Earlier this month, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state-owned utility EPBiH launched a procurement procedure for the construction of a flue gas denitrification facility at the Kakanj thermal power plant, representing a significant step toward aligning the country’s coal-based electricity generation with European environmental standards. The value of the investment is estimated at around €32 million.
The tender has been designed as a multi-stage process, starting with prequalification, followed by the submission of initial bids, negotiations and final offers. The project foresees the installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology on units 6 and 7, which will substantially cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
The implementation will be carried out under an EPC turnkey model, making the contractor fully responsible for design, construction and commissioning. The scope of work includes preparation of technical and investment documentation, preliminary activities, construction of the SCR systems, performance testing, initial commissioning and trial operation. The entire project is scheduled for completion within 24 months from the contract’s effective date.
This investment is part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations as a member of the Energy Community, particularly in meeting EU directives that limit emissions of SO₂, NOx and particulate matter from coal-fired power plants. The upgrade is intended to ensure compliance with the National Emission Reduction Plan, reducing NOx emissions to no more than 150 mg/Nm³.
The newly installed systems are expected to have an operational lifespan of 20 years, with project completion targeted for the end of 2027, in line with regulatory requirements in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once finalized, the modernization will allow units 6 and 7 to remain in operation, contributing up to 2 TWh of electricity annually, while also delivering notable environmental and public health benefits and increasing the participation of domestic companies during construction and operation.