Alternative Energy in the Balkans - and Beyond?

With gas (or more importantly lack thereof) becoming a big news story right now in different parts of the globe, most of the focus has been on the political and economic ramifications of the continued use of this resource (take the New York Times or the Guardian, for example). But doesn't this situation also merit a revisiting of the need for alternative energy sources, particularly in parts of the world where they have not been previously explored?

Vesna Zimonjic's Jan. 12 IPS article does just that. With gas flow to Eastern Europe practically nonexistent, the journalist takes a look at possible energy alternatives in the Balkan region. Wind and solar energy are prime examples of resources that have been underutilized but offer great potential compared to traditional resources such as coal and wood which can cause multiple health problems with overuse, the article says.

An article from BalkanInsight.com approximately one month ago before the Eastern Europe gas crisis began says the Balkans are ignoring "the potential gains" to be had from alternative energy resources. An interesting insight is that the resistance to its use is "passive" rather than active, mostly due to encountering the red tape of bureaucracy. Bosnia, for example, does not feel the need to necessarily explore alternative energies because their classification as a developing country means they do not need to meet the requirements to reduce their emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. This definition could have implications for other developing countries who might be considering their reliance on certain energy sources. 

While their Western counterparts are implementing alternative energies such as wind farms at full swing, Eastern Europe has an opportunity to take advantage of some alternatives that  have been previously presented to them but now might seem more palatable due to the current situation.