Why the Balkans is struggling to kick coal
April 20, 2020
Local politicians and Chinese companies are slowing the transition to renewable energy underway in the rest of Europe
EU enlargement reports show increased concerns on Chinese financing and hydropower sustainability
May 30, 2019
This year’s EU Enlargement Package reiterates a slew of unresolved problems from previous years in the Western Balkans, but gives increased prominence to China’s role in the region and the and the need to reign in uncontrolled hydropower development.
EU-China summit an opportunity to tackle Chinese support for coal in southeast Europe
April 8, 2019
Brussels – With the EU-China summit kicking off in Brussels on April 9, Bankwatch launches a new analysis [1] showing 3.5 GW of new coal may be built in southeast Europe with Chinese support, including in EU member states Romania and Greece.
Chinese-financed coal projects in Southeast Europe
April 8, 2019
EU member states Romania and Greece, as well as several EU enlargement countries in the Western Balkans, plan to build new lignite power plants. The Balkan coal plans starkly conflict with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting climate change to 1.5°C b
Bosnia-Herzegovina politicians mark April Fools’ Day by backing new coal plant
April 1, 2019
The Federal Bosnia-Herzegovina House of Peoples voted today in favour of a state guarantee for a EUR 614 million loan from China Eximbank to build the Tuzla 7 coal plant.
Energy Community opens infringement procedure against Bosnia-Herzegovina over illegal Tuzla 7 state aid
March 26, 2019
The Energy Community Secretariat has today announced that it is officially opening a dispute settlement procedure on the planned Federal guarantee for a EUR 614 loan from the China Eximbank to build the Tuzla 7 coal power plant in Bosnia-Herzegovina.[1] The procedure can potentially lead to delays in the EU accession process and temporary suspension of financing by EU banks.
Bosnia-Herzegovina Federal parliament guarantees Chinese coal plant loan in contempt of EU law
March 8, 2019
The Bosnia-Herzegovina Federal House of Representatives yesterday approved an illegal loan guarantee for a EUR 614 million China Exim Bank loan for the Tuzla 7 coal power plant, in blunt contempt of its commitment to abide by EU law on subsidies under the Energy Community Treaty.
Energy Community: Bosnia-Herzegovina guarantee for Chinese loan for Tuzla 7 is state aid, breaks EU law
March 5, 2019
The Energy Community confirmed today that the loan guarantee the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Parliament wants to approve for the EUR 614 million China Exim Bank loan for the Tuzla 7 coal power plant indeed constitutes state aid according to EU law. The Energy Community had commissioned an expert analysis to look into the issue following a complaint by Aarhus Resource Centre and Bankwatch.
Bosnia-Herzegovina politicians defy investigation to approve Chinese loan guarantee for coal power plant
February 26, 2019
The Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Parliament looks set to approve a loan guarantee for a EUR 614 million China Exim Bank loan for the Tuzla 7 coal power this Thursday, 28 February, [1], despite an ongoing Energy Community investigation into its compliance with State aid legislation.
200 million euro EBRD loan to Serbian energy giant EPS under investigation
October 1, 2018
Prague, Belgrade – The independent grievance body of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has started investigating a EUR 200 million ‘restructuring loan’ granted in 2015 to Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the largest energy company in Serbia, following a complaint by CEE Bankwatch Network and Serbian environmental group CEKOR.
