Serbia pushes ahead with beleaguered coal plant at Kostolac
November 20, 2017
For the third time, Serbia has announced that construction will start at Kostolac B3, in spite of problems at the project persisting since the start of the permitting process.
The Balkans may become the achilles heel of EU-China climate leadership
June 1, 2017
The European Union’s and China’s joint commitment to climate action is tarnished by Chinese support for and the EU’s neglect of coal projects in the Balkans, as a new briefing explains. But it is still not too late to change course.
Call the chimney sweepers! Independent monitoring shows for first time true level of air pollution near coal plant in Serbia
December 20, 2016
Smoke signals the coming of a polluted winter in Drmno, Serbia. Bankwatch’s independent air quality measurements show for the first time the alarming levels of dust particles near the Kostolac B power plant.
[Campaign update] Impact Assessment of Serbian Kostolac B3 coal plant nullified, two investigative reports published
August 3, 2016
Two reports by the Serbian Center for Investigative Journalism take stock of the problems surrounding the planned Kostolac B3 lignite power plant, including a recent court decision that cancelled the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment.
Kostolac: Chinese loan, Serb rule-breaking
July 21, 2016
To have a new block of the thermal power plant Kostolac B constructed and Drmno opencast extended, Serbian Government borrowed $608.2 from the Chinese state bank, and committed to obey Chinese laws. A Chinese company is the main contractor for the works. Serbia failed to consult Romania, even though it was a must, while Serbian Administrative court passed a ruling that Serbian Ministry of agriculture and environmental protection had violated law with its approval of the Environmental impact assessment study.
Campaign update: environmental and health impacts of Serbian planned coal power plant Kostolac B3 discussed in court hearing
June 28, 2016
The possible cancellation of the Serbian government’s decision to construct a new 350 MW unit at the Kostolac B lignite power plant was discussed on June 23 at the national administrative court of Serbia.
New arrests should dampen Serbia’s appetite for coal
February 4, 2015
Corruption cases continue to haunt Serbia’s coal sector as a new round of arrests last week has shown. They also illustrate how the dependence on coal creates vulnerabilities for Serbia’s energy sector and potentially its financiers, in particular in the aftermath of last year’s floods.
[Campaign update] Kostolac B3 lignite plant loan agreement bypasses public debate and contains unacceptable conditions
January 16, 2015
The Serbian parliament will on Monday vote on the ratification of a USD 608 million loan agreement from the China ExIm Bank for the construction of the 350 MW Kostolac B3 lignite power plant by Chinese company CMEC. Serbia’s latest addition to its huge debt burden is being presented as a great success, but a new lignite plant is more likely to end up as a weight around our necks as we move towards the EU and apply EU climate policies.
Poland’s uncertain coal friends in the Balkans
January 13, 2015
It is not easy to find anywhere in Europe as much determination as in Poland for building new coal. The only place to find a similar coal enthusiasm is at the door step of Europe, in the Balkans, looking set to be fuelled by Chinese money. But even there the future of coal is shaky.
Cross-border coal pollution for the first time under scrutiny by UN body
September 22, 2014
A new unit at the Kostolac coal-fired power plant in Serbia is the first coal project to be considered by the Espoo Convention Implementation Committee for transboundary impacts.
