Balkan Renewable Energy Program – Western Balkans

This activity is spurring the sustainable development of renewable energy markets in the Western Balkans. The Balkan Renewable Energy Program’s goal is to “green” economies of member countries, diversify their energy mix, and support their path toward joining the European Union. Helping Western Balkans countries transition to a low carbon future will also result in environmental and social benefits.

Fast facts:

Launched in 2010 with three countries – expanded to include three more in 2012;
$8.6 million directly invested in development of small hydro power in Albania;
$13.6 million in loans secured for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in Albania;
Brokered key policy documents and decrees in several countries;
Developed capacity-building training programs for local financial institutions.

The problem

Climate change not only threatens to wreak havoc on our global infrastructure, it is also a serious impediment to the further development of countries. Climate change will place additional barriers to the eradication of extreme poverty and the promotion of overall shared prosperity, particularly in emerging economies like those in the Western Balkans.

The solution

The Balkan Renewable Energy Program provides assistance to the energy sector’s main stakeholders – the ministries, project developers, and local financial institutions – in Western Balkan countries. The project addresses a broad range of market barriers, and seeks to trigger significant transformation in those markets. It takes a programmatic approach by working to improve the regulatory framework for renewable energy to open the market; supporting early movers (i.e., project developers) with technical assistance in renewable energy project development; and by offering technical assistance to local banks.

Helping the planet

Transitioning to renewable energy will allay the region’s current heavy dependence on coal, reducing the release of air pollutants including greenhouse gases. In addition, updating regional grids and developing renewable domestic energy sources will decrease losses of electricity from transmission and distribution, conserving the energy produced by using it more efficiently.

Helping people

Reforms in the region’s energy sector that make electricity cheaper and more easily available are certain to tangibly improve the livelihoods and living conditions of Western Balkan people, particularly in urban areas.

Scaling up

This project has made special efforts to share knowledge and lessons learned through newsletters, manuals, and other publications. Indeed, other countries are already keen to replicate some of the early successes witnessed in the Western Balkans. The activity’s emphasis on partnering with governments and the private sector in the Western Balkans helps accelerate the growth of the region’s renewable energy sector. To make the program scalable and replicable, each country project coordinator also has a legal, technical, or financial expert role. Internal processes are also continually examined to ensure that the project is successful.