The Renewable Energy Forum, held on May 11–12 in Belgrade, gathered energy ministers from Serbia and neighboring countries, European Union representatives, executives of leading energy companies, investors, and experts from across the region and Europe to discuss energy transition, renewable energy development, and energy security in the Western Balkans.
Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated that Serbia continues aligning its energy legislation with EU regulations and expects further progress in integrating with the European electricity market. She emphasized that investments in renewable energy, grid modernization, and regional interconnection are essential for the country’s long-term energy stability.
Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, emphasised that Western Balkan countries should no longer wait for full EU membership before implementing energy reforms. According to him, delaying the transition could reduce the competitiveness of regional economies and increase energy costs, particularly due to the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
During the conference, participants agreed that Western Balkan countries must accelerate their energy transition and strengthen integration with the EU energy market. Representatives of institutions, energy companies, and investors highlighted that the region has significant renewable energy potential, but that grid modernization, energy storage capacity, and regulatory reforms are necessary to meet future market demands.
A major focus was also placed on energy security and grid stability. Energy sector representatives stressed that existing power networks were not designed to support a high share of solar and wind energy, meaning that future investments will need to prioritize transmission infrastructure, battery storage systems, and flexible balancing capacities.
The main conclusion of the forum was that the success of the region’s energy transition will depend on the speed of infrastructure investments, stronger regional cooperation, and the availability of European financial support for green energy projects.