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Are safety upgrades and lifetime extensions synonyms in the Ukrainian nuclear sector?

Briefing | 15 May, 2011 | Download PDF

In November 2010 the EBRD, together with the European Union, announced its involvement in the EUR 1.2 billion Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) safety upgrade project for Ukraine. While safety upgrades at first appear a positive initiative, this project makes sense only in the context of NPP lifetime extensions, otherwise there is no reason to finance costly upgrades for facilities that will anyway close in a couple of years. And though the project promoter clearly links these safety upgrades with lifetime extensions, the EBRD is reticent to do so.


EBRD and Sostanj Unit 6 – serious questions about EBRD project appraisal

Briefing | 15 May, 2011 | Download PDF

In 2010, the EBRD approved a EUR 100 million loan for the Sostanj lignite power plant unit 6 (TES 6) project with a further EUR 100 million syndicated to commercial banks. A recent report on the management of the project has important implications for the EBRD’s involvement and raises questions about the project appraisal process that led the EBRD to approve the project.


The EBRD and the Polish coal sector

Briefing | 15 May, 2011 | Download PDF

The Polish energy market is dominated by coal, but two thirds of the installed coal capacity is older than 30 years. The EBRD could play a crucial role in the restructuring of this market by providing financial assistance to energy efficiency projects and renewable energy and at the same time refraining from further fossil fuel investments. Update: The EBRD confirmed during later meetings that it will not finance any coal project in Poland.


Paravani Hydro Power Plant, Georgia

Briefing | 15 May, 2011 | Download PDF

The Turkish company Georgian Urban Energy (GUE) has requested a USD 44 million EBRD loan for the Paravani HPP, an 87 MW plant using a 14 km derivation tunnel in order to divert water from the Paravani river to the Mtkvari river. Bankwatch member group Green Alternative has deep concerns regarding the project’s potential negative impacts as well as its overall justification.


Ombla Hydro Power Plant, Croatia

Briefing | 15 May, 2011 | Download PDF

The hydropower plant, planned to be constructed underground in a karst area near Dubrovnik, brings with it specific hydrological and ecological impacts, particularly on cave-dwelling species. Consequently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is of utmost importance, but has been held 11 years before the beginning of procurement. Opportunities for the public to comment on and influence the project’s decision making process have thus been highly questionable.