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Destroying future NATURA 2000 sites in the Balkans. The European Commission’s role in steering the EBRD’s investments

Advocacy letter | 1 March, 2012 | Download PDF

The 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.


Confirmatory application regarding disclosure of results of the interservice consultation for Ombla hydropower plant

Official document | 29 February, 2012 | Download PDF

The 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.


Letter: European Commission should make use of its shareholder role in the EBRD

Advocacy letter | 28 February, 2012 | Download PDF

A look at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s investments in the Ombla hydropower plant in Croatia and the Boskov Most plant in Macedonia reveals that the EU does not make full use of its shareholder role in the Bank and allows approval of the projects that contravene EU principles and standards. Read more on our blog:


Enquiry regarding the Natura 2000 assessment process of the Ombla hydropower plant

Advocacy letter | 27 February, 2012 | Download PDF

More 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.


High risk of corruption in Sostanj TES 6: Report by Slovenian Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (unofficial translation)

Official document | 23 February, 2012 | Download PDF

For 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).)