Guest post: Never again Sostanj
March 20, 2013
Disappointed by loan disbursements to one of the dirtiest coal projects in Europe, almost 100 organisations have called on two public lenders to not repeat the same mistakes, ever.
[Campaign update] Woes in Kosovo’s energy sector trigger demand for Minister’s removal
March 18, 2013
Amid increasing public outcry over electricity prices and the privatisation of the KEDS distribution company, KOSID, an industrious NGO coalition from Kosovo has called for the dismissal of Besim Beqaj, the country’s Minster for Economic Development.
EBRD finances lifetime expansion of Ukrainian nukes, but gets defensive about it
March 13, 2013
Kiev – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved yesterday a 300 million euros loan for the so-called “Safety Upgrade Programme” of Ukraine. In reality, the beneficiary company, state-owned Energoatom, will use the money to prolong the lifetime of 12 old nuclear reactors.
New nuclear risks in Ukraine – decision expected tomorrow
March 11, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expected to take a decision tomorrow on whether or not to provide a EUR 300 million loan for a nuclear power plant Safety Upgrade Programme in Ukraine. This article from our quarterly Bankwatch Mail sums up the issues at hand.
Financial alchemy in Slovenia’s energy sector still results in lignite, not gold
December 11, 2012
Even with the latest investment plan for unit 6 at the Sostanj lignite power plant (TES 6), the project’s economics are (surprise, surprise) still distinctly shaky as an independent analysis shows. Nonetheless, the project looks ever more likely to get a state guarantee from the Slovene government.
If we’re not having one, then neither are you: time to grow up?
November 15, 2012
What a week in the fight for clean British energy: scandal erupted when Conservative Party members were exposed colluding with James Delinpole, in his obsessive efforts to wipe wind-farms off the map, and Ed Davey’s statement in the Commons yesterday about energy companies fixing gas prices demonstrated once again the urgent need to overhaul our energy system. Not only are elements of this government trying to undermine a green future here in the UK, they are also threatening green hopes in Ukraine. Among all the energy market mayhem, you’d be forgiven for missing it, but in addition to messing up our own clean energy karma, the UK may actually back a huge European loan for the Ukrainian nuclear power sector. http://www.foe.co.uk/blog/nuclear_energy_uk_ukraine_38000.html
That’s what they call sustainable. The EBRD’s 10 billion for sustainable energy
November 6, 2012
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development boasts of having invested 10 billion euros in sustainable energy since 2006. A closer look reveals that although the bank’s efforts deserve recognition, several investments make a mockery of ‘sustainability’.
Money lost, safety postponed: On the mismanagement in Ukraine’s energy sector
August 23, 2012
A recent audit showed that Ukraine lacks good management at least as much as finances to reform its energy sector. EU money is meanwhile siding with a tainted company.
Allegations of corruption in Slovenia and across the EU
August 9, 2012
Despite fines and alleged scandals, questionable companies win new contracts every day and posts impressive profits – claims campaign group
Don’t let facts get in the way of a good EBRD Roma headline
July 26, 2012
The EBRD’s claims it has helped turn Serbia into a “role model for social inclusion of Roma” ring hollow in light of the plethora of abuses of Romas’ rights in other cases in Serbia.
