Croatia’s EU funds spending plans: Land of unfulfilled clean energy potential
February 4, 2016
EU funds could do a whole lot more to help the transformation to an efficient sustainable energy system in Croatia if the country adopts an effective strategy to get there, argues our research co-ordinator, Pippa Gallop.
Turceni coal unit in Romania shut down after operating illegally
February 4, 2016
The shut down of a coal-fired power plant unit is another great success for the climate and for clean air in Romania. Many more units may have to follow according to legislation on pollution limits.
Niču hidroelektrane u zaštićenim zonama u JIE
February 1, 2016
Jugoistočna Evropa (JIE) preplavljena je projektima hidroelektrana i postoji ogroman potencijal za štetu u životnoj sredini regiona sa ubitačnom kombinacijom poslednjih divljih reka u Evropi, rasprostranjene korupucije i neadekvatne zaštite prirode. Istovremeno istraživanja pokazuju da je veliki broj planiranih ili projekata koji se realizuju baš u zaštićenim regijama. U Srbiji su od 88 projekata hidroelektrana obuhvaćenih istraživanjem mreže Benkvoč, 57 “grinfild” projekti od kojih je 34 u zaštićenim zonama.
Issues with Serbian electricity company EPS need to be addressed within new EBRD loan
February 1, 2016
As part of its new EUR 200 million loan to the Serbian electricity company EPS, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development aims to assist with “identifying opportunities to improve environmental, safety, social, and labour governance and capacity, and on helping EPS to develop a more strategic approach to managing these issues”. As outlined in this briefing, so far the EBRD’s fifteen-year partnership with EPS has not brought visible improvements in company practices and it is high time for the bank to prove that its engagement can add value.
Romania and the Energy Union: little more than wishful thinking
January 14, 2016
When Maroš Šefčovič, the Commission’s Vice President for the Energy Union visited Bucharest in October 2015 to discuss Romania’s role in the overhaul of Europe’s energy sector, his speech seemed promising at first. It focused on renewables, energy efficiency and research and innovation – all issues that are rarely on the Romanian public agenda. But eventually, much like the Commission’s assessment for Romania (pdf) that was presented during the visit, the message and its level of ambition felt more like much ado about nothing.
Guest post: New report shows that New Kosovo Power Plant would worsen poverty and cripple a fragile economy
January 12, 2016
No-one will ‘freeze to death’ if the planned lignite-fired power plant in Kosovo does not receive support from multilateral development banks, but if it does, low-income households may well end up choosing between electricity and food. How can an institution, whose very mission is to end poverty, justify this project?
Success: 391 hectares of Romanian forest saved in 2015
January 11, 2016
With one more positive court decision just before the end of the year, Bankwatch Romania had a lot to celebrate in 2015.
Hidroelektrane u nacionalnim parkovima i zaštićenim područjima: Zločin prema prirodi u ime profita
January 8, 2016
Međunarodne razvojne banke finansiraju veliki broj hidroelektrana u nacionalnim parkovima, mjestima koja pripadaju svjetskoj baštini i zaštićenim zonama širom Balkana. Prema izvještaju organizacije Bankwatch, od 1.640 planiranih i tekućih projekata u BiH, Makedoniji i Albaniji, pola će biti izgrađeno u nacionalnim parkovima, mjestima koja pripadaju svjetskoj baštini i koja je Evropska unija zaštitila u okviru projekta Natura 2000.
Vodeće banke ulažu milijardu eura u kontroverzne riječne brane na Balkanu
January 6, 2016
Multilateralne razvojne banke finansiraju veliki broj hidroelektrana u nacionalnim parkovima, mjestima koja pripadaju svjetskoj baštini i zaštićenim zonama širom Balkana Međunarodne banke su uložile milione evra u veliki broj hidroelektrana u nacionalnim parkovima i ekološki zaštićenim područjima na Balkanu, ukazuje novi izvještaj. Od 1640 planiranih i tekućih projekata u Bosni, Makedoniji i Albaniji, pola će biti izgrađeno u nacionalnim parkovima, mjestima koja pripadaju svjetskoj baštini i koja je Evropska unija zaštitila u okviru projekta Natura 2000.
Report indicates hundreds of hydro projects under construction in southeast Europe
January 6, 2016
In southeast Europe, there are 1,355 greenfield hydropower plants either being planned or having entered operation since 2005, according to a recently released report. Of these, 200 are in operation and 113 are under construction. The report indicates 823 projects are actively planned and another 171 are regarded as potential.