The weakest link: Towards a transmission grid that supports decarbonisation in the Western Balkans

Briefing    |    26 February 2026

For the Western Balkan countries to speed up their energy transformation, it is crucial to improve their transmission grids. These enable the flexibility and the stability of the entire system, as well as cross-border integration.

The countries’ electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) are responsible for the expansion and improvement of grids. Western Balkan TSOs need to speed up their domestic and cross-border investments, as well as improving their coordination in resolving regional problems.

When upgrading their domestic grids, TSOs need to take the realism of planned generation projects into account and plan their limited capacity for investments appropriately. Focusing on fossil fuel projects, as well as unsustainable renewables that are facing public opposition, will delay the implementation of their plans.