Electricity production in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased in the first half of 2026, reaching 7.44 TWh, up 3.5% year on year. Domestic consumption stayed broadly stable at 6.15 TWh, supporting a continued export position.
Thermal output declines while hydropower expands
Thermal generation fell by 16.9% to 3.07 TWh, with the decline linked to coal shortages and lower availability at several generating units. Hydropower increased by 32.4% to 3.13 TWh. Over the period, hydro produced slightly more electricity than the thermal fleet, reversing a pattern typical of a system historically dependent on lignite.
The change in generation also coincided with higher output from transmission-connected renewables. Wind and solar generation rose by 16.1% to 0.64 TWh as additional facilities entered operation.
Exports, imports and net surplus in first-half 2026
Electricity exports totalled 3.11 TWh, down 19%, while imports decreased by 38.6% to 1.67 TWh. The net export surplus therefore increased by 28.6% to 1.44 TWh.
The trade balance improved on a physical basis but weakened financially. Export revenue fell by 16.2% to €168 million, while import expenditure declined by 47.1% to €146 million. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a positive electricity trade balance of €23 million, but this was 52.7% lower than in the previous year’s first half.
Hydrology-driven variability and regional supply timing
The gap between physical exports and financial returns was attributed to weaker average sales values, the timing of exports, and continued imports during expensive hours. In a hydro-rich system, an annual export surplus can coexist with purchases during periods of low river flow, plant outages or high domestic load.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remained an exporter into Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia during the period, with the value of that position tied to when electricity is available. Flexible hydropower output sold during evening scarcity was described as carrying greater system and market value than undifferentiated baseload exports.
