Turkey pushes dirty coal despite solar potential second only to Spain
November 4, 2013
Istanbul — Following a fact finding mission to the Turkish Black Sea Coast, Bankwatch and Greenpeace Mediterranean publish a paper outlining some of the controversial aspects surrounding Turkish coal power plant plans in the Black Sea region.
EU-backed energy projects will harm people and the environment in the Western Balkans
October 30, 2013
Brussels – NGOs from across the region are expressing very serious concerns about the list of 35 priority energy projects approved by the European Commission-backed Energy Community meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, last Thursday. The decision to support projects that are in conflict with EU environment goals and climate goals has seriously dented the EU’s credibility as a positive force for the protection of the environment and people’s health in the Western Balkans, say the NGOs.
Dirty power plants in Western Balkans and Ukraine set to become EU priority
October 22, 2013
Belgrade – Several environmentally damaging coal and hydropower projects across the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova are likely to be included this Thursday on a priority list of projects of the European Commission-backed Energy Community, meaning they will be fast-tracked for financing over the next years.
Another company withdraws from controversial Plomin C coal plant in Croatia
October 7, 2013
Zagreb — Korean company KOSEP has confirmed that it no longer intends to participate in bidding for the controversial 500 MW Plomin C coal power plant in Croatia. KOSEP is the second of the four strategic bidders shortlisted in September 2012 to pull out of the project, after Polish company POL-MOT withdrew in the spring of this year.
NGOs welcome enquiry by Paris prosecutor into financial crimes related to the VINCI CONCESSIONS RUSSIE SA Moscow-St. Petersburg motorway
October 4, 2013
Paris, 3 October 2013 – Todays announcement by the Paris Prosecutor to open a preliminary enquiry into financial crimes related to the construction of a motorway between Moscow and St. Petersburg [1] has been welcomed by NGOs Sherpa, Russie-Libertés, CEE Bankwatch Network, MOBO Princip, and members of Russian civil society, who lodged the complaint in June 2013.
Leading green NGOs in Europe tell the EBRD to step out of coal
September 30, 2013
Brussels – As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development today closes the public consultation period on its upcoming energy strategy, a coalition of the ten largest environmental organisations working at the European level, the Green 10, is calling on the bank to phase out fossil fuels from its future lending, beginning with coal, and to rule out lending to risky energy sources, such as nuclear and shale gas.
High dust emissions and low efficiency levels pose serious risks to Montenegro lignite project, new analysis shows
September 18, 2013
Podgorica, Montenegro — Failure to comply with the latest EU pollution standards poses serious risks for the planned 220 MW Pljevlja II lignite-fired power plant in Montenegro, according to an analysis published today by NGOs CEE Bankwatch Network and Green Home.
In Georgia, locals voice opposition to mega dam during consultations despite intimidation
September 17, 2013
Khaishi – A public debate over the fate of the Khudoni dam in western Georgia turned tense today as locals opposing the project were intimidated by authorities and the project developer, Transelectrica LTD. Despite the threats, villagers in Khaishi turned out in significant numbers to the consultation to express their opposition to the project.
EBRD gives up Kolubara B lignite power plant project in Serbia
September 9, 2013
Subotica, Serbia — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) confirmed Friday September 6 that it is no longer interested in financing the 750 MW Kolubara B lignite power plant project near Belgrade in Serbia. The project is proposed by Serbian electricity company Elektroprivreda Srbija, with Italy’s Edison as a strategic partner.
Pressure builds on EBRD to quit coal lending
September 4, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lags behind other major international financial institutions that are moving away from supporting dirty energy projects.
