Regional Exchange March 2026 - Revision history

Lisafeldmann at 09:40, 29 April 2026

2026-04-29T09:40:10Z

Lisafeldmann at 09:36, 29 April 2026

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Lisafeldmann at 09:06, 29 April 2026

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Lisafeldmann at 08:56, 29 April 2026

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Lisafeldmann at 08:48, 29 April 2026

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Lisafeldmann at 08:42, 29 April 2026

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Lisafeldmann at 12:56, 27 April 2026

2026-04-27T12:56:51Z

Lisafeldmann at 12:56, 27 April 2026

2026-04-27T12:56:14Z

Lisafeldmann at 12:52, 27 April 2026

2026-04-27T12:52:56Z

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-== AGENDA ==
+== Agenda ==
 ===Arrival Day - 24 March 2026===
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 [[File:Regional Workshop March 26- vs2.png|alt=|1400x1400px]]
-== ABOUT THE CONFERENCE ==
+== Conference Background ==
-Western Balkans is entering a pivotal stage in its regional energy transformation. Following two years of intensive cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint learning, Phase II of the “Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans” project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ, this new 3-year project marks a renewed commitment to accelerating the region’s energy transition, under the umbrella of the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans.
+The Western Balkans is entering a pivotal stage in its energy transition, marked by increasing integration of renewable energy sources and growing alignment with European Union energy frameworks. While notable progress has been achieved in recent years, the region continues to face structural challenges, including grid congestion, limited infrastructure investments, regulatory complexities, and the need for enhanced regional coordination.
-Under the theme '''“Building on Progress: Advancing the Energy Transition Pathway of the Western Balkans”''' this Kick-off Conference will bring together grid operators, regulators, ministries, international organisations, experts, and civil society partners from across the region. It offers a unique moment to reflect on progress, deepen cooperation, and collectively shape the way forward. Invited partners will be able to contribute and be part of:
+In this context, the launch of Phase II of the GIZ regional project “Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Regional Climate Partnership (RCP) between Germany and the Western Balkans builds on previous achievements and responds to the evolving needs of the electricity sector. The first phase established a strong foundation through regional cooperation, capacity-building, and technical assistance, contributing to improved knowledge exchange and strengthened institutional dialogue across the region within the electricity sector.
-A shared starting point for Phase II: A concise walkthrough of Phase I’s key results will help participants establish a common understanding of progress to date and jointly shape priorities for the next phase across regulatory, technological, and participation areas.
+The second phase, with a planned duration from 2025 to 2028, places a stronger emphasis on implementation, aiming to support partners in addressing concrete challenges related to renewable integration, grid modernisation, system flexibility, and market integration, both with a regional and country-specific solutions. It also introduces tailored support mechanisms, enabling partner institutions to request targeted technical and regulatory assistance. A third and new project pillar is introduced to the new phase, which also was discussed in the launch conference, focusing on empowering vulnerable consumers in the context of energy transition.
-* A collaborative regional space: The conference offers a platform for open exchange, allowing stakeholders to connect, share experiences, compare challenges, and explore opportunities for coordinated action in Phase II.
+The conference, held under the theme '''“Building on Progress: Advancing the Energy Transition Pathway of the Western Balkans”''', was organised as a key milestone to launch this new phase. It provided a platform for over 80 project partners, mainly Energy ministries and regulators, DSOs, TSOs to reflect on progress, exchange experiences, and jointly define priority areas for future cooperation. Through expert inputs, panel discussions, and interactive working sessions, participants contributed to shaping a shared regional vision for advancing a sustainable, integrated, and inclusive electricity sector in the Western Balkans.
-=== Objectives of the conference ===
+== Conference Summary ==
-# Introduce the scope of Phase II and provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the key results from Phase I
+The conference highlighted that the energy transition in the Western Balkans has entered a more complex and implementation-focused phase, where technical progress must be matched by legal certainty, market alignment, and social considerations. While momentum in renewable deployment and regional integration is evident, key challenges remain in grid capacity, investment readiness, and regulatory coherence. At the same time, emerging factors such as CBAM and increasing exposure to investment arbitration risks underline the importance of predictable, transparent, and well-coordinated policy frameworks.
 == Presentations ==

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-'''Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans II'''
+'''Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans II (Mario Jasic, Advisor, GIZ BiH)'''
 Presentation about the project and its new call for tailored support projects for partners.

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-[[File:Annex no.3 Key expert input no.1 Renewable Energy Disputes and Investment Arbitration in the Western Balkans, presented by Armela Ramic.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.3 Key expert input no.1 Renewable Energy Disputes and Investment Arbitration in the Western Balkans, presented by Armela Ramic.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/4/48/Annex_no.3_Key_expert_input_no.1_Renewable_Energy_Disputes_and_Investment_Arbitration_in_the_Western_Balkans%2C_presented_by_Armela_Ramic.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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-[[File:Annex no.4 Key expert input no.2 CBAM Outlook for the Western Balkans Electricity Sector, presented by Rouven Stubbe.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.4 Key expert input no.2 CBAM Outlook for the Western Balkans Electricity Sector, presented by Rouven Stubbe.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/3/38/Annex_no.4_Key_expert_input_no.2_CBAM_Outlook_for_the_Western_Balkans_Electricity_Sector%2C_presented_by_Rouven_Stubbe.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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-[[File:Annex no.5 Key expert input no.3 Future of the grids in EU- key expert input, presented by Goran Levacic.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.5 Key expert input no.3 Future of the grids in EU- key expert input, presented by Goran Levacic.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/e/e9/Annex_no.5_Key_expert_input_no.3_Future_of_the_grids_in_EU-_key_expert_input%2C_presented_by_Goran_Levacic.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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-[[File:Annex no.6 Renewable Grid Initiative presentation on the Community and Local Benefits Sharing, presented by Ira Shefer RGI.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.6 Renewable Grid Initiative presentation on the Community and Local Benefits Sharing, presented by Ira Shefer RGI.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/f/fe/Annex_no.6_Renewable_Grid_Initiative_presentation_on_the_Community_and_Local_Benefits_Sharing%2C_presented_by_Ira_Shefer_RGI.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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-[[File:Annex no.7 Overview of Tailored Support call for the project Phase II, presented by Mario Jasic.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.7 Overview of Tailored Support call for the project Phase II, presented by Mario Jasic.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/f/fe/Annex_no.7_Overview_of_Tailored_Support_call_for_the_project_Phase_II%2C_presented_by_Mario_Jasic.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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-[[File:Annex no.1 General conference background presentations.pdf|alt=]]
+[[File:Annex no.1 General conference background presentations.pdf|link=https://energypedia.info/images/7/7e/Annex_no.1_General_conference_background_presentations.pdf|border|center|450x450px]]
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 Presentation of the Renewables Grid Initiative, unique collaboration of NGOs and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) from across Europe. RGI fosters knowledge exchange, discussions on the grid infrastructure needs, and the implementation of best practices about Grids & Energy Systems, Energy & Nature, and Energy & Society. The speaker pointed out to the relevance of Community and local benefits (CLB) in the electricity grid development. CLB are measures that bring added value to local communities affected by the infrastructure in their locality in order to enhance project’s acceptance, and to empower communities in decision-making processes as well as support the revitalisation of rural areas. To increase the legitimacy of CLB, addressing the community and engaging it early in project planning as well as clear, transparent and accessible information is key along with in-person contacts.
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 The speaker highlighted that the energy transition is reshaping power systems through rapid renewable expansion and a shift toward more distributed generation. He pointed out that power grids are evolving from passive infrastructure into active enablers, but face challenges such as ageing assets, limited capacity, and increasing stress from high renewable penetration and cross-border flows. The Western Balkans are characterized by high demand for grid connections, outdated assets, and increasing system pressures, while investment levels remain below what is required to support the transition. The expert concluded that without timely and coordinated upgrades, grids will remain a critical bottleneck for decarbonisation and system security.
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 '''CBAM and the Western Balkans (Rouven Stubbe, Energy and Climate Policy Advisor, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie)'''
-This key expert input explains the core functioning of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), focusing on its role in applying a carbon cost to electricity exports to the EU and giving some insights into methodological discussions. Particularly the proposed shift from fossil-based default values to grid-based emission factors would better reflect the actual generation mix of exporting countries and could reduce the carbon cost for systems with a higher share of renewables. Presenting early market evidence, he highlighted that electricity price spreads between the EU and Western Balkans have already increased following CBAM introduction. This indicates that expected carbon costs are being priced in, affecting cross-border electricity flows, increasing volatility on interconnectors, and influencing short-term market behaviour. CBAM sends a strong signal for the Western Balkans to accelerate decarbonisation, align with EU market rules, and consider the introduction of carbon pricing mechanisms to maintain competitiveness and secure continued access to the EU electricity market.
+This key expert input explains the core functioning of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), focusing on its role in applying a carbon cost to electricity exports to the EU and giving some insights into methodological discussions. Presenting early market evidence, he highlighted that electricity price spreads between the EU and Western Balkans have already increased following CBAM introduction. This indicates that expected carbon costs are being priced in, affecting cross-border electricity flows, increasing volatility on interconnectors, and influencing short-term market behaviour. CBAM sends a strong signal for the Western Balkans to accelerate decarbonisation, align with EU market rules, and consider the introduction of carbon pricing mechanisms to maintain competitiveness and secure continued access to the EU electricity market.
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 '''Future Grids: Outlook and Strategic Perspectives (Goran Levačić, HOPS Croatian Transmission System Operator Plc.)'''
-The speaker highlighted that the energy transition is reshaping power systems through rapid renewable expansion and a shift toward more distributed generation. He pointed out that power grids are evolving from passive infrastructure into active enablers, but face challenges such as ageing assets, limited capacity, and increasing stress from high renewable penetration and cross-border flows. He emphasised that the Western Balkans face a major grid investment gap, and concluded that without timely and coordinated upgrades, grids will remain a critical bottleneck for decarbonisation and system security.
+The speaker highlighted that the energy transition is reshaping power systems through rapid renewable expansion and a shift toward more distributed generation. He pointed out that power grids are evolving from passive infrastructure into active enablers, but face challenges such as ageing assets, limited capacity, and increasing stress from high renewable penetration and cross-border flows. The Western Balkans are characterized by high demand for grid connections, outdated assets, and increasing system pressures, while investment levels remain below what is required to support the transition. The expert concluded that without timely and coordinated upgrades, grids will remain a critical bottleneck for decarbonisation and system security.
 </div>
 </div>

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:52, 27 April 2026
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		+	[[File:Annex no.5 Key expert input no.3 Future of the grids in EU- key expert input, presented by Goran Levacic.pdf\|alt=]]
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		+	<div class="width-2-3 card" style="border: 3px solid #29a5a5; padding: 15px; border-radius: 8px;">
		+
		+	'''Future Grids: Outlook and Strategic Perspectives (Goran Levačić, HOPS Croatian Transmission System Operator Plc.)'''
		+
		+	The speaker highlighted that the energy transition is reshaping power systems through rapid renewable expansion and a shift toward more distributed generation. He pointed out that power grids are evolving from passive infrastructure into active enablers, but face challenges such as ageing assets, limited capacity, and increasing stress from high renewable penetration and cross-border flows. He emphasised that the Western Balkans face a major grid investment gap, and concluded that without timely and coordinated upgrades, grids will remain a critical bottleneck for decarbonisation and system security.
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		+