Bosnia and Herzegovina lignite project triggers official complaint to the Energy Community
March 20, 2014
While governments in south-east Europe have been talking about building new lignite power plants for years, the only one under construction to date is Energy Financing Team’s (EFT) 300 MW Stanari plant in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rather than serving as an inspiration to others in the region, the project is an example of what not to do, as borne out by an official complaint submitted in January by NGOs Center for Environment from Banja Luka and ClientEarth to the Vienna-based Energy Community Treaty secretariat.
Where’s Plan B for Kosovo’s energy sector?
March 20, 2014
Ideas about the construction of a new lignite power plant in Kosovo have existed since the end of the 1980s, and even the current Kosova e Re proposal – scaled down to 600 MW from the original 2100 MW – has been around since 2009. It is being touted by the Kosovo government, the World Bank, USAID and the European Commission among others as the only realistic option to replace the ageing and heavily polluting Kosovo A power plant.
The good, the bad and the uncertain: the new energy policies of Europe’s public banks
March 20, 2014
The European NGO coalition Counter Balance has recently published a short overview of the new energy policies now in place at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Both banks’ new policies were finalised towards the end of 2013 following extensive consultation with stakeholders from the energy sector, civil society and academia.
Where’s Plan B for Kosovo’s energy sector?
March 18, 2014
When it comes to Kosovo’s energy future, institution after institution has been putting most of its eggs in a ‘new lignite’ basket while some very reasonable alternative investment options seem to fall by the wayside.
Guest post: Dr. Kim’s World Bank legacy hinges on Kosovo climate test
March 12, 2014
Environmentalists and public finance watchdogs are taking to twitter today to urge World Bank president Dr. Jim Yong Kim to head his own rhetoric and reject the Kosovo coal power plant.
Energy Community Treaty revision – NGO policy briefing
February 20, 2014
The EU-backed Energy Community Treaty, which brings together the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova in order to integrate them with the EU energy market. Although original Treaty contains some environmental obligations for signatory countries, it pays relatively little attention to environmental and public health concerns. This in turn increases the likelihood of EU countries importing energy produced at great costs to the people and environment in accession and neighbouring countries. The current revision of the Treaty is a valuable opportunity to rectify this problem.
Letter to NEXI regarding potential insurance for Plomin coal power plant investment, Croatia
February 19, 2014
Letter to JBIC regarding potential investment in Plomin coal power plant, Croatia
February 19, 2014
Letter to EDF and Edison regarding Plomin coal power plant
February 18, 2014
This letter was sent both in English (pdf) and French (pdf).
Letter to Marubeni regarding Plomin (February 2014)
February 5, 2014
