National Energy and Climate Plans

Background

The NECPs remain a great opportunity for the Western Balkan countries to provide their comprehensive national pathways towards the adopted targets, but more importantly define the key policies and measures that would lead the energy transition. Therefore, it is crucial to have credible and cohesive NECPs, considering the 2030 targets as the minimum with the vision of reaching climate neutrality in the Western Balkans in line with the Paris Agreement.

In short
  • Albania
  • Albania planned to create its first National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030 in 2020, but delays occurred due to COVID-19. The NECP builds on the National Energy Strategy and aligns with updated climate goals. Despite challenges in accessing detailed data, progress was made with the help of UNDP projects. However, better data collection and transparency are needed for future efforts.
  • Download the draft NECP
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030 aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 41.21% from 1990 levels and boost renewable energy to 43.62%. The plan includes shutting down coal plants, installing over 2,000 MW of renewable energy (mainly solar and wind), and launching an emissions trading system by 2026. However, it faces challenges such as the continued operation of old coal plants and the need for clearer policies and investments.
  • Download the draft NECP
  • Kosovo
  • Kosovo’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021- 2030 includes  reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy capacity, and enhancing energy security. The draft plan proposes refurbishing units at the Kosovo A power plant and installing new renewable energy projects, including over 100 MW of solar power. The draft NECP faces challenges including coal dependency, lack of a clear coal phase-out plan, insufficient public consultation, data and analysis gaps, energy security concerns, and ambitious renewable energy target.
  • Download the draft NECP
  • Montenegro
  • Montenegro’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), aiming for adoption by June 2024, focuses on transitioning to renewable energy and phasing out coal, particularly from the Pljevlja power plant, a major CO2 emitter. The plan includes developing hydropower, solar, and wind projects to increase renewable energy’s share and improve energy efficiency through legislative amendments.
  • NECP not submitted
  • North Macedonia
  • North Macedonia’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) aims to transition to renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 82% from 1992 levels by 2030. The plan includes closing coal-fired power plants by 2027, introducing a CO2 tax, and increasing renewable energy to 38% of final energy consumption. It also focuses on reducing energy dependence by diversifying energy sources and improving efficiency.
  • Download the adopted NECP
  • Serbia
  • Serbia’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) aims to transition the country’s energy sector towards sustainability and align with EU climate goals. Key objectives include increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity production to 45% and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40.4% from 1990 levels by 2030. This involves constructing new solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 3.4 GW and a new gas power plant of 350 MW
  • Download the draft NECP
5 main pillars
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Decarbonisation and climate resilience

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Circular economy

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Depollution: air, water & soil

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Biodiversity: protection & restoration of ecosystems

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Biodiversity: protection & restoration of ecosystems

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Governance and implementation

Greenhouse gas emissions should be cut by over 60 percent compared to 1990s levels and limited to 427.64 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The objective, which is part of the EU-mandated national energy and climate plans (NECP), primarily focuses on the energy sector, although eventually transportation and possibly agriculture will come into the spotlight as well.

The Western Balkans region has committed to decarbonise and reach climate neutrality by 2050. In order to reach this goal each state in the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) must develop and implement credible and cohesive National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), which will put the region on track towards decarbonisation and climate neutrality in line with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the Paris Agreement.

Commendable efforts have been made in drafting the NECPs, but there is substantial room for improvement in their final versions, as well as the need for enhanced ambition and concrete strategies to meet and even surpass the national’s climate and energy targets for 2030 and lead countries towards climate neutrality.