Western Balkans countries invest at least 2.4 times as much in coal as in wind power
May 26, 2016
All the Western Balkans countries have committed to increase their share of renewable energy by 2020 to reach between 25 and 40 percent of their energy mix, as part of their obligations under the Energy Community Treaty. Yet this is far from obvious when examining their investment plans for new power generation capacity. Governments are actively planning to build 2800 MW of new coal plants with construction cost of at least EUR 4.5 billion. In contrast, these countries are only planning to build around 1166 MW of wind power plants, at an estimated cost of EUR 1.89 billion.
Western Balkans investing at least 2.4 times more in coal than in wind power – Bankwatch
May 25, 2016
BELGRADE (Serbia), May 26 (SeeNews) – The Western Balkan countries are actively planning to build 2,800 MW of new coal plants and just 1,166 MW of wind power plants (WPPs) in the next five years, in sharp contrast to their commitments to raise the share of renewable energy in their energy mix, Praha-based non-governmental organisation CEE Bankwatch Network said on Thursday.
Success: Romanian government promises to respect property of villagers threatened by coal mine
May 24, 2016
After months of protests and the people in Runcurel, a small town in Romania that is to be swallowed by a lignite mine, have finally received positive news from the Romanian government. During a meeting with Bankwatch Romania and Greenpeace Romania, the Minister for Energy Vlad Grigorescu confirmed that the government will do more to protect locals and their houses. Read more background in our photo story
Balkan energy projects with Chinese involvement – state of play, May 2016
May 5, 2016
See a more recent version of this briefing >>
Постепенно въглищата ще останат в историята като енергоносител
May 5, 2016
Генади Кондарев, енергиен експерт към Bankwatch, в предаването Бизнес старт 58% от домакинствата в България се отопляват на твърдо гориво, а останали близо 40% се отопляват с електроенергия. Това каза Генади Кондарев, енергиен експерт към Bankwatch, в предаването „Бизнес старт“ по Bloomberg TV Bulgaria.
Bosnia and Herzegovina signs deal for Tuzla 7 coal plant construction – but its economics are shrouded in mystery
May 4, 2016
In spite of an updated construction contract for a new unit at the Tuzla coal-fired power plant, the project’s economic feasibility remains a puzzle with missing pieces.
[Campaign update] Romanian government sued over unlawful expropriation of mining community
March 24, 2016
After decades of putting up with noise and dust, people in Runcurel, Romania are being told they are in the way of national interest. Together with the two civil society organisations, land owners are challenging the government’s decision and the coal company’s actions.
The hefty health toll of coal burning in the Western Balkans – and what is not being done about it
March 16, 2016
While the Energy Community yesterday failed to consider more stringent air pollution rules for the Western Balkans, a new report quantifies the health costs of the region’s coal burning both within the region itself as well as in the neighbouring European Union.
[Campaign update] Key costs still missing in Montenegro coal power plant debate
March 4, 2016
Tens of questions remain unanswered about costs related to a new unit at the Pljevlja lignite power plant in Montenegro.
Expert analysis confirms Croatian Plomin C coal plant is economically unfeasible
March 3, 2016
Responding to the lack of official economic data for Croatia’s Plomin C coal project, a new analysis finds that the project is highly risky.
