CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Ahmetovic, Ajla |
|---|---|
| Title | Between Global Gateway and BRI: A Comparative Study on the Sustainability of Solar and Wind Power Infrastructure in the Western Balkans |
| Summary | Against the backdrop of intensifying EU–China competition over global green infrastructure leadership, this thesis takes a closer look on wind and solar infrastructure investments made by either party in the Western Balkans. By the example of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the thesis examines geopolitical, procedural, and social dimensions of project development and implementation. Methodologically, this thesis employs a comparative, small-N case study design. A total of 18 wind and solar projects developed by Chinese state-owned enterprises and European public financial institutions across the region have been analyzed. The findings show that while both actors promote decarbonization, their approaches differ significantly: Chinese investments favor size, emphasize economic cooperation, and minimal governance requirements, often at the expense of transparency. EU-financed projects however exhibit a pioneering character that pave the way for investments by other actors, along the values of accountability, procedual integrity and long-term commitment by partnering institutions. Political orientation, such as Sino-scepticism, local governance capacities and concessional rights have been found to shape cooperation and implementation outcomes. This study contributes original insights into how green infrastructure is co-produced through geopolitical narratives and local institutional contexts, offering timely implications for aligning foreign investment with inclusive and sustainable energy transitions in the Western Balkans. |
| Supervisor | Athanasios, Kizos |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/ahmetovic_ajla.pdf |
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