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April 30, 2025
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Janom Investments reaches ready-to-build stage for 30 MW solar power plant in Croatia

Around a year after announcing its pilot project in Croatia’s Slavonia region, Janom Investments has reached the ready-to-build stage for the 30 MW photovoltaic plant.

This marks Janom Investments’s first investment in Croatia and a significant step in its regional expansion. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with commissioning planned for the second quarter of 2026.

The project is supported by Ekonerg, a Croatian engineering firm, which is providing technical assistance throughout the development and construction process.

Sršeň: We will do our utmost to deliver this solar power plant to the grid by Q2 2026

A recent meeting in Klakar in Slavonia brought together Janom Investments’ CEO Andrej Sršeň and CIO Radovan Šavolt, Ekonerg’s Boris Režek, and Klakar Mayor Tomislav Pendić to discuss the upcoming construction phase and long-term cooperation.

Andrej Sršeň, CEO of Janom Investments, said they are proud to be part of one of the largest PV projects in Croatia to date.

“We appreciate the strong support from the Municipality of Klakar throughout the permitting process and will do our utmost to deliver this solar power plant to the grid by Q2 2026,” Sršeň stated.

According to Tomislav Pendić, Mayor of Klakar, the project will contribute to Croatia’s decarbonization goals. “This solar power plant not only supports the country’s green transition but will also bring tangible benefits to our municipality through a long-term land lease, providing additional revenue to support public services,” he stressed.

Janom Investments is currently advancing the permitting for a portfolio of solar and wind projects totaling more than 200 MW

Janom Investments is currently advancing the permitting process for a portfolio of solar and wind projects totaling more than 200 MW in Croatia.

The company also plans to leverage its expertise in battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support grid modernization and resilience.

Of note, a month ago Janom Investments, a leading CEE investor in clean technologies and co-founder of GreenWay, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable mobility by participating in another investment round for the company. This round was worth more than EUR 50 million.

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April 30, 2025
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CEO of Kosovo* TSO KOSTT dismissed amid allegations of abuse of office

The Board of Directors of Transmission, System and Market Operator (KOSTT) of Kosovo* fired Chief Executive Officer Evetar Zeqiri after a complaint that former board members sent to the Special Prosecutor’s Office surfaced in the media. The company appointed Shaban Neziri as acting CEO.

Evetar Zeqiri is dismissed from the top position in KOSTT, the transmission system operator (TSO) of Kosovo*, but also fired. The board deposed the CEO, who led the government-controlled company since October 2022, and replaced him with Shaban Neziri, in an acting capacity.

Just before the announcement, the Dukagjini television station showed criminal charges that former board members allegedly filed with the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Zeqiri for abuse of office. KOSTT denied the connection between its move and “the reports published in some media.”

Allegations of interfering in procurements

According to the document, the former CEO violated his obligations regarding finance, interfered in procurement, set discriminatory criteria and demanded that all technical specifications for the company’s projects be sent to him in advance. The allegations include influence to make illegal decisions and failing to properly inform the board, causing financial damages to the company. Zeqiri has asked legal entities to withdraw their bids, during evaluation, according to the report.

The authors of the complaint, who weren’t named, said they raised concerns several times, but that they were a minority within the board and that both its then-Chairman Jeton Mehmeti and CEO Zeqiri blocked them.

KOSTT cites poor personnel management, investment

The same media outlet obtained the decision to remove Zeqiri. The board said his personnel changes impacted the functioning of the enterprise’s operational structures and the motivation of the staff. It cited unsatisfactory capital investment and improper planning of projects in the budget.

Acting CEO Neziri is an electrical engineer, in KOSTT since its establishment.

From 2021 to 2024, Kosovo* imported electricity worth nearly EUR 590 million in total, according to Klan Kosova. One of the main importers is Noa Energy Trade, a company with an apparently unknown address and owner.

Notably, government-owned Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) has been led by acting CEOs for the past two years, since CEO Nagip Krasniqi was arrested. The current interim head is Gramos Hashani.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 30, 2025
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Investors in BiH developing 3,800 MW of wind, 12,500 MW of solar

Wind farms with a capacity of 3,800 MW and solar power plants with a capacity of 12,500 MW are currently in various stages of development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the indicative plan for the development of production  2026-2035, published by the Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The goal of the ten-year plan is to provide information on projects initiated for the construction of new production capacities to be connected to the transmission system, according to the transmission system operator (TSO), Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina (NOSBiH).

The plan is supposed to prioritize covering domestic consumption and capacity needs with domestic resources.

NOSBiH said investors continued in 2024 to apply with their renewable energy projects. The interest in grid connections wasn’t affected by the significant reduction in electricity purchase prices, especially for the hours when solar power plants typically produce, it added in the plan

A lack of transmission capacities could become an obstacle to the export of electricity

According to the register of the applications for grid connections, which Elektroprenos BiH manages, there are about 3,800 MW of proposed wind farms and 12,500 MW of photovoltaic facilities in various stages of development, NOSBiH underlined.

Results of an adequacy assessment showed that increasing production makes it possible to increase exports. BiH’s TSO warned that in such a scenario, the currently planned transmission capacity expansion wouldn’t be sufficient.

Another 100 MW of solar is seen coming online in BiH by the end of 2025

With the current production development plans, the system could be left without sufficient balancing capacities. NOSBiH therefore called for developing balancing capacities in parallel.

The document shows that four solar power plants of 206 MW in total were added last year to the transmission network in BiH: FNE Zvizdan (28.5 MW), SE Bileća (55 MW), FNE Hodovo (92.47 MW), and FNE Deling invest 1 (29.75 MW), together with one wind farm, VE Ivovik, of 84 MW. In February of this year, the Ivan Sedlo wind farm (25 MW) was also put online.

By the end of 2025, the start of trial operation of another five PV plants is expected, the plan showed. They would have 100 MW altogether: FNE Hodovo F1-F4 (11.96 MW), FNE Brotnjo (9.98 MW), FNE Polog 1-8 (7.99 MW), FNE Plavo Sunce 1-2 (40 MW) and FNE Livno 1-6 (27.6 MW).

Batteries can bridge the period until the transmission grid capacity becomes adequate

The plan anticipates a similar tempo of grid connections for 2026, too.

In that case, along with the integration of renewables into the distribution network and similar power plants coming online in neighboring countries, a congestion can appear in the transmission network, together with complications in operating the country’s transmission system from a regulatory point of view, NOSBiH said.

Battery energy storage systems can solve both potential issues in the medium term, until investments get the transmission grid to an adequate level, it suggested.

BiH needs battery capability of 225 MW and 450 MWh in total capacity

The company recalled that a year ago it produced a study, together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), provisionally called Operational Models for Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Balancing Market of NOS BiH.

They estimated the need for additional balancing based on hour-by-hour production profiles for facilities of 1,500 MW in total photovoltaic capacity and 1,000 MW of wind. The authors said a combined 225 MW in battery operating power is required and an overall capacity of 450 MWh.

The study also explored revenue generation opportunities for BESS, particularly through participation in the ancillary services market.

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April 30, 2025
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Greek farmers turn their backs on government program for photovoltaics

The Greek government’s Photovoltaics in Fields support program has failed to convince farmers so far.

As part of the self-consumption program, farmers are supported for various costs, such as the purchase and installation of panels, inverters, batteries, as well as necessary technical studies.

Applications are accepted for two different project groups, when it comes to connection priority. The first is for installations of up to 10.8 kW and another for projects of 10.8 kW to 50 kW.

Selected investments are eligible for a grant equivalent to 30% or up to EUR 350 per kW. The overall budget is EUR 30 million.

Only 143 photovoltaic systems connected so far

In the year since the program’s launch, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) received a total of 1,776 applications, of which 1,235 are still under evaluation. The first checks are complete in 794 cases while 377 projects are at the connection terms signing stage.

Only 209 applicants have signed them, while 143 photovoltaic systems have become operational across the country.

Operational restrictions weigh on incentives

The problem for farmers is that HEDNO has enforced operational restrictions in about one third of the accepted units. It means they don’t produce freely, but are subject to curtailments.

The government is mocking farmers

Therefore, profitability drops significantly for investors. It is notable that two out of every three farmers who originally applied didn’t continue the process.

Various agricultural collectives have reacted. Stock farmers of Elassona in Larissa spoke of “a mockery by public bodies, as they promised photovoltaics will solve high energy costs.”

The Ministry of Environment and Energy said it would extend the connection applications deadline by 160 days to include more investors. Furthermore, it would delay the required commencement date for the projects until the end of September.

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April 30, 2025
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Join Young Bled Strategic Forum – applications now open

At the end of August, Slovenia will once again host one of the most inspiring international youth gatherings – the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF), which will take place from August 29 to 31 in Pokljuka. Applications for participation are now officially open.

Young BSF was launched in 2011 as a side event of the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), bringing together students and young professionals. Since then, it has evolved into an independent and standalone platform.

This year’s edition of the forum is titled ‘What Values?’ and it will focus on exploring the relationship between personal and collective values and their role in shaping global politics.

Applications are open until April 27

Applications for this year’s Young BSF, which will be held from August 29 to 31 in Pokljuka, are open until April 27, and all interested candidates can apply via the form available on the BSF website. Attendance is free, and all costs are covered by the organizers.

The platform is shaped by the participants themselves – young people aged 18 to 35 working in the broadly defined field of world politics. “We seek candidates from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and regions. Whether you’re an activist, engineer, diplomat, philosopher, entrepreneur, artist, or professional in any field with a strong interest in international politics – if you’re passionate about creating positive change, we encourage you to apply,” the organizers said in the announcement.

The forum will gather around 40 participants from all over the world, offering them a space to exchange ideas, reflect together, and design solutions for today’s global challenges.

After the conclusion of the Young BSF program, participants will also attend the 20th Bled Strategic Forum

The main thematic areas are the crises of the rules-based international order, conflicting value systems of the climate emergency, and the perspectives of the people implementing policies on a global scale. Young leaders, activists, researchers, and professionals will strive to open a dialogue on the key issues of our time.

The forum aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of contemporary social phenomena and to encourage positive change in both local and global communities, through the exchange of ideas and collaborative work on concrete challenges.

Following the Young BSF program, participants will attend the 20th Bled Strategic Forum in Bled on September 1 and 2, where they will take part as panelists, moderators, and audience members.

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April 30, 2025
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North Macedonia’s MEPSO seeks contractor for power line to Albanian border

Transmission system operator MEPSO launched an international tender for the construction of a 400 kV transmission line, the North Macedonian part of a planned interconnection with Albania. The company earlier canceled the contract with Energoinvest, which began building it four years ago.

State-owned MEPSO said the project is of great importance for the energy stability of North Macedonia and regional integration. The tender is for the construction of an overhead transmission line of one hundred kilometers from the Bitola 2 transformer station to the North Macedonian – Albanian border.

The call was issued after the cancellation of the contract under which construction initially began in 2021.

North Macedonia, Albania waiting over three decades for electricity interconnection

The investment is valued at EUR 17 million. The project is funded through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and grants from the European Union.

The North Macedonian part of the interconnector with Albania is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027

„I regret that for more than three decades, despite political pluralism and democratic changes, there was no institutional courage and vision to establish an electricity connection with Albania. Today, we are correcting this historical omission,” said Burim Latifi, Director-General of MEPSO.

The transmission line is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with construction set to begin in early 2026, according to the country’s electricity transmission system operator (TSO).

The deadline for submitting bids is 45 days, and the selection of the most favorable bidder is expected in the third quarter of 2025, MEPSO added.

Latifi: Energoinvest jeopardized power line project

The company claimed the previous contractor, Energoinvest from Bosnia and Herzegovina, jeopardized the project and public interest through unjustified requests for additional funds and by unilaterally abandoning the site, leading to the termination of the contract.

So far, only a small portion of the planned towers for the transmission line has been constructed.

„We encountered a seriously neglected project. Out of 269 planned foundations for transmission towers, only 24 were completed, clearly showing the lack of seriousness in completing the project,” Latifi stated.

The funds spent so far were used for equipment procurements

Energoinvest has received EUR 5.8 million, of which EUR 2.5 million was recovered through bank guarantees, he added. Latifi clarified that the funds were used for procuring equipment, now owned by MEPSO.

The company pointed out that the power line would be part of the proposed East-West energy corridor, connecting Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, which is linked with Italy by an undersea cable.

„The construction of this interconnector will position our system as an essential part of European electric power infrastructure, enabling stable participation in regional markets, access to system and balancing services, and providing more secure and economical energy supply for all citizens,” MEPSO states.

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