The Western Balkan power sector: between crisis and transition
December 5, 2022
As energy transition in the Western Balkans slowly proceeds, energy crisis has hit the region on four fronts: electricity prices, technical problems at coal plants, lack of water for hydropower, and skyrocketing biomass prices. This crisis is both a se
Replacing coal with forest biomass for heating is a dangerous green mirage
July 21, 2022
With the energy transition well underway, and the end of the era of coal clearly on the horizon, biomass for heating is gradually becoming a favorite for governments in the Western Balkans and their financial partners. ‘Tree power’ might sound like the greenest kind of energy, but burning timber from forests to heat homes is anything but sustainable.
Narrow road ahead: the energy crisis in Kosovo in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
June 24, 2022
Kosovo, almost entirely reliant on coal for its energy, has nevertheless been hard-hit by the ongoing energy crisis. What steps should the country take to address this, and at the same time end its reliance on fossil fuels?
Western Balkan coal pollution still massive, illegal and deadly – new report
June 21, 2022
In 2021, Western Balkan coal plants flagrantly breached air pollution legislation under the Energy Community Treaty for the fourth year in a row, emitting five times as much sulphur dioxide and 1.8 times as much dust as allowed, according to a report released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Western Balkan countries need a dedicated fund to ensure a just energy transition – new report
January 11, 2022
The earlier a country’s coal-phase out commitment, the higher its share of a Just Transition Fund for the Western Balkan countries, finds a model-based analysis by The Green Tank and CEE Bankwatch Network, published today.
A Just Transition Fund for the Western Balkan countries
January 11, 2022
The EU’s Just Transition Mechanism will mobilise more than EUR 100 billion in investments over the period from 2021 to 2027 to help countries shift their energy sources from fossil fuels to more sustainable ones. Part of this Mechanism is the Just Tran
Czech coal commission ‘not credible’
November 27, 2020
Campaigners have attacked a government body tasked with deciding how and when the Czech coal industry should end.
Status of the Territorial Just Transition Plans in central and eastern Europe
October 14, 2020
EU countries are required to produce Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) in order to access the Just Transition Fund (JTF). This briefing reviews the progress made by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia on TJTPs as of October 2020. It includes a review of the consultant selection processes, national government awareness of the drafting and local stakeholder engagement in the regions affected by coal phase-out.
Ailing Romanian Coal Region Sees New Hope in EU Green Deal
May 29, 2020
After decades of failed restructuring, Romania’s Jiu Valley is finally looking to a future beyond coal. Source : Ailing Romanian Coal Region Sees New Hope in EU Green Deal
Balkans coal future in doubt as North Macedonia mulls 2025 phase-out
May 15, 2020
Anti-coal campaigners have praised the North Macedonian government after it adopted a national energy strategy that considers the prospect of retiring its coal power capacity in the next five years. Source : Balkans coal future in doubt as North Macedo
