Authorities in the Republic of Srpska (RS) say the planned hydropower plant Buk Bijela has attracted growing interest from potential partners in the United States. Energy and Mining Minister Petar Đokić revealed that several US stakeholders have expressed willingness to participate in the development of the project. According to him, the interest reflects the increasing international attention toward energy investments in the Western Balkans.
Minister Đokić confirmed that discussions have already taken place with representatives of the American engineering and construction company Bechtel regarding possible forms of cooperation. The talks focused on exploring partnership models that could include engineering services, project development and broader energy collaboration. Both sides have reportedly shown readiness to continue negotiations and evaluate concrete opportunities for cooperation.
The Government of the Republic of Srpska hopes that interested partners will soon present specific proposals, particularly in areas such as technical expertise, project financing and infrastructure support. Officials believe that international involvement could significantly accelerate the implementation of the hydropower project and strengthen regional energy security.
Authorities in RS consider Buk Bijela to be one of the most promising hydropower developments in the region. Minister Đokić emphasized that the project carries strategic importance not only for the Republic of Srpska but also for the wider regional energy market. The Government has repeatedly stated that it aims to see the construction phase begin as soon as possible.
HPP Buk Bijela is being developed as a joint venture between the state-owned power utility ERS and Serbia’s electricity company EPS. The project is part of the broader Upper Drina hydropower system, which envisages the construction of three hydropower plants along the river. Financing for the project is structured so that the Serbian partner provides 51 percent of the investment, while ERS covers 49 percent, reflecting their ownership shares in the joint company HES Gornja Drina.
The cornerstone for the hydropower plant was laid in 2021, but since then the project has faced significant delays and limited progress. Two major disputes have slowed its development. The first is a legal case before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, initiated by a group of MPs who argued that concession rights for an interstate project should be granted at the state level, rather than by the Republic of Srpska authorities.
The case was later transferred to the Commission for Concessions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has not yet issued a final decision. The second challenge involves UNESCO, following claims by Montenegro that the hydropower plant could negatively affect the protected Durmitor area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These legal and environmental concerns continue to influence the pace of the project’s realization.
