Romania’s energy crisis exposes faltering gas strategy as battery storage surges
September 30, 2026
Romania’s energy crisis has laid bare the risks of relying on delayed gas projects to replace coal power. Meanwhile, battery storage has been developing much faster and is already providing much-needed flexibility. Even a state-owned coal company with designs on a gas power plant is now pursuing battery storage instead.
Romania prepares to launch 1.1 GW gas-fired turbines next month
September 29, 2026
Romania’s Mintia gas-fired power plant is set to launch with an initial capacity of about 1.1 GW next month, increasing to 1.7 GW early next year, the country’s energy ministry told Montel on Monday. CEE Bankwatch Network last week criticised Romania’s focus on new gas capacity, arguing that battery storage was developing faster and could provide flexibility to the power system.
Romania’s gas strategy falters as battery capacity surges – NGO
September 29, 2026
Romania’s battery storage capacity has expanded rapidly and is already providing grid flexibility, while the ongoing energy crisis has exposed the country’s failings in focusing on delayed gas projects, NGO CEE Bankwatch Network said on Friday.
Western Balkans gets second chance at just transition: Can new support platform deliver?
July 15, 2026
For coal-dependent communities in the Western Balkans, the launch of the JET Balkans project marks a welcome end to more than two years without a dedicated regional support platform. But with political commitment, funding and transparency still in short supply, local authorities and civil society are wondering whether the initiative can turn planning into meaningful implementation, or whether it will repeat the shortcomings that have slowed just transition efforts across the region.
Comply or Close: Eight years of deadly legal breaches by Western Balkan coal plants
June 23, 2026
This report exposes the systematic, deadly breaches of air pollution limits by coal-fired power plants in the Western Balkans – eight years after new pollution standards entered force.
Boom and Bust Coal 2026
May 21, 2026
Boom and Bust Coal is an annual survey of the global coal fleet by Global Energy Monitor and partners.
Electricity market integration needs environmental compliance: Joint civil society position paper on CBAM and the Western Balkans electricity sector
March 19, 2026
The inclusion of electricity in the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has raised questions about CBAM’s impacts on EU-Western Balkans market integration.
Implementation of the Climate Investment Funds Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan for North Macedonia, with recommendations for 2026
December 19, 2025
This briefing takes a closer look at the Annual just transition implementation plan 2025 and gives several recommendations for the 2026 update.
Beyond the scoreboard: Energy sector transformation under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans
December 5, 2025
This analysis offers an overview of the energy-related reforms from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia and then evaluates the countries’ progress.
A perfect storm: The Western Balkans power sector in the time of CBAM
October 29, 2025
Starting with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) full implementation in January 2026, most electricity generation companies in the Western Balkans will be heavily affected.
