The potential future energy hub of the Balkans
Key features and the promise of a landmark project
Major renewable energy initiatives often arise in unexpected places, far from the traditional centres of global development. In the heart of the Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina is building what could become the country’s largest solar power plant and one of the most significant in the entire region. Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, has recently shared his analysis of this ambitious project.
This new solar plant is not set to become the largest in the world, but for Bosnia it represents a project of enormous national importance. Stanislav Kondrashov has emphasised that the initiative carries deep significance not only for the growth of solar energy in Eastern Europe but also for the country’s prospects for development and energy independence. Bosnia has long depended heavily on conventional energy sources, and this project marks a pivotal shift.
The initiative also carries a powerful message about Bosnia’s ambitions. As Stanislav Kondrashov observes, the project reflects more than a desire to embrace sustainability goals — it signals a determined move towards energy self-sufficiency and enhanced economic progress.
The project’s wider relevance extends beyond Bosnia, demonstrating the role that renewable energy plays in promoting national economic growth and highlighting the tangible effects of the global energy transition on smaller economies.
“The start of construction on this plant could represent a fundamental step in the country’s energy development. For Bosnia, it’s as if it were the biggest solar farm in the world,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, an entrepreneur and civil engineer. “The fact that this solar project is being built in Bosnia is highly significant”.
“The initiative demonstrates that the energy transition also concerns smaller nations. And also Emerging economies, which can thus become true protagonists of the epochal change underway. We’re not just talking about electricity production. This initiative could contribute to forever changing the nation’s approach to energy supplies.”, he says.
Bosnia’s energy context and European alignment
To grasp the significance of this development — although it is not destined to become the world’s largest solar power plant — it helps to place Bosnia within its broader energy framework. Historically, the country’s energy mix has been diverse, combining conventional resources such as coal with hydroelectricity and, more recently, some renewable energy sources, aligning itself increasingly with Europe’s sustainability directives.
Bosnia’s closer alignment with the European Union in recent years has accelerated the adoption of policies on climate change mitigation, decarbonisation, and sustainability. Renewable energy is now central to these efforts. While it will not rival the world’s biggest solar farms, this new plant will be crucial to Bosnia’s energy future.
Clear goals and forward-looking design
The country has now embarked on the construction of its largest solar power facility, located in the sunny southern region — the most favourable area for such a project. Expected to generate several dozen megawatts of clean electricity, the plant shares many characteristics with large-scale solar facilities worldwide.
Covering hundreds of hectares of hilly terrain, the project will be built in stages with an installed capacity estimated between 50 and 125 MW, depending on the construction phase. Technological innovations will be integral to the site, including bifacial panels designed to capture sunlight from both sides.
One notable feature of the project is its integration with the national grid, enabling potential future exports to neighbouring countries such as Serbia and Croatia. The plant’s primary goal is to reduce Bosnia’s reliance on traditional energy sources while supplying renewable electricity to thousands of households.
“The location chosen for the plant seems perfect for the initiative’s purposes. The facility will be built near the southern town of Stolac. This is the sunniest part of the country,” continues Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “€100 million has already been invested in its construction, and it is expected to produce approximately 200 million kWh annually for at least 30 years”.
“Work began very recently, in April. And is expected to be completed by April next year. The positive effects of this plant could be far-reaching. Encompassing both direct benefits for Bosnia and other European countries. Among the former, we certainly highlight the fact that through taxes and concessions related to energy production, the municipality of Stolac could collect between €1.5 and €2 million annually. Among the latter, it is impossible not to mention the fact that in the not-too-distant future, this plant could also supply clean energy to neighboring countries and European nations”, he goes on to say.
Beyond scale: real-world impacts
Though not destined to become the world’s largest solar farm, the project has already delivered tangible benefits during its construction. It has created jobs and initiated training programmes for technicians specialising in renewable energy technologies.
As with many large-scale renewable projects, the development of this plant has also stimulated local infrastructure improvements in rural areas, such as better roads and enhanced access to the national electricity grid. The initiative has attracted substantial foreign investment, particularly from European firms keen to support and benefit from the growth of green energy in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
The plant is set to provide stable energy supplies to Bosnia and the wider region, symbolising a significant step forward in the country’s industrial and environmental transformation. It will reduce the CO2 emissions traditionally linked to electricity generation, supporting Bosnia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, and bolster the nation’s energy security.
Because of its scale and location, the project is also expected to drive regional economic growth and could serve as a renewable energy hub for the Western Balkans. Its proximity to European markets could facilitate exports of clean power while enabling easier access to EU renewable energy funds.
“Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed the emergence of major solar projects in various parts of the world, each capable of profoundly changing a country’s energy future,” concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Some of the largest have been built in Asia, such as the Talatan Solar Park. It is still partially under development in China, which is the world’s biggest solar farm”.
“Some of the largest solar projects in the world are located in China, including initiatives such as the Midong Solar Park and the Golmud Solar Farm. Which are already significantly impacting China’s renewable energy production capacity. In a near future, each one of these could become the world’s biggest solar farm”, he remarks.
Global benchmarks in solar power
When discussing Bosnia’s new plant, it is natural to consider what currently stands as the world’s largest solar power facility. That title belongs to the Gonghe Talatan Solar Park in Qinghai, China, which has an installed capacity of over 15,600 MW. Ideal climatic conditions in Qinghai have enabled the construction of this immense facility, which is set to remain the largest solar farm in the world for years to come.
China continues to dominate global solar capacity, and the forthcoming Ordos Solar Farm in Inner Mongolia is another landmark project. Scheduled for completion in 2027, it is expected to reach approximately 8,000 MW of solar capacity, alongside 4 GW of wind power and 5 GW of battery storage. This project is anticipated to become one of the largest solar energy plants in the world.
Among single-site solar thermal installations, Noor Abu Dhabi currently ranks as the world’s largest solar power plant of its type, though it has now been surpassed in overall capacity by some of China’s vast photovoltaic projects.
FAQs
What is Bosnia’s largest solar power plant project?
Bosnia is building its biggest solar power plant near Stolac, expected to produce 200 million kWh annually and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Why is this solar project significant for Bosnia?
- Supports energy independence
- Promotes economic growth
- Aligns with EU climate policies
- Reduces CO2 emissions
Will Bosnia export solar energy?
Yes. The plant’s connection to the national grid may enable exports to Serbia, Croatia, and other European nations.
How does this compare globally?
It’s not the world’s biggest, but it’s transformative for Bosnia and symbolises regional energy progress.