Run-of-river hydropower: Two years on, the struggle continues
More than two years on, the public and citizens across the Balkans fighting for the right to water and against run-of-river small hydropower plants are not giving up on their struggle. Protests and actions were organized from July 6 to 16 across the region, with a conference titled “Rakita – the rule of law crushed” […]
Eight EU countries donate EUR 10 million for water supply in Serbia
An agreement on eight EU member states’ EUR 10 million donation for a EUR 80 million project to improve water supply and sewers systems in 25 municipalities in Serbia has been signed in Belgrade today. The donation is being channeled through the European Investment Bank (EIB). The agreement on the EU countries’ donation for the […]
Let the sunshine in, say civil society groups
Author: Igor Vejnović, Hydropower Coordinator, CEE Bankwatch Network Eight civil society organisations last week submitted proposals for a revamp of Serbia’s renewables support scheme to the Ministry of Energy and Mining. All across Europe, renewables incentive schemes have been transformed in recent years to take account of the growing costs of feed-in tariffs for end […]
Protests against hydropower planned across Balkans from July 6-16
Environmental activists and civil society organizations (CSOs) from across the Balkans are organizing protests under the slogan “Our rivers – No DAMage!” in July over hydropower projects threatening to leave local populations without homes, arable lands, drinking water, and irrigation supply, or the landscape they have enjoyed for generations. The protests against hydropower plants (HPPs) […]
Greece launching new renewables, sustainable infrastructure investment scheme
Fresh investment in renewables, energy efficiency, and urban development projects across Greece will be supported following the first agreement under a new EUR 650 million infrastructure investment initiative, according to a press release from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which manages the Infrastructure Fund of Funds. The Infrastructure Fund of Funds, to support renewable energy […]
EU to provide technical assistance for Kraljevo wastewater treatment plant, remediation of Grand Bačka Canal
The European Union has secured technical assistance for the preparation of technical and tendering documentation for the construction of a wastewater collection and treatment plant in the City of Kraljevo and completion of remediation of the Grand Bačka Canal. Memoranda of understanding for the two projects have been signed by the representatives of the EU […]
Countries with Europe’s best quality bathing water revealed
Just ahead of summer vacations, the European Commission has released a report on the quality of bathing water in EU member states plus Albania and Switzerland. The latest annual European bathing water quality report is based on the 2018 data, but the results give a good indication of where the best quality bathing waters are […]
European Commission: Albania should urgently diversify away from hydropower, properly conduct environmental assessments
Albania is moderately prepared in the area of energy, according to the European Commission’s latest report on the country’s alignment with the EU acquis. Albania’s national energy strategy 2018-2030 has been adopted, the Chapter 15 section of the report notes. However, the country has delayed electricity market reforms and should accelerate implementation of the connectivity […]