Sarajevo Energy Forum 2024: MARES, GIZ, and Solar Academy Unite in Memorandum for Renewable Energy Collaboration
At the Sarajevo Energy Forum on January 30, 2024, MARES joined forces with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Solar Academy Association for Renewable Energy from Bosnia and Herzegovina and formalized a Memorandum of Understanding. The memorandum was officially signed by Slobodan Popovski, President of MARES, Nicolas Heger, GIZ Project Manager, and Senad Šepić, President of Solar Academy.
The primary objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to enhance collaboration within the Western Balkan countries, emphasizing the integration of renewable energy into the power grid. A crucial element of this collaboration involves sharing expertise among associations and experts to optimize the effective use of renewable energy sources. Additionally, the parties aim to strengthen technical and organizational capacities for interested stakeholders in establishing new renewable energy associations in areas where formal structures are lacking, raise awareness for renewable energy, and advocate for green jobs.
During the first panel discussion “Rethinking our way of providing energy and relation to the environment,” moderated by Elvir Bucalo, editor at BHRT, Slobodan Popovski shared insights as the President of MARES. Alongside panelists Anes Kazagić from Elektroprivreda BiH, Marija Pujo Tadić from the International Institute for Climate Action in Croatia, Miroslav Nikolić from Elektroprivreda HZHB, and Semir Hambo, editor-in-chief of the portal Klix.
Popovski addressed key aspects of North Macedonia’s energy landscape. He provided valuable perspectives on the current state of electricity production, the transition plan towards renewable energy, and the legislative framework governing the transmission and distribution network.
Regarding the memorandum, he firmly emphasized, “The outlined activities of the memorandum align with the fundamental principles and concepts upon which MARES is founded. Through this memorandum, MARES attains a milestone by securing support from major international organizations, both in terms of technical assistance and financial backing. MARES is a Macedonian association for renewable energy sources, and North Macedonia is part of a continuous energy infrastructure that equally involves countries from the region participating in the GIZ project. Given this context, MARES firmly believes that such collaboration is not only beneficial but also imperative”.
Nicolas Heger stated, “Energy transmission is all about physics, not about politics. Technologies that we’re exploring will work around the region, irrespective of the language or borders. GIZ is providing a safe environment where advantages of RE grid integration can be discussed openly, in between specialist and managers of electricity sector in Western Balkans”.
*Participation in the Sarajevo Energy Forum was realized through the „Green Agenda: Decarbonisation of the Electricity in the Western Balkans“ project, which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ.
