Coal in the Balkans
August 20, 2017
In contrast to most EU countries, governments across southeast Europe plan new lignite power plants during the next few years. All the projects have serious economic, environmental and legal weaknesses, which would burden electricity consumers and taxpayers for years to come.
Southern Gas Corridor
June 30, 2017
This system of mega-pipelines meant to bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is unnecessary for Europe’s declining gas demand. But the billions in public investments will boost Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime and cause upheaval for transit communities in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Italy.
Nenskra hydropower plant, Georgia
June 22, 2017
The Nenskra dam is the most advanced of Georgia’s massive plans for hydropower installations in the Upper Svaneti region. It will deprive the local community of ethnic Svans of lands and livelihoods, but potential negative impacts have not been properly assessed.
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)
June 19, 2017
Tasked with stimulating the European economy, the new investment fund may just become an extention of the European Investment Bank’s normal lending with very limited additional (green) finance.
Volkswagen’s emissions scandal and the EU’s bank
June 18, 2017
With the spotlight bright on Volkswagen for cheating in emission tests, the EU’s house bank must now come forward and show exactly what it has done to ensure proper oversight over its loans to the company.
Mombasa-Mariakani road project, Kenya
June 6, 2017
Locals affected by the road project are facing forceful eviction and have not been properly consulted or compensated. The project promoter reacts to criticism with intimidation.
Olkaria geothermal development, Kenya
April 12, 2017
Financed by several development banks, geothermal installations have uprooted Maasai communities whose fundamental rights as an indigenous people have been ignored at first. The company has so far been slow and reluctant in addressing the Maasai’s complaints.
Khudoni hydropower plant, Georgia
April 28, 2015
While a mountain community will have to be forced to resettle for this mega-project, the opaque ownership and weak taxation mean that benefits for Georgia are highly doubtful.
Pljevlja II lignite power plant, Montenegro
October 7, 2014
The existing Pljevlja thermal power plant in the north of Montenegro, near the border with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been operating since the early 1980s. Now the Montenegro government is proposing a second 254 MW lignite-fired unit at the site.
Tuzla 7 lignite power plant, Bosnia and Herzegovina
October 7, 2014
The 450 MW Tuzla 7 project would result in additional coal capacity compared to the current situation. The city already suffers from significant air pollution due to the existing power plant and several other industrial facilities. The project would be implemented by the China Gezhouba Group Co. and is slated for financing from the China ExIm Bank.
