Renewable energy sources, salvation for the Western Balkans

But, according to her, the energy transition process, which means the decarbonization of the Western Balkans by 2050, is a concern.

“We must react urgently and the processes we see in the Balkans are slow, they are simply very slow. We should not allow this”, says Matinelli.

Last week in Sarajevo, she led a panel within the “Just Transition” forum, in which representatives of the energy sector of the Western Balkan countries discussed the future of the energy sector.

Radio Free Europe: Where are the countries of the Western Balkans in the decarbonization process?

Chiara Matinelli: An important segment of the process is the speed with which it develops. Elsewhere in Europe, even in the Western Balkans, we have climate change, devastating consequences in agriculture, in nature in general and in everything else, in our lives. We must react urgently and the processes we see in the Balkans are slow, they are simply very slow. We must not allow this.

This is also the purpose of this Forum – how to translate into practice all the statements we have, how to translate the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans into implementation policy, in order to move forward.

Radio Free Europe: How to speed up the processes, where are the biggest challenges and where are the advantages of the Western Balkans?

Chiara Matinelli: Each country differs in its own context and this is something we must respect. If we generalize, we must first be consistent in our decisions. Getting off coal means getting off coal. This means that there will be no more new coal-based projects.

How much coal is used for electricity in the region?

Another important segment is renewable resources – investments in renewable energy that would gradually meet part of the needs in each country. It seems to me that even those who make decisions are understanding this and agree with us on what should be strengthened and what should be stopped.

I emphasize again, the biggest investments in renewable energies (wind and solar) are the most important. Sometimes, we simply forget what is good, trying to stop the bad. Efforts should be focused on new sources of energy.

Radio Free Europe: What do the Ministers of Energy and officials from the Western Balkans tell you? What else do they cite as an obstacle?

Chiara Matinelli: It is interesting that ministers from different countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Ukraine, think that they are under pressure to show what they have done so far, where are the steps forward… This is to was praised. But, personally, I have the feeling that the word “but” is used too often – along with the excuses for the energy crisis… we are living in a critical moment, the war in Ukraine, additional challenges…

My message to them is: OK, these are challenges, but they are symptoms of a crisis that has been present. We should not misuse this as an excuse, but as a way to fix things.

I think one more thing is important – we have to work and think as much as possible in a regional sense, because the region cannot be independent from fossil fuels, if there is no regional market, which would at least meet the needs regional energy.

Radio Free Europe: Power plants in the Western Balkans are the biggest air polluters in Europe. Is this data sufficient reason to start the energy transition more decisively?

Chiara Matinelli: This is a critical element. The pollution situation affects millions of people. In addition to the fact that millions of people suffer and have consequences from this, large sums of money are allocated to remedy the consequences of this situation. It would be better if this money were invested in renewable energy sources, something that would prevent pollution.

Radio Free Europe: Recently, in the Western Balkans, the justification is used that some EU countries have decided to activate some coal-fired power plants, due to the energy crisis and the ban on the import of gas and oil from Russia. How problematic is the reactivation of such power plants?

Chiara Matinelli: Unfortunately, we are seeing this happen. This is a classic emergency response to a crisis, which will block our efforts and lock us into a system that we know causes severe climate change, but also makes us dependent on fossil fuels from Russia or any another place.

This prevents us from living in an energy-secure Europe. This is a step backwards. We’ll have power next week, but in the long run it’s a disaster.

Radio Free Europe: Where are the similarities and where are the differences in the countries of the Western Balkans?

Chiara Matinelli: More investments in renewable energy, but also in the legal framework that will enable them. Before investments, we must have a legal framework that will enable them and attract investors. Some countries have them, some are still working on them. The energy community is doing a good job on this, but some things are not finished yet.

Of course, this is not only a problem of the Western Balkans. But it is important that this region does not fall into the trap that, trying to abandon coal, it starts to depend on Russian gas, for example.

Radio Free Europe: Why is the Western Balkans so open to Chinese investment, which is often focused on fossil fuels for energy or hydropower? The latest example is Unit 7 of the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina…

Chiara Matinelli: What we have as a given is that companies from the EU are still the biggest investors in the countries of the Western Balkans. As for the question of why Chinese investments are making so much noise, I think they require the fulfillment of fewer conditions. This is why it is easier to secure such investments.

I don’t want to blame only others, of course even EU companies don’t always work strictly, according to the rules… but, if we talk about Chinese companies, they don’t require strict standards, environmental, or such that have deal with workers’ rights.

Radio Free Europe: Can it be said that such investments are more risky?

Chiara Matinelli: I will not say that they are more dangerous, but they will keep the Western Balkans in a system that we are trying to change. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t cooperate with Chinese companies at all, but we have to make sure that they meet the conditions that we ask for. We hold the key when it comes to environmental standards and standards for workers’ rights and conditions.

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