Hvar energy transition strategy seeks to make Croatian island energy self-sufficient
The Croatian island of Hvar has unveiled its long-term energy transition strategy, aiming to become energy self-sufficient by 2035. The first pillar of the Hvar energy transition involves several objectives, including the construction of planned solar power plants, the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems on public and corporate buildings, as well as on private facilities, […]
Removal of SHPP pipes from river in southeastern Serbia scheduled for August 15
It’s not just a common illegal facility, but a small hydropower plant (SHPP) that will deprive the Rakita village residents of water, which to them is a matter of life and death. This is neither a whim nor politics, and that’s perfectly clear to everyone, says Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta, one of the founders of a […]
Croatian farmers urge scrapping public call for renewables auctions
The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) has urged the Croatian Energy Market Operator (HROTE) to scrap its public call for the award of premiums and guaranteed purchase prices for electricity from renewable sources, citing unclear criteria for the agriculture sector and the favoring of importers who import “suspicious waste” for the production of electricity. In […]
Hitachi ABB Power Grids to operate in seven Balkan countries
The newly-formed joint venture Hitachi ABB Power Grids has said it will operate in the region under the Balkan Cluster that covers seven countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The company’s top officials have also said that “world-class power grid solutions” will help it play an active role […]
EU mulls higher 2030 targets to ensure achieving climate neutrality by 2050
The European Commission has launched a process to assess setting more ambitious 2030 targets on renewable energy and stepping up energy efficiency action, with the aim of ensuring the EU delivers on its pledge to become climate neutral by 2050. The process is beginning with a review of the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU) and the […]
Croatian president sets up energy transition council
Croatian President Zoran Milanović has set up an energy transition council, which will be tasked with organizing expert consultations on important issues in this area with the aim of preparing and communicating expert guidelines and drawing up a strategic platform. The energy transition council will be chaired by Julije Domac, the Croatian president’s special adviser […]
Court halts Vrataruša 2 wind farm project over EIA study
Croatia’s High Administrative Court has annulled a decision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy to free the investor from the obligation to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the planned 24 MW Vrataruša 2 wind farm near the city of Senj. The ruling is based, among other things, on the potential adverse […]
GIZ ORF-EE working together with associations of municipalities towards sustainable urban mobility
Through cooperation with associations of municipalities and cities, numerous local authorities from the Western Balkans laid out their sustainable urban mobility strategy and made first steps toward a people-centered urban mobility system. The endeavour was facilitated by the Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (ORF-EE), a regional project implemented by the Deutsche […]