Environmental groups across the Western Balkans on Monday urged governments to prioritise renewable energy over proposed U.S.-linked gas infrastructure projects, warning of long-term economic and environmental risks.
In a joint statement, 47 non-governmental organisations called on countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo to resist external pressure and align energy strategies with European Union policies.
The appeal comes as the EU moves to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028, creating an opening for the United States to expand its gas exports into the region.
Activists argue that investing billions in new gas pipelines and infrastructure could lock countries into fossil fuel dependence and undermine climate commitments.
They highlighted a planned agreement between Bosnia and Croatia, expected to be signed at the Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, to transport U.S. liquefied natural gas via a pipeline linked to Croatia’s Krk island terminal.
The project would be led by U.S.-based AAFS Infrastructure and Energy LLC, which has pledged to invest about 1.5 billion euros in the Southern Interconnection pipeline.
Campaigners warned that permitting, land acquisition and construction could take up to a decade, raising concerns about cost efficiency and future demand for gas.
Bosnia’s regional parliament recently amended legislation to formally designate AAFS as the main investor and project leader, drawing scrutiny from both activists and EU officials.
The EU delegation in Bosnia has cautioned that the country must align its energy policies with EU standards as part of its membership ambitions.
Officials reiterated that Bosnia possesses significant renewable energy potential, signalling that future EU support will favour clean energy development over new fossil fuel infrastructure.