The importance of thermal power plants as a part of energy critical infrastructure

This paper examines thermal power plants as a major component of critical energy infrastructure, with an emphasis on the context of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Building on universal definitions of critical infrastructure, the paper highlights the strategic importance of the energy sector, particularly in the Balkan countries, where thermal power plants form the backbone of the electricity system and provide the majority of power supply. The primary objective is to underscore the necessity of recognizing and adequately protecting thermal power plants as vital facilities, whose disruption could trigger cascading and potentially catastrophic consequences for the economy, society, and national security. Content analysis, a review of relevant legal and strategic documents, and a comparative analysis of critical infrastructure protection models in countries of the region and the European Union is used and a detailed overview of the legal frameworks in BiH, Republika Srpska, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and the EU, all of which identify the energy sector as a priority area of critical infrastructure is provided. This paper further explores the range of threats and risks facing thermal power plants - including natural disasters, cyberattacks, insider threats, physical attacks, and technical or technological failures-with particular attention to the phenomenon of "blackouts" and their implications. Finally, a set of comprehensive protection measures, encompassing physical, technical, and cyber security, and emphasizes the need for an integrated approach and a strengthened regulatory framework to safeguard the stability and resilience of the electric power system is proposed.