The Western Balkans and the Energy Union: Will the EU address carbon lock-in beyond its borders?
August 27, 2015
The Energy Union must find ways to prevent state support for the production of fossil fuel energy by the European Union’s immediate neighbours. The EU cannot afford to have newly acceding members holding up progress towards the new 2030 climate goals or watering down future policy making.
Resavica: Serbia’s canary in the coal mine
July 13, 2015
After decades of powering Serbia it seems the coal business in the country is on life support. Yet policymakers in Belgrade refuse to consider alternative sources of energy.
The Balkans Are Giving Climate Change the Finger
July 7, 2015
After just five hours visiting the tiny Serbian village of Vreoci, just outside the country’s capital, environmental activist Dragana Mileusnic developed a terrible cough. Vreoci is pincered between two rapidly expanding arms of the Kolubara coal mine, one of the largest in Europe, which churns out 22 million tons of coal per year — along with what Mileusnic calls “incredible” air pollution. Now the mine owner is resettling the entire village because coal dust, smog and respiratory disease have made life there unbearable.
Romanian environmental inspectorate orders closure of two coal plants operating outside EU pollution laws
June 30, 2015
Last week the Environmental Inspectorate in Hunedoara, Romania demanded the closure of two thermal power plants at Mintia and Paroşeni, because neither of the units complies with air quality requirements of the EU’s Large Combustion Plants Directive (LCPD). Hunedoara Energy Complex, which manages the Mintia and Paroşeni plants, has challenged the decision in court.
After Slovenia’s Sostanj coal power plant debacle, is any bank going to finance Croatia’s Plomin C?
June 12, 2015
Slovenia’s newly built Sostanj 6 is expected to generate losses of around EUR 200 million over the next 3-4 years. Given that Croatia’s Plomin C project shares some of Sostanj 6’s features could Croatia be about to repeat its neighbour’s mistakes?
Illegal coal subsidies could cost south-east European countries dearly, warns new study
June 8, 2015
Prague – New investments in coal mines and power plants could cost the Western Balkans and Ukraine dearly if they fail to take into account binding rules on subsidies (State aid), according to a new briefing released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Risks for coal and electricity investments in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova due to state-aid rules
June 8, 2015
By signing the Energy Community Treaty in 2005, countries in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova agreed that the European Union’s competition rules are to be applied also within their territory. A number of energy sector investments are being planned that may not so far have taken adequate account of State aid rules. This briefing therefore provides a summary to draw attention to relevant requirements of EU law and highlight the risks of failure to take them into account when planning investments. The account when planning investments.
Ugalj bi mogao skupo koštati Balkan
June 8, 2015
Investicije u rudnike uglja i termoelektrane mogle bi skupo koštati države zapadnog Balkana i Ukrajinu, ako i dalje budu dodeljivane subvencije za te projekte. To je pokazala studija koju je danas objavila mreža CEE Bankwatch Network. Preferencijalni krediti i garancije za te projekte striktno su definisana pravilima iz Sporazuma o Energetskoj zajednici, koji je stupio na snagu 2006. a države potpisnice i dalje planiraju nove termoelektrane na ugalj i rudnike bez obraćanja pažnje na rizike te državne pomoći, navodi se u saopštenju Centra za ekologiju i održivi razvoj (CEKOR).
Balkan coal rush risks lasting damage, campaigners warn
May 19, 2015
Balkan countries and Ukraine are making “substantial investments” in polluting coal power stations to sell cheap electricity to the European Union, as the bloc searches for new suppliers to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. EU officials appear reluctant to use energy negotiations next month, or trade law, to force higher air pollution and environmental standards, despite the risks the rush poses to EU climate change and enlargement policies, and to finances and public health in the Balkans.
Where will all that power go? New study assesses extravagant energy ambitions in the western Balkans
May 14, 2015
Western Balkan countries have ambitious plans to increase their electricity generation over the next years. But what will happen if they all become a regional energy hub? Will there be a demand for all the available electricity?
