Planned power plants in the Balkans need review as EU adopts tougher pollution standards
April 28, 2017
The European Union has today approved an updated set of binding standards for power plants, which include new, stricter pollution limits. In the Western Balkans, planned new coal capacities are most likely to be affected by the updated regulations.
Balkans are gambling on coal as EU utilities opt out
April 12, 2017
Eurelectric members have pledged to build no new coal power stations from 2020. So why do firms in Serbia and Bosnia still think they can make coal pay?
Western Balkans are massively expanding coal power – but the new plants may have to be closed again soon
March 29, 2017
Plans for new lignite power plants in Western Balkan countries do not take into account the effect of CO2 prices, according to a new Bankwatch study. As a result, the plants risk becoming uncompetitive in the future, with taxpayers footing the bill.
Carbon costs for planned coal power plants in the Western Balkans and the risk of stranded assets
March 29, 2017
This briefing analyses ten coal-fired power plant projects across the Western Balkans and finds that, once the cost of carbon emissions allowances are factored in, they could become a serious liability for both the companies involved and the public.
Overlooked carbon costs could turn Western Balkans’ new coal power plants into white elephants – analysis
March 29, 2017
A new Bankwatch analysis examining ten coal-fired power plant projects across the Western Balkans finds that, once the cost of carbon emissions allowances are factored in, they could become a serious liability for both the companies involved and the public. Moreover, only a few feasibility assessments for coal power plants in the region are publicly available, and most of those have failed to properly take carbon costs into account, the briefing authors note.
Under heavy skies: dire results from first independent pollution monitoring in Montenegro
February 23, 2017
It was ten in the evening on 17 December when my colleague and I arrived in Pljevlja, Montenegro. Although we could feel the smell of burnt coal already while driving there, the minute we set foot out of the car, the air was stifling. “This place remin
[Campaign update] Pljevlja residents protest against air pollution
December 23, 2016
Once again people from Pljevlja in northern Montenegro have taken to the streets to protest against the awful pollution that has been plaguing the town for years. Supported by NGOs Ozon and Green Home, the protest aimed to put pressure on the authoriti
Call the chimney sweepers! Independent monitoring shows for first time true level of air pollution near coal plant in Serbia
December 20, 2016
Smoke signals the coming of a polluted winter in Drmno, Serbia. Bankwatch’s independent air quality measurements show for the first time the alarming levels of dust particles near the Kostolac B power plant.
[Campaign update] World Bank non-compliant with its own resettlement policies in Kosovo
December 19, 2016
The World Bank has this week published the Investigation Report of its Inspection Panel for the involuntary resettlement of residents in the village of Hade near Pristina in Kosovo. The investigation, undertaken following a complaint by current and for
Why coal is not the way forward – facts versus myths
November 14, 2016
Coal is the single biggest contributor to global climate change. But governments and investors planning new coal capacities have a range of flimsy arguments why coal would be the best or the only alternative. This briefing busts a number of myths surrounding coal, such as “coal is cheap”, “alleviates poverty” or “coal is clean”.
