http://www.elektroprivreda.ba/np/ep/epp
http://www.elektroprivreda-rs.com/
As Bosnia-Herzegovina's map is divided amongst its three main ethnic groups, its
electricity companies are, too. The country has three electric utilities, all state-owned.
The largest, Sarajevo-based Elektroprivreda Bosne i Herzegovine (EP BiH), had sales of BAM 633 million in 2005 or about €320 million.
Mostar-based Elektroprivreda Herceg Bosna (EP HZHB), the smallest of the companies, serves the Croat population in Herzegovina.
Elektroprivreda Srpske in the Republika Srpska (EP RS) is based in Trebinje. In September, the RS government announced that the utility would become a holding company.
EP RS and EP BiH have more capacity to generate power than they have need and so both organizations export to surrounding countries. BiH, along with Bulgaria and Romania are the only countries in the region with spare capacity. EP BiH has a long term contract to sell power to Croatia at a below market price to pay off investments made in BiH by Croatian state companies before the war.
The Office of the High Representative, which represents the international community in BiH, has accused both EP HZHB and EP RS of serious corruption. The OHR published special audits of both companies in 2003.
One audit said that EP RS had lost more than $90 million annually because of mismanagement, conflict of interest and theft. The audit also questioned said EPS's contracts with its main business partner, Energy Financing Team.
The OHR audit of EP HB said the company had lost $28 million between 2001 and 2002, again because of mismanagement, conflict of interest and theft.
Both audits resulted in the dismissal or resignation of top company officials.
