Short description of the overall project

With the support of the United States Agency for International Development, NARUC engaged with regulatory agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to support the country’s efforts to align its policies with EU requirements. Along with its participation in NARUC’s regional projects, BiH regulators worked with NARUC on market reforms, electricity retail market frameworks, public engagement, and other critical issues.

The partnership produced enhanced wholesale and retail electricity markets as well as greater capacity and institutional knowledge within the regulatory agencies to adopt reforms mandated by the EU. This work  supported the harmonization of BiH’s regulations toward market-oriented reforms designed to meet the Energy Community’s norms and practices and promote the integration of the BiH energy sector into the broader Southeast and European Energy Market and energy trading bodies.

Short description of activities financed by  the donation

Public Engagement

SERC, FERK, and RERS adopted amendments to the Eligible Customer Supply document in November, October, and December 2014, respectively. The document determined the conditions and procedures for when a supplier of last resort can supply a customer, the rules for customers switching suppliers, and other matters.

Communications

In collaboration with USAID EIA and BiH regulators, NARUC prepared a draft Communications and Customer Education Best Practices and Guidelines document that provided case studies and concrete steps related to the development of the websites and related communications efforts of the regulatory Commissions, such that BiH regulators can more effectively educate the public on the energy sector. A finalized version of the document was completed in March 2017.