The realization of the Southern Interconnection project holds particular significance for strengthening the energy security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, diversifying sources and routes of natural gas supply, enhancing regional energy cooperation, as well as aligning with the energy policies and standards of the European Union.
The Draft Law stipulates that the company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy d.o.o., headquartered in Sarajevo, is designated as the investment holder for the gas pipeline construction project.
BH-Gas, the operator of the existing transport system in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the previous holder of the investment-technical documentation and valid acts, is obligated to submit the documentation within 15 days of the Investor's request, provided the Investor covers the actual costs incurred by the Operator of the existing transport system in the Federation of BiH for the preparation of that documentation.
The plan is for the investor to realize the "Southern Interconnection BiH and Republic of Croatia" gas pipeline construction project through the construction of an interconnection transport gas pipeline in Bosnia and Herzegovina along the routes Posušje – Tomislavgrad – Šuica – Kupres – Bugojno – Novi Travnik/Travnik and Posušje - Grude - Široki Brijeg - Mostar.
Also, through the construction of branches for Livno, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Donji Vakuf, Jajce, and a branch for Čapljina, as well as the construction of an additional route Kladanj - Tuzla.
Regarding land expropriation for construction purposes, the Law makes a clear distinction between private and public property.
The Draft explicitly defines that the investor is obligated to compensate individuals, i.e., owners of private properties subject to expropriation.
On the other hand, exempting the provisions of the Expropriation Law, the investor is relieved from paying compensation for expropriated property if it is owned by the Federation of BiH, cantons, cities, municipalities, or public enterprises or public institutions.
To prevent administrative delays, an acceleration of bureaucratic processes at the local level is envisaged. Municipal administrative services conducting expropriation procedures are required to form dedicated commissions. These commissions will have the task of prioritizing expropriation cases related to the realization of the Southern Interconnection project.
Additionally, all expropriated properties acquire the legal status of assets of general interest. As clarified in the law's explanation, this move aims to facilitate easier expropriation and faster registration of changes in land registers, thereby aligning the process with the Law on Property Rights and the Expropriation Law.
It should be recalled that the plan is to connect the new Southern Interconnection gas pipeline to the already existing Travnik - Zenica - Visoko - Sarajevo - Zvornik gas pipeline.