catalyst’s activity increased.

“That’s crazy. Nobody expected that,” said another researcher Yosi Kratish

The study, titled Stable Single-Site Organo-Nickel Catalyst Preferentially Hydrogenolyzes Branched Polyolefinic C–C Bonds, was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and Dow Chemical, and published on September 2 in Nature Chemistry.

Looking at all of this, it’s hard not to feel optimistic. We may be on the verge of a future where mixed plastic waste is no longer seen as an unsolvable problem, but rather as a valuable resource.

Milena Maglovski

A Game-Changer: ProCredit Bank’s Net Zero Calculator for Measuring CO₂ Emissions

Photo: ProCredit bank

ProCredit Bank has developed the first Net Zero Calculator for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Serbian market. This tool enables businesses to easily measure their carbon footprint, understand where their emissions come from, and plan their next steps in the energy transition. We spoke with Marina Mijić, Head of the Sustainable Department, about the development of the Net Zero Calculator, while Miloš Stepandić, Head of Business Department, shared his perspective on the importance of supporting businesses at the start of their ESG journey.

How did the idea of creating a Net Zero Calculator for SMEs come about?

Marina Mijić: The idea arose from a real market need. Through daily interactions with our clients, we noticed that many small and medium-sized companies want to operate more responsibly but lack the tools and knowledge to understand their environmental impact. As a bank committed to sustainable development, we wanted to offer them a simple yet precise tool that helps them take the first step—measuring greenhouse gas emissions from their activities. At the ProCredit Group level, and in cooperation with external experts, we developed the Net Zero Calculator tailored to the business needs of SMEs in the region.

Photo: ProCredit bank

What exactly does the Net Zero Calculator offer and how does it work? 

Marina Mijić: The Calculator was designed so that companies can independently calculate their direct and indirect CO₂ emissions by entering data on electricity and fuel consumption, transport, and even raw materials. The results provide a clear breakdown of emissions by sector, enabling companies to identify the key areas where they can reduce emissions and optimize costs. In the future, the Calculator will also offer guidance on where the biggest savings can be achieved—whether through switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, or planning investments. Importantly, the Calculator is free of charge and represents the first step towards sustainable operations that also generate savings.

When will the Net Zero Calculator be available and how can SMEs prepare to use it?

Marina Mijić: The Calculator will officially be available on the ProCredit Bank website in September this year. Before calculating their emissions, we recommend that companies download our Net Zero Guide, which explains in simple terms which data they need to collect. This way, they’ll be ready to immediately obtain relevant results and identify areas for reducing emissions. The Calculator was designed so that no prior expertise in sustainable business practices is required—we want every company, regardless of size or sector, to be able to take the first step towards sustainability.

IN FOCUS:

What role does the bank play in supporting companies that want to reduce emissions?

Miloš Stepandić: Our role is not just to provide a tool, but to be a partner throughout the transformation process. Many SMEs are only just beginning their ESG transition and often lack the internal resources or expertise to deal with complex requirements such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). That’s why, in addition to the Calculator, ProCredit Bank offers tailored advice and financial products designed for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Our goal is to help businesses improve their operations and achieve savings, not to see ESG as an additional cost or burden.

How important is this for companies that export or work with EU partners?  

Miloš Stepandić: Extremely important. The CBAM requires companies exporting goods to the EU to report the emissions embedded in their products. Those that fail to do so will face additional costs and barriers. While the Omnibus package has introduced some temporary relief, it won’t last long. Companies that already measure their footprint and take steps to reduce it will be at a significant advantage—both from a regulatory and a market perspective. That’s why we say the Calculator is not only a tool for environmental protection but also for competitiveness.

What are ProCredit Bank’s next steps in ESG support?   

Miloš Stepandić: We are continuing to develop tools, educate clients, and finance sustainable projects. At the same time, we are strengthening our internal capacities—our vision is for every advisor to also be an ESG advisor. Ultimately, our goal is to make sustainable business the new standard, not the exception.

Interview by Milena Maglovski 

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine CLIMATE CHANGE.

Belgrade Fair, October 20–22: Energy Challenges and Environmental Solutions in One Place

Photo: Belgrade fair

This year’s 20th International Energy Fair, together with the 21st International Fair of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources EcoFair, will be presented to visitors from October 20 to 22, 2025, in Hall 3 of the Belgrade Fair.

Photo: Belgrade fair

At a time when the world is facing the challenges of energy crises, climate change, and the need to transition to renewable energy sources, the Energy Fair provides a unique opportunity to explore the latest achievements, technologies, and trends in this field and remains a key platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience. Participants will have the chance to connect with leading experts, showcase innovations and solutions that not only increase efficiency but also contribute to the global goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The EcoFair exists to remind us of the urgent need to protect our environment. Environmental sustainability is not only a matter of moral responsibility; it is an essential part of every successful business strategy and of society’s overall development. This fair brings together all those committed to preserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable practices.

Together, these two fairs form a unique event that has become the central meeting point for leaders, experts, investors, and enthusiasts in fields crucial to our future. Today, perhaps more than ever, energy resources and environmental sustainability represent the two pillars on which the future of humanity rests. Our choices and decisions in these areas not only shape the economic landscape but also directly affect the quality of life for present and future generations. This is why these fairs are of exceptional importance not only for individuals and companies, but also at the national level.

Photo: Belgrade fair

As a responsible organizer, and with new business management in place, the Belgrade Fair seeks to highlight what makes these two areas particularly significant – their organic interconnection. In this context, special emphasis is placed on organizing B2B meetings between entrepreneurs from the country and the region, state administration, and representatives of local government. Still, this event is more than just a venue for presentations and business meetings, it is a space where new ideas are born, partnerships are built, and everyone works together to shape a sustainable future.

Energy portal

The Primeval Forests of the Federation of BiH Among the Few in Europe

Photo: FEA

Primeval forests are one of the most valuable and most sensitive ecosystems on Earth. They absorb large amounts of rainfall, serve as a crucial regulatory core of global climate and biogeochemical processes, and provide a home to a vast number of plant and animal species. Although we most often associate them with tropical regions, primeval forests also exist in temperate areas, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the few European countries that still have preserved primeval forests and forests of high conservation value – areas where humans have never significantly intervened.

In the territory of the Federation of BiH, there are nine primeval forests, and to highlight their richness and importance, the Forest and Mountain Protected Areas (FEA) published an educational brochure titled Guardians of Biodiversity – Exploring the Primeval Forests of the Federation of BiH and Raising Awareness of the Importance of Their Protection. The project was co-financed by the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of BiH.

Lejla Hukić, project coordinator at FEA, emphasized that through this brochure, they want to bring primeval and high conservation value forests closer to the wider public, aiming at a better understanding of how important they are, not only for nature but also for our lives, health, and future.

– The primeval forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the few that have remained almost untouched in Europe, and their preservation is a shared responsibility of us all. In them, nature lives at its own pace, without human influence, and it is precisely in this untouched balance that their priceless value lies. Through education and awareness-raising, we want to encourage people to recognize this value and to contribute to their protection through their actions, says Hukić.

IN FOCUS:

Complexes such as Ravna Vala, Bobija, Mačen Do, or Crni Vrh prove that nature can survive untouched, but only if we protect it. Their formal designation as protected areas would not only mean the fulfillment of international obligations but also represent an investment in the long-term security, health, and economic development of the country.

According to FEA, all remaining primeval forest complexes in the Federation of BiH could be formally protected through a new forestry law by being placed in the highest international protection category – IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve).
– Such a status would mean that these areas are recognized as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM), which would include their surface in the total coverage of protected areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this way, our country would significantly contribute to meeting national and international biodiversity protection goals, particularly those defined by European and global strategies, FEA stated.

The mountain forests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially those within the Dinaric mountain system, are distinguished by their high naturalness and the preservation of their ecosystems. Unlike much of Central and Western Europe, where forest ecosystems have been largely altered by human activity, BiH’s primeval and high conservation value forests represent an exceptional comparative advantage. Therefore, as the organization stresses, their preservation means protecting one of the last proofs of what European nature looked like before industrialization and mass logging.

The Importance of Primeval Forests

Primeval forests produce about 20 percent of the oxygen we breathe and play a key role in the fight against climate change. They store large amounts of carbon dioxide in their trunks, leaves, and roots, while at the same time absorbing solar radiation and helping regulate temperature. The Amazon rainforest, for example, stores around 48 billion tons of carbon. Primeval forests are home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. On an area of just 10 km², up to 1,500 species of flowering plants can be found, along with hundreds of other organisms. The Amazon ecosystem, which covers 6.7 million km², contains about 40 percent of the remaining primeval forests, 25 percent of terrestrial biodiversity, and the highest number of freshwater fish species in the world.

Primeval forests also provide resources and jobs for local populations, especially where other opportunities are limited. It is estimated that services such as carbon storage, water regulation, and eco-tourism are worth over 400 million dollars annually for communities in the Brazilian Amazon.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

Energy Advisory Centers: Knowledge as the Currency of Climate Policy

Photo: GIZ

Opportunities for change sometimes arise only in times of crisis. Climate change is a crisis that has forced us to finally alter our poor energy habits and raise the level of energy literacy. Energy transition, as a pillar of climate policy, has become important not only for large organizations and systems but also for households and entrepreneurs.

Flash floods and heat waves are now increasingly associated by the public with the direct costs of energy wastefulness, dependence on fossil fuels, and energy poverty—such as the health costs of air pollution, rising bills for electricity and other energy sources. Understandably, citizens are becoming more interested in replacing windows and joinery in residential buildings, acquiring modern, cleaner, and more efficient heating and cooling devices, and producing their own energy from renewable sources for personal use.

However, unlike large companies that have the resources to acquire the necessary knowledge about new technologies and the profitability of investments, many citizens and small entrepreneurs lack the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions. Public subsidy programs, jointly implemented for several years by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and local self-governments, often assume that recipients already possess the technological and other necessary knowledge, which many still need to acquire.

News of open public calls for subsidies often reaches rural households too slowly. Frequently, citizens who need the most assistance do not have the financial means required for their contribution toward the costs of replacing devices or joinery. Many live in buildings that do not meet the required eligibility criteria of these programs.

IN FOCUS:

Citizens and entrepreneurs with the financial capacity and desire to invest in solar energy often make mistakes by oversizing their solar power plants, which results in profitability being lower than expected.

Some municipalities and cities in Serbia have recognized that their citizens and entrepreneurs need a place for learning and obtaining information—a place of understanding and support—so they can make correct and informed decisions on their own. At the end of last year, Užice, Knjaževac, and Bačka Palanka opened their Energy Advisory Centers, offering answers to citizens’ questions all in one place. These advisory centers do not sell devices or issue bills; instead, they help people understand what and when it is worth investing in, and how to get involved.

Energy Advisory Centers serve as a mechanism for connecting public policy with the everyday lives of citizens. Their role includes providing information, interpreting relevant regulations and guidelines, directing users toward available solutions, and offering professional support. Given the complexity of their goals, these centers operate in cooperation with state administration institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Particularly important is the involvement of local actors who possess relevant knowledge and experience in energy efficiency and sustainable development.

For example, the recent opening of the Knjaževac Energy Advisory Center was an opportunity to invite companies that market products and services for improving energy efficiency to present their technical solutions, products, and services to interested citizens and entrepreneurs in the center’s premises—located in the Directorate for Development, Urban Planning, and Construction of the Municipality of Knjaževac.

GIZ

The leading IEG event for Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean region in Italy is approaching

Photo: KEY – The Energy Transition Expo

KEY – The Energy Transition Expo continues its momentum. The IEG (Italian Exhibition Group) event, a benchmark in Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean basin for energy transition and efficiency, will be back for its fourth edition in a stand-alone format from 4th to 6th March 2026 at Rimini Expo Centre with increasingly international ambitions, confirming its role as a relational hub for the sector’s global community.

A strategic global network at the service of decarbonisation from which to design a green future, capable of picking up on signs of change, predicting future trends and anticipating new market needs.

KEY 2026 will continue its efforts to promote meetings and discussions between key players in the energy sector and encourage dialogue with institutions, thus facilitating the creation of collaborations and synergies, with the aim of joining forces to boost the energy transition. It will also continue to provide a unique opportunity for companies and professionals to learn about cutting-edge technologies and the latest innovations on the market for rationalising consumption and reducing the energy and environmental impact of their activities.

With a full and varied conference programme, the event will offer training, information, and professional development opportunities on the energy sector’s hottest and most current topics.

INTERNATIONAL SCOPE

One of the priorities of the next edition is to strengthen the show’s international profile. KEY 2026 will continue to focus on the African continent, particularly on the countries in North and sub-Saharan Africa, without forgetting Turkey and Europe, with a special focus on Germany, Spain, the UK, Poland, Serbia and the Balkan region. With this objective in mind, the event was presented, together with Ecomondo 2025, during a three-stage roadshow on 8th July in Cairo, 9th September in Belgrade and 11th September in Warsaw.

NEW LAYOUT FOR THE ENTIRE EXPO CENTRE

For the first time, KEY will occupy every hall at Rimini Expo Centre, strengthening the transversal and integrated vision that makes it unique in the European exhibition scene. The new layout will still be divided into seven distinct and recognisable, yet interconnected, thematic areas.

The areas dedicated to photovoltaics, wind power, energy storage, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and sustainable cities will be joined by:

  • HYPE – Hydrogen Power Expo supported by Hydrogen & Fuel Cells: the hydrogen show organized by Italian Exhibition Group and Hannover Fairs International GmbH (HFI), the Italian branch of Deutsche Messe AG;
  • port – Sustainable Ports for Energy Transition: focus within the wind power halls on the importance of electrifying port quays for the sustainability of the maritime sector, cold ironing and ports as logistics hubs for the assembly and maintenance of floating renewable energy farms and hydrogen storage and transportation;
  • Innovation District featuring a selection of innovative Italian and international green start-ups and SMEs, resulting from a Call for Start-ups. The Green Jobs&Skills project will also be in this district to favour the encounter between supply and demand for jobs in the field of sustainable skills. Moreover, the Lorenzo Cagnoni Innovation Award will be presented to the three start-ups at KEY with the highest innovative potential and to the seven exhibitors with the most cutting-edge projects, one for each of the event’s product sectors.
Photo: KEY – The Energy Transition Expo

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSITION

Great attention to the topic of energy efficiency, in both the industrial and residential sectors, as a transition-enabling cornerstone. In the larger and newly arranged Energy Efficiency area, the zones dedicated to the Sustainable Building District, in partnership with Green Building Council Italia, and to Federcostruzioni, KEY’s new partner which groups together the most important production categories of the entire construction, infrastructure, materials, engineering and systems market and which will bring the entire Italian construction supply chain to the show, have been confirmed.

KEY’S SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS

KEY fuels the debate on the global sustainable future by supporting research. For the second year running, a Call for Papers, open to universities, companies, research bodies and associations, including those not present among the exhibitors, was launched to present a project or describe a successful experience in the field of energy and climate transition. The 25 selected abstracts will be published in a special issue of the scientific journal QualEnergia Science, promoted by KEY – The Energy Transition Expo and published by Editoriale La Nuova Ecologia with the support of Italian Exhibition Group. The issue will be officially presented during KEY 2026.

KEY CHOICE – Unlock the future of PPAs

Once again for 2026, KEY CHOICE – Unlock the future of PPAs will take place prior to the event. This B2B KEY – The Energy Transition Expo event dedicated to Power Purchase Agreements is organized by IEG (Italian Exhibition Group) in collaboration with Elemens, and is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at Rimini’s Palacongressi Conference Centre.

DPE – INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICITY EXPO

In conjunction with KEY, the new edition of DPE – International Electricity Expo will also be back. This event is organized by Italian Exhibition Group in collaboration with the Distributed Generation Association – Engines, Components, Generating Sets, a confederate of ANIMA Confindustria – and the ANIE Federation, dedicated to the electrical generation, transmission, distribution, safety and automation ecosystem.

ABOUT KEY 2026

Qualification: International fair;

Organization: Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A.;

Frequency: Annual;

Edition: 4th;

Dates: March 4-6, 2026;

Email: keyenergy@iegexpo.it;

Website: http://www.key-expo.com;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keyexpo/;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/key_expo/;

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keyenergy/

Energy portal

Songs from the Depths – What Whales Tell Us

Photo-illustration: Freepik (AI image generation)

Imagine if one day we could understand the communication of whales in the depths of the ocean. For me, there is no creature on this planet more fascinating than these mammals that have been swimming through our world’s waters for millions of years. Unfortunately, many whale species today are endangered or on the brink of becoming so. Humans play a significant role here, as the main threats they face include ship collisions, noise pollution, climate change, and plastic pollution.

Noise pollution may not seem like a serious threat, but it truly is. Whales don’t talk the way we do, yet their language is far more complex than we might imagine. They use a range of tones, often described as underwater songs – some lasting for hours. Each song carries information about identity, emotions, feeding grounds, or their social bonds. However, industrial sounds disrupt whale communication. We may not perceive the ocean’s noise, but for whales, it can be devastating – interfering with their conversations and daily lives.

It’s essential to understand what whales are communicating so that we can help protect them before their voices fall silent. The importance of their communication is evident in the fact that scientists have observed blue whales becoming significantly quieter, a serious sign of negative changes in marine ecosystems.

What once seemed like science fiction is now within our reach. Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a pioneering international effort combining biology, linguistics, robotics, and artificial intelligence, is striving to uncover the secrets of one whale species’ language – the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

Launched in 2020, the project focuses on this species that inhabits Caribbean waters, especially around Dominica. These whales use a form of communication that can be described as codes – short sequences of sounds. According to scientists, these signals conceal a real language, complex and structured, with patterns reminiscent of human phonetics.

Using advanced tools and an extensive database, researchers have discovered that whales use something similar to a phonetic alphabet, even incorporating embellishments into their communication. Data is collected through underwater listening stations and drones that safely and discreetly attach sensors to whales. Additionally, underwater gliders track them during their journeys. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in deciphering the meaning of these sounds.
A unique aspect of the project is its involvement with local communities through scholarship programs for young researchers, educational initiatives, artistic collaborations, and other efforts that bridge science and culture.
The project aims to transform our relationship with animals and nature, reminding us that they have their own languages. Some of these languages are already somewhat understood, while others, like the language of whales, require patience and effort to comprehend. Those who choose not to remain deaf to their voices, through understanding whale communication, open the door to their protection and survival.

Katarina Vuinac

The Forests of Serbia – Guardians of Water, Soil, Life, and the Future

Photo: Unsplash/Geronimo

As the world increasingly recognises forests as key allies in the fight against climate change, Serbia is recording a positive trend – forest cover today stands at 39 percent, with total green cover reaching 43.1 percent of the country’s territory. Behind these figures lie decades of planned afforestation, natural succession, and an increasingly robust institutional framework.

Photo: courtesy of Sasa Stamatovic

In an exclusive interview for Energy Portal Magazine, Saša Stamatović, Director of the Forest Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, discusses the results of the Second National Forest Inventory, the challenges of uneven forest distribution across regions, the importance of climate-resilient forest management, and major projects such as Forest Invest.

What is Serbia’s current forest coverage, what is the state of its forests, and what are the key factors influencing it?

— First and foremost, I must underline that forest area, along with many other quantitative and qualitative data about forests, is determined through a complex, robust, scientifically, methodologically, and statistically sound procedure known as the National Forest Inventory. Serbia completed its Second National Forest Inventory and published the results at the end of 2023, using the most advanced methodological and geoinformation technologies and instruments. FAO experts, under whose supervision the inventory was carried out, rated it a “high-quality study”.

According to data from the Second National Forest Inventory, conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Serbia has 3,025,471 hectares of forest and forest land, which amounts to 39.01 percent of its territory. When we add other land with tree cover (OLWT) – such as tree-lined avenues, smaller tree groups or individual trees, parks, and forest patches smaller than 0.5 hectares – which are not methodologically included in the official forest coverage figure, the total tree canopy cover reaches 43.1 percent. Although this latter category is not internationally defined as forest coverage, its importance and the need for preservation, especially in areas with low forest percentages and particularly in urban and peri-urban environments, are undeniable.

To properly understand the significance of this figure, we must look to the past and examine how forest coverage has changed over previous centuries. Historical estimates suggest that, at the beginning of the 19th century, over 50 percent of Serbia was covered by forest. This reflected the natural landscape before the widespread expansion of agriculture, livestock farming, and industrial development. However, by the second half of that century, following the country’s autonomy and the expansion of rural settlements into hilly and mountainous areas, there was significant population movement accompanied by growing demand for arable land and pastures. Forests were cleared to make way for agricultural production, especially livestock farming, and later for the development of infrastructure, mining, and industry, leading to a drastic reduction in forested areas.

By the end of the 19th century, forest coverage had decreased to around 35 percent, and just before the Second World War, it was estimated to have fallen to a mere 17 percent. This was the lowest recorded level and reflected the deep socio-economic and political processes of the time. Nevertheless, negative trends were already being recognised then. As early as 1839, Prince Miloš issued a decree legally prohibiting the felling and clearing of forests without supervision. The Forest Law of 1922, enacted during the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, was the first to mandate reforestation of cleared land, signalling a move towards more active state management of forest resources.

The post-WWII period brought gradual change. As early as 1947, the state began allocating budget funds for afforestation, which, along with the cultivation of fast-growing species, gained momentum in the decades that followed. Alongside this, demographic trends – particularly rural depopulation and the decline of extensive livestock farming – led to the abandonment of pastures and meadows in mountainous areas. These unused areas underwent natural succession, meaning they gradually became reforested on their own. This process of natural succession has been one of the most significant factors behind the increase in forest coverage in recent decades. Alongside it, systematic afforestation, especially in barren and erosion-prone areas, has played an immeasurable role.

In the last ten years alone, through state and provincial programmes, more than 1.1 billion dinars of budget funds have been invested annually in afforestation and forest improvement, along with significant international funding through various projects.

IN FOCUS:

The third key element is the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework.

Today, deforestation is strictly prohibited by law and can only be carried out if there is a determined public interest. Illegal logging is treated as a criminal offence. There is also a strong inspection system in place, and all forest managers are required to implement protection and improvement measures for forest resources in accordance with current forest management plans.

The fourth factor contributing to the recorded increase in forest coverage is the modernisation of monitoring.

As part of the Second National Forest Inventory, a two-phase sampling system was used, combining field measurements with satellite imagery analysis (FAO Collect Earth). This method made it possible to record even small forest areas that previously remained outside statistical coverage. This means today’s data is not only better, but also more accurate.

A significant factor in this positive trend is also the growing public awareness of forests’ ecosystem functions, which has seen exponential growth in recent decades, particularly with the recognition of forests’ role in mitigating climate change.

To summarise, the current state of Serbia’s forests is a mirror image of its economic, historical, and cultural circumstances. It represents the result of a decades-long process of reversing degradation. This includes natural succession, organised afforestation, the retreat of agriculture from marginal lands, and a significant role played by regulatory mechanisms.

What activities is the Forest Directorate undertaking to increase forest coverage further, and is it involved in CO₂ emissions reduction projects?

— Since the 1980s, the optimal forest coverage for Serbia has been estimated at 41.4 percent, and this figure is officially included in the national Spatial Plan.

Foto: Unsplash/Syahrin Seth

What’s the difference between an average percentage and an optimum? According to the Second National Forest Inventory (NFI2), forests in Serbia are not evenly distributed: over 94 percent of all forests are located in Central Serbia, while Vojvodina, due to its predominantly agricultural land use, has only 8.63 percent forest coverage. The most forested districts are Raška, Jablanica, Bor, Toplica, and Zlatibor. In contrast, the least forested are North Banat, Central Banat, and North Bačka – with Raška at over 67 percent and North Banat at just 0.2 percent.

The optimum for the republic, as a functional indicator, can only be determined bottom-up – that is, by calculating optimum levels for smaller spatial units and then aggregating them at the national level. An average value does not reflect spatial distribution – for instance, increasing forest cover in already heavily forested districts won’t improve the situation in Banat. This doesn’t mean afforestation shouldn’t continue where there is potential, even in areas with high forest coverage, but priority must be given to those with low coverage.

In any case, the optimum is a dynamic and primarily spatial-planning category that must combine natural potential with aligned ecological, economic, and social needs.

From a forestry perspective, a strategic stance can fully embrace the statement attributed to Jovan Jovanović Zmaj: “Wherever you find a good place, plant a tree there.” This means continuing to secure land for establishing new forests, financing new afforestation efforts, and preserving and improving existing forests.

In this sense, the seven-year Forest Invest project has just begun implementation, co-financed by the Green Climate Fund. The project is jointly implemented by the FAO and the Government of Serbia (via the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Serbia Forests and Vojvodina Šume public enterprise), with the aim of increasing forest resilience, ensuring energy security for the most vulnerable, and improving carbon storage. In brief, the project covers afforestation, conversion of degraded forests, nursery improvements, and the inclusion of the private sector in climate-resilient forestry and decarbonisation. It is planned that during the project’s implementation, 7,000 hectares will be afforested, 51,000 hectares of degraded coppice forests will be converted into high forests, climate-resilient forest management will be enabled on 500,000 hectares, firewood consumption among the most vulnerable households will be reduced, and emissions will be cut by 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over the next 27 years.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine Climate change

World Electric Vehicle Day – Region Needs a Broader Charger Network

Photo: Charge&GO

World Electric Vehicle Day, celebrated on September 9th for the past six years, is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of transitioning to sustainable transport and to assess where we currently stand in the process of electromobility.

There are too few public chargers, and an even more pressing issue is their uneven distribution, which makes long-distance travel particularly challenging. In Serbia, there are currently about 200 public chargers, which translates to only three chargers per 100,000 inhabitants. In comparison, Bulgaria has 24, while Croatia has 32 chargers per 100,000 people, according to data from the Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers.

The same challenge exists across the region and throughout Europe, where the development of the charging network often does not keep pace with the sales of electric vehicles. However, there are also excellent examples. The Netherlands leads in infrastructure development, boasting the highest charger density in Europe, while Norway holds the world record for the number of electric vehicles on the road.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), as much as 89 percent of new vehicles sold in Norway last year were fully electric, bringing the country closest to achieving the goal of completely phasing out fossil fuel vehicles.

While global leaders are already demonstrating what sustainable mobility looks like in practice, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region are only taking their first significant steps.

Changes in legislation that mandate the installation of chargers in residential and commercial buildings are certainly a positive signal, but more intensive investment in infrastructure is crucial to encourage citizens to switch from gasoline and diesel to electric vehicles.

More:

A New Boost for Electromobility in North Macedonia

Although the electric vehicle market in North Macedonia is still relatively small, noticeable growth is underway. According to available data, there are around 300 registered electric cars in the country, while the number of publicly available chargers remains limited, measured in just a few dozen, mostly slower AC units. This highlights the biggest challenge – developing infrastructure that would provide drivers with security and make the transition to electromobility easier.

An additional push comes from the private sector and companies investing in a modern network of fast DC chargers. According to Tamara Zjačić, Deputy Director at Charge&GO, starting in September, North Macedonia will have its first 50 kW charger from manufacturer ABB, installed at Oktan’s gas station in Ržaničino.

“This is a publicly available charger accessible to users of the Charge&GO app in Serbia. As of September, drivers in North Macedonia will also be able to use it since we have launched a version of the app fully adapted to local regulations,” said Zjačić.

She added that users will be able to seamlessly use the app not only for charging in North Macedonia and Serbia but also across partner networks throughout Europe.

“In the coming period, we will focus intensively on expanding the network of fast DC chargers in North Macedonia. Every new charger we bring online will be actively promoted, and users will be informed about all updates,” Zjačić emphasized.

At the same time, Charge&GO continues to expand its network in Serbia, focusing on major highways and larger cities such as Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Čačak.

Energy portal

1...345...416Page 4 of 416

Newsletter

Please enter a valid email address

Calendar of events

2025 November

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Events for 30 November
No Events
Events for 1 December
No Events
Events for 2 December
No Events
Events for 3 December
No Events
Events for 4 December
No Events
Events for 5 December
No Events
Events for 6 December
No Events
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Events for 7 December
No Events
Events for 8 December
No Events
Events for 9 December
No Events
Events for 10 December
No Events
Events for 11 December
No Events
Events for 12 December
No Events
Events for 13 December
No Events
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Events for 14 December
No Events
Events for 15 December
No Events
Events for 16 December
No Events
Events for 17 December
No Events
Events for 18 December
No Events
Events for 19 December
No Events
Events for 20 December
No Events
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Events for 21 December
No Events
Events for 22 December
No Events
Events for 23 December
No Events
Events for 24 December
No Events
Events for 25 December
No Events
Events for 26 December
No Events
Events for 27 December
No Events
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Events for 28 December
No Events
Events for 29 December
No Events
Events for 30 December
No Events

WRITE US

Office: Bulevar oslobođenja 103/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Monday–Friday: 09–17h
Phone/Fax: +381 (11) 396 23 59 info@energetskiportal.rs marketing@energetskiportal.rs

©2024 www.energetskiportal.com