As winter days have arrived, many households across the Western Balkans continue to struggle to keep their homes warm and pay their electricity bills. At the same time, cities throughout the region face some of the highest air-pollution levels in Europe, with serious health and economic consequences. These challenges may appear entrenched, but the infographic tells a different story: clean energy is no longer a costly ideal – it has become the most affordable and efficient path forward.
Over the past decade, the global cost of renewable technologies has fallen dramatically. While the cost of producing electricity from coal has barely changed (from USD 111 to USD 102 per MWh), and gas prices have declined more moderately, the most significant shift has occurred in renewables. The cost of onshore wind has fallen from USD 135 to USD 41 per MWh, while solar PV has dropped from USD 359 to just USD 40 per MWh. On average, renewables are now officially cheaper than fossil fuels. This development fundamentally reshapes what is economically possible for the region.
Despite this global transition, the Western Balkans remain heavily dependent on coal. This outdated energy mix contributes directly to persistently high levels of energy poverty. According to the Framework for Green Industrial Policies in the Western Balkans, between 10% and 40% of households across the region are unable to keep their homes adequately warm, while many struggle with overdue utility payments. These figures highlight how current energy systems are failing the very people they are meant to serve.
This is why the declining cost of clean energy represents such a critical opportunity. Transitioning to more affordable renewable energy sources can reduce household energy bills, improve public health, and strengthen economic resilience. Cleaner cities mean fewer missed school and workdays, lower healthcare costs, and an overall improvement in quality of life. At the same time, the energy transition creates opportunities for new, higher-quality jobs and modern industrial development.
The message from the data is clear. Clean energy is no longer just a climate ambition; it is now the most cost-effective option for reducing poverty and building healthier communities in the Western Balkans. With the right green industrial policies in place, the region can move toward an energy system that is not only cleaner, but also more affordable and more just. The transition is not merely possible—it is already economically rational.
Learn more about the recommendations for the Western Balkans here.