Representatives of the electricity sector institutions and key stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina met in Neum on 2 and 3 September to discuss the electricity regulatory reform triggered by the Third EU Energy Package and to consider initial proposals for the reviewed legislation in the field.

The second thematic workshop within the scope of the EU funded Project “Development of the EU-acquis compliant electricity legislative framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was convened to present the requirements for independence and activities of the electricity regulatory institutions, as well as to discuss the conceptual legislative changes proposed by the Project Team.

During the first day, the EU Delegation to BiH Programme Manager, Ms Mariangela Fittipaldi, explained the progress expected to be reached in transposition of the EU electricity legislation currently under development within the Project as the first step towards implementation of the legal reform in the field. Following the Energy Community Treaty, the EU electricity Acquis has to be fully transposed in BiH by 1 January 2015.

Participants were introduced with the requirements set by the Third EU Energy Package with regard to formation and competences of the electricity regulatory institutions, and their impact on activities of the regulators in BiH – the State Electricity Regulatory Commission of BiH (SERC), the Regulatory Commission for Energy of Republika Srpska (RERS) and the Regulatory Commission for Electricity in the Federation of BiH (FERC). As the case example, the regulatory experience and practices in Belgium. In addition to regulatory issues, the social protection of the electricity customers was considered. Presentations were given by the representative of the Energy Community Secretariat and by the Project Team.

On Tuesday, the Project Team presented initial legislative proposals for a comprehensive review of the electricity legislation in BiH..  Discussion which will follow will lead towards joint intensive work. Comments should be submitted in September and October, before the public hearings and continuation of the legislative procedure. Technical advice provided by the Project Team covers all four jurisdictions in BiH – the State level, the Entities and the Brcko District.

The Project promotes further electricity sector reforms in line with requirements of the Energy Community Treaty and Stabilisation and Association Agreement between BiH and the EU. The Project worth 1.3 million Euro is implemented by the AAM Management Information Consulting Ltd. as the leader and the Estonian Competition Authority as the partner.