Critical Review of the Ukraine NPP Safety Upgrade Program
Publication | 8 March, 2012This expert review of Ukraine’s Nuclear Power Plant Safety Upgrade Program, that’s to be financed by Euratom and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development shows that some of the measures included in the SUP are necessary for the lifetime expansion of the plants and not for their regular functioning until the initially planned term.
Read moreCOGEN Slovakia, Cogeneration in Povazsky Chlmec
Publication | 7 March, 2012The new greenfield gas cogeneration power plant COGEN in north Slovakia is planned to produce power and heat. Located in Považský Chlmec, a town in the Žilina district, the new plant would further deteriorate the quality of life of locals, who have for decades been suffering from the negative impacts of a nearby waste disposal site and nearby highway.
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The European Commission, an EBRD shareholder that should start acting like one
Blog entry | 1 March, 2012Recent Balkan hydro projects suggest the European Commission could make much better use of its shareholder role in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Read moreDestroying future NATURA 2000 sites in the Balkans. The European Commission’s role in steering the EBRD’s investments
Publication | 1 March, 2012The letter complains about the EU’s negligence of its shareholder role in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and its lack of scrutiny of two recently approved projects that are set to contravene EU principles and standards: the Ombla hyrdopower plant in Croatia and the Boskov Most HPP in Macedonia.
Read moreConfirmatory application regarding disclosure of results of the interservice consultation for Ombla hydropower plant
Publication | 29 February, 2012The EBRD’s Board of Directors approved the Ombla hyrdopower plant project on 22 November 2011, before an assessment had been carried out regarding the project’s impact on a proposed Natura 2000 site. In addition the project is being carried out on the basis of an Environmental Impact Assessment study from 1999, whose content may not fully reflect the requirements of EU legislation in this area.
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Energy Security for whom? For what?
Blog entry | 28 February, 2012A new report by The Corner House critically examines the notion of “energy security,” one of the buzzwords in European politics used to justify controversial infrastructure projects like the Nabucco gas pipeline or high voltage transmission lines in Ukraine. Here an introduction to the report from its authors.
Read moreEnquiry regarding the Natura 2000 assessment process of the Ombla hydropower plant
Publication | 27 February, 2012More information on the Ombla hydropower plant project is available on our website. The EBRD replied to our enquiry on March 1, 2012. Their answer can be downloaded as pdf.
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Out of left field: A Kyrgyz inspiration for the EBRD
Blog entry | 23 February, 2012Following the publication of one official and one shadow report on the Kumtor gold mine, Kyrgyz authorities have responded to the calls of Bankwatch and other environmental groups to take a tougher stance on the Kumtor mining operations. The EBRD should follow their example.
Read moreThe dirty French-Slovenian connection
Press release | 23 February, 2012Slovenian state anti-corruption body claims ALSTOM could have benefited from corrupt acts to get deal to build new lignite plant at Sostanj.
Read moreHigh risk of corruption in Sostanj TES 6: Report by Slovenian Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (unofficial translation)
Publication | 23 February, 2012For many years TES 6 has been surrounded by rumours of corruption. In February 2012 the Slovene State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption published a report stating that acts of corruption could have influenced the awarding of the contract to French company ALSTOM and that the law on the state guarantee itself was initially drafted by employees of HSE, the owner of the Sostanj power complex. Slovene NGO Focus Association for Sustainable Development has translated the report to English. (The original report (in Slovenian language) is available for download here (pdf).)
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