US Energy and AI Push in Western Balkans Sparks EU Tensions
The United States has undertaken its most significant public investment in recent years within the Western Balkans, finalizing multi-billion-dollar agreements in Albania, Bosnia, and Croatia. A notable $1.5 billion pipeline initiative, named the Southern Interconnection, aims to connect Bosnia with Croatia's LNG terminal. In response, Bosnia revised its laws to appoint AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a US firm, as the primary investor, which has drawn caution from the EU. Jesse Binnall, director of AAFS, previously served on Trump’s legal team. Additionally, US investors are planning three gas-fired power plants for data centers. Croatia's Pantheon Atlas has also expressed intent for a $58 billion AI development, while Albania secured a $6 billion LNG supply deal. This US initiative follows the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, enacted in February.
Key facts
- US made biggest public investment in years in Western Balkans with multi-billion-dollar deals on gas and AI.
- Centerpiece is $1.5 billion Southern Interconnection pipeline between Bosnia and Croatia.
- Bosnia amended legislation to designate AAFS Infrastructure and Energy as main investor without open tender.
- AAFS director Jesse Binnall is former member of Trump's legal team; VP Joseph Flynn is brother of Michael Flynn.
- US plans three gas-fired power plants alongside pipeline to power data centers.
- Pantheon Atlas signed letter of intent for $58 billion AI development and data center in Croatia.
- Albania signed $6 billion, 20-year LNG supply agreement with Venture Global and Aktor.
- EU ambassador Luigi Soreca warned legislation could jeopardize Bosnia's EU energy market access and €1 billion funding.
- Bosnia fully dependent on Russian gas (225 million cubic meters annually) via TurkStream.
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke at Three Seas Initiative forum in Dubrovnik.
Entities
Institutions
- AAFS Infrastructure and Energy
- BH-Gas
- Venture Global
- Aktor
- Pantheon Atlas
- Koncar Group
- Albgaz
- Transparency International
- Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
- Three Seas Initiative
- RFE/RL
- Naked Capitalism
- European Union
- US Energy Department
- US Congress
- Krk LNG terminal
Locations
- United States
- Western Balkans
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Croatia
- Albania
- Serbia
- North Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Kosovo
- Pristina
- Sarajevo
- Dubrovnik
- Tirana
- Krk island
- Prague
- Brussels
- Washington