Ahead of Dubrovnik 3SI Summit, 47 civil society organisations warn against Western Balkan gas addiction

In a joint statement, the groups warn that far from merely replacing Russian gas, the plans would massively increase the region’s gas consumption and its dependence on imported fossil fuels. 

For several years, the United States has been pushing projects like the Greece to North Macedonia interconnector, liquid gas (LNG) terminals in Montenegro and Albania, and the southern gas interconnection between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At this week’s Three Seas Initiative Summit in Dubrovnik, an inter-governmental agreement is planned on the latter, while a planned US-Montenegro agreement has already met with strong resistance from civil society and people living near the planned LNG terminal in Bar.

Compared to the EU, the Western Balkan countries have low or no gas dependence. Despite a reduction in consumption, in 2024, gas comprised over 20% of available energy in the EU. But in the Western Balkans, the most gas-dependent countries were Serbia (14%) and North Macedonia (12%). In Bosnia and Herzegovina gas makes up less than 3% of energy, with Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo not connected to international gas infrastructure.

But instead of seeing this as an advantage to capitalise on, most Western Balkan governments are actively planning gas pipelines, power plants and LNG terminals that could collectively triple their 2023 gas consumption. These would, according to the joint statement, either entrap the countries in costly import dependence, or end up as stranded assets. 

Pippa Gallop, CEE Bankwatch Network: ‘In the midst of yet another fossil fuel crisis, it’s unbelievable that governments are still planning new gas pipelines and power plants. They would cost billions, even before the costs of gas are included, and would likely end up as stranded assets, or be heavily subsidised by taxpayers. Planning and construction could easily take a decade in most cases – too late to replace Russian gas – and the region does not have money or time to waste on such expensive mistakes.’

The groups are calling on the region’s governments to focus on appropriately-sited solar and wind generation – supported by existing hydropower and strong grid connections – for electricity generation, and heat pumps, geothermal, and ambient or leftover heat for heating and cooling. They also call for more action on energy efficiency and electrification of the heat and transport sectors.

Contacts:

Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe energy policy officer, CEE Bankwatch Network

pippa.gallop@bankwatch.org

Gligor Radečić, Gas campaign leader, CEE Bankwatch Network

gligor.radecic@bankwatch.org

Notes for editors:

The joint statement, which includes links to the sources of information, is available at link.

For further information on the Western Balkan countries’ gas plans as of September 2025, see here.