Energy efficiency represents one of the fastest ways for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness, particularly in manufacturing sectors where energy accounts for a significant share of total operating expenses. Findings from a report on companies’ needs in the field of energy transition indicate that this topic is also directly linked to the EU market: 73% of surveyed manufacturing SMEs report exporting to the EU, meaning that, in addition to price and quality, buyers increasingly expect better control of energy consumption, resource use, and related documentation.
In practice, the greatest potential for savings usually lies in a combination of organizational and technical measures that do not require major investments at the outset but do require a systematic approach. It is therefore significant that 66% of companies have never conducted an energy audit and 79% do not have a person responsible for energy efficiency. This means that in many firms even the basic identification of energy losses and the introduction of clear responsibilities can create opportunities for savings. In addition, 85% of companies do not use digital tools for monitoring and managing energy consumption, which indicates that potential savings are often lost because companies lack precise insight into where the highest costs arise and do not have the data needed to make informed decisions.
Industry experience shows that savings become realistic once energy is treated as a manageable category rather than as a fixed cost. Savings are typically achieved through reducing unnecessary consumption, optimizing equipment operation, improving plant management (including heating, cooling and compressed air systems), and implementing measures based on actual measurements. As a result, energy efficiency often produces a dual effect: direct cost reductions and stronger market readiness, as companies are better able to respond to inquiries from buyers and partners regarding energy consumption and improvement plans.
In this context, the DESET project (Digitally Enabled Sustainable Energy Transition of manufacturing SMEs) plays an important role. The project is implemented by Eda – Enterprise Development Agency, with financial support from the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), within the EU Private Sector Development initiative (EU4PSD). The goal of the project is to provide practical support for energy transition and the digitalization of energy management. The project builds on needs identified in the report by combining advisory and expert support that helps companies identify where the largest losses occur, establish basic monitoring of energy consumption, and select measures that deliver measurable results.
For companies, it is particularly important that this type of support is not generic but based on expert engagement with individual businesses. Through the activities of the project, SMEs can expect access to expertise covering technical aspects of energy efficiency in production, digital solutions for measuring and monitoring energy consumption, and support in defining concrete improvement plans that are financially and operationally realistic for each company. In this way, companies gain a clearer pathway from their current situation to concrete savings, with the possibility of introducing measures gradually according to priorities and available capacities.
The energy transition of manufacturing SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot rely solely on long-term investments; it must begin with fundamental steps: understanding energy consumption, identifying losses, introducing responsibilities, and using data to guide decision-making. This is where the greatest potential for rapid savings and increased competitiveness lies, particularly for companies already oriented toward the EU market.
