Discovering Ukraine’s Nuclear Shadows
Blog entry | 27 April, 2015– UPDATING STORY – A Bankwatch fact-finding mission is currently in Ukraine to explore the state of nuclear energy in the country, particularly in light of intentions to extend the lifetime of 12 Soviet-era nuclear units.
Read moreJailing of prominent human rights activists in Azerbaijan casts a shadow over Europe’s planned gas deals with the Aliyev regime
Press release | 24 April, 2015London, Prague — Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime has been intensifying its crackdown on civil society with the recent jailing of two leading human rights defenders. The Aliyev regime has gained much of its political and financial clout by siphoning off proceedings from the country’s vast oil and gas reserves. These are the same reserves that the EU is now planning to make its next big source of gas, and the same government that the EU still considers a legitimate partner.
Read moreWestern Balkans electricity plans: where will all that power go?
Blog entry | 23 March, 2015Western Balkan countries have ambitious plans to increase their electricity generation over the next years. But what will happen if they all become a regional energy hub? Will there be a demand for all the available electricity?
Read moreNew study sounds the alarm on safety in Ukrainian nuclear power plants operated beyond their design lifetime
Press release | 17 March, 2015Prague, Kiev – In December 2013, Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRIU) has granted a 10 years lifetime extension license to unit 1 in the South Ukraine nuclear power plant. But a new independent study reveals critical vulnerabilities in the 32 year old nuclear unit that could have dangerous ramifications.
Read moreEBRD must not back Egyptian coal imports
Press release | 24 February, 2015Cairo — Ahead of tomorrow’s Board vote on the EBRD loan to CEMEX Egypt, a number of civil society organisations [*], inlcuding Egyptian groups, urge the bank to reject this project not only because it involves support for dirty coal-based production but also because it actually means promoting the plans of a repressive government despite opposition from civil society.
Read moreAgro business shooting star in Ukraine turns into nightmare for investors
Blog entry | 18 February, 2015The story of the defaulted company Mriya Agro Holding shows what risks investors and creditors are willing to take in the pursuit of profit in Ukraine’s agribusiness. Major creditors, including the International Finance Corporation and export credit agencies have been left with little hopes of recoveries. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has escaped the financial loss by a hair’s-breadth.
Read moreEU priority gas pipeline faces fierce opposition in Italy
Blog entry | 17 February, 2015The European Investment Bank recently confirmed plans to finance the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline from Greece via Albania to Italy. Yet a coalition of local mayors will do whatever it takes to stop the project.
Read moreNatural gas left, right and centre at Energy Union conference in Riga
Blog entry | 11 February, 2015Massive infrastructure for transporting natural gas is shaping up to be a centre piece of the Energy Union put forward by the Juncker Commission. This was also the impression Bankwatch campaigners had at an Energy Union conference in Riga last week.
Read moreNew arrests should dampen Serbia’s appetite for coal
Blog entry | 4 February, 2015Corruption cases continue to haunt Serbia’s coal sector as a new round of arrests last week has shown. They also illustrate how the dependence on coal creates vulnerabilities for Serbia’s energy sector and potentially its financiers, in particular in the aftermath of last year’s floods.
Read moreEuropean Investment Bank confirms plans to finance Trans-Adriatic Pipeline
Blog entry | 4 February, 2015On February 2, during the annual meeting between civil society and the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Directors, the EIB revealed that the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) was among its priority projects for 2015 in the Balkans.[*] The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, planned to stretch from Greece via Albania and the Adriatic Sea to Italy, is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, a chain of projects meant to bring natural gas to Europe from the Shah Deniz offshore gas field in Azerbaijan.
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