RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONES (REZs) AS A STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABILITY. THE CASE OF BALKANS

Abstract

Renewable energy zones (REZs) have recently been very popular in USA in 2009. The Balkan countries could similarly integrate their individual objectives for the mutual exploit of benefits in renewable energy. Environmental and economic cooperation among the Balkan countries would be attained by REZs in the aspect of continuous energy needs. Energy dependencies for foreign resources, gaps and shortages which are very familiar to the Balkan economies and possible local surplus of the REZs were supposed to be balanced in between the Balkan countries: large national energy zones (NEZs) in the area. Therefore, a synergy would be attained among the REZs in the Balkans. The need of political and diplomatic motivation could be achieved by the suggested Balkan renewable energy charter (BREC). Legal framework would be parallel to the European Union Renewable Energy Directives and Kyoto Protocol seeking environmental value which would be added by REZs. In the study, techniques to provide the development of REZs and the barriers were discussed after a suggested roadmap stating the development phases of the strategic alternative in order to attain independency and sustainability in energy and increased environmental protection for the Balkans.