Who wants it? Who needs it? The Vlora coastal terminal, Albania
Publication | 19 May, 2008The terminal is to be located inside the industry park near a thermo-power plant which has already received lending support from the EBRD, European Investment Bank and the World Banks International Development Association.
Read moreWestern High Speed Diameter: strategic risks of a strategic project
Publication | 19 May, 2008The Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD) is a 46 kilometre toll motorway, part of the IX Pan-European Transport Corridor linking St. Petersburg with Scandinavia. The road has been presented as a strategic investment priority for St. Petersburg by the Russian authorities and international financiers as it is going to be the first public-private partnership in Russia as well as the first toll road in Russia. Yet there are serious doubts that the WHSD will make St. Petersburg a better place.
Read moreEBRD support for ArcelorMittal Temirtau is failing to stem pollution and accidents
Publication | 19 May, 2008In 2007 the EBRD approved a USD 100 million loan for ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT), a metal and mining complex in the Karaganda region of Central Kazakhstan in order to support further improvements to Mittal Steel Temirtaus health and safety practices at its coal mines in Karaganda with the aim to bring them in line with international best practice.
Read moreKaniv Pumped Storage Plant, Ukraine
Publication | 19 May, 2008The EBRD continues to assert the need to increase power efficiency and to develop renewable energy sources. This is why NECU are not entirely clear about the apparent readiness of the EBRD to support a project which has so many weak points and is an integral part of the national strategy that includes measures which have been criticised by the EBRDs experts. The EBRD should be making efforts to help the Ukrainian government develop a power strategy which is much more effective. It should also support projects that aim to increase energy efficiency and the independence of the Ukrainian economy.
Read moreEBRD water projects in Georgia
Publication | 19 May, 2008Since Georgias independence in the early 1990s, due to financial constraints maintenance and repair works at most of the water utilities have been neglected. In order to improve the situation in the water sector, several Georgian city councils have approached the EBRD for financing. While some of the aims of the projects should be welcomed, the decision-making processes, implementation of the projects and the lack of public consultation has caused concerns about the outcomes of the projects.
Read moreIntroduction of cyanide leaching at the Chelopech gold and copper mine
Publication | 19 May, 2008The Chelopech Mining project is separated in two parts: Phase 1 focusing on environmental improvements; and Phase 2 proposing the expansion of metals production through the introduction of cyanide leaching technology. EBRD approved a USD 10 million loan for Phase 1 in 2004. Phase 2 has been under review since 2005, and there has been no progress due to the blocking of the project by the Bulgarian Ministry for the Environment and Waters at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage in March 2006.
Read moreProgress report on the ‘Gazela’ slum resettlement project – EBRD AGM Issue Paper 2008
Publication | 17 May, 2008The Gazela Bridge over the Sava River in Belgrade, Serbia, is more than thirty years old. The bridge was projected for 30000 v/day, currently is servicing more than 150000 v/day. The bridge has never been repaired and urgently needs reparation. The EBRD approved Euro 25 million loan for the reconstruction of approaching roads to Gazela Bridge to the Public Enterprise Serbian Roads.
Read moreBankwatch Mail 36
Publication | 16 May, 2008In this issue: Why is the EBRD tacitly backing Ukraine’s nuke-centric, inefficient energy plans? * Football and PPPs do not mix * Renewables continue to get a rough ride in Georgia * Other transitions are out there – but not as the EBRD knows it * Wake up and smell ArcelorMittal – global case studies reveal who picks up the tab for steel giant * PIP squeaks again: no end in sight to info disclosure constipation at the EBRD
Read moreEBRD response to a letter regarding its involvement in Phase 2 of the Chelopech mining project
Publication | 15 May, 2008Dear Mr Popov Chelopech Mining project – phase 2 Thank you for your letter of 2 May, 2008 in which you share with us your concerns about Chelopech Mining Project (copy attached for reference).
Read moreDead workers, stinking pollution and forced evictions: New report highlights ArcelorMittal’s global trail of destruction
Press release | 13 May, 2008A newly-formed coalition of environmental and community groups [1] – Global Action on ArcelorMittal – today released a report showing how local residents and workers around the world pay the price of ArcelorMittal’s success.
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