Montenegro to scrutinize small hydropower procedures, not to approve fresh subsidies
Representatives of the Government of Montenegro have announced that procedures for the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) will be reviewed and that no subsidies will be approved for the construction of new SHPPs, local media reported. Even though Prime Minister Duško Marković has made it clear that he believes the issue of small hydropower […]
EBRD tightens environmental, disclosure standards for all hydropower projects
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has unveiled its new good governance policies after conducting public consultations across 8 cities, including Belgrade, Serbia. According to its new Environmental and Social Policy, the EBRD will require its financial intermediaries to refer all high-risk sub projects, including all hydropower projects, back to the EBRD’s in-house […]
Speaking to IFIs may be only way for environmental activists to convey message to right address
Ana Colovic Lesoska, executive director at the Center for environmental research and information Eko-svest from Skopje, is one of six winners of the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, a first for the prestigious award to go to North Macedonia. This recognition followed Colovic Lesoska’s successful campaign to halt international lending for two hydropower plants, thereby protecting […]
Hidroelectrica to hire law firm for IPO on Bucharest Stock Exchange
State-owned power utility Hidroelectrica has issued a public call to acquire legal services for conducting an initial public offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, local media reported. The deadline for submitting offers is May 23. Hidroelectrica plans to sell newly issued shares and also existing shares, but also to finally lists on the Bucharest […]
Petition to ban small hydropower plants submitted to Montenegrin Parliament
NGO Green Home has filed a petition backed by 6,300 signatures to the Parliament of Montenegro to ban the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), local media reported. Residents of Podgorica, Nikšić, Plav, Berane, and Šavnik backed the petition requesting the Parliament to initiate a discussion and propose a ban on the construction of SHPPs, […]
Bulgaria to launch EUR 33 million renewables, energy efficiency, energy security program
Bulgaria is preparing to launch its Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Security Program, with an estimated EUR 33 million budget to finance street lighting, geothermal and hydropower utilization, energy efficiency in buildings, and other projects, the Ministry of Energy has said on its website. For the first time in the current programming period, beneficiaries […]
EBRD invests USD 100 million in renewable arm of Turkey’s IC Holding
The EBRD is investing USD 100 million in a stake of Ictas Surdurulebilir Enerji Yatirimlari, the renewable subsidiary of Turkey’s IC Energy Holding. The Turkish company plans to invest EBRD funds in wind farms and solar power plants with a combined capacity of up to 250 MW. The agreement was inked on the sidelines of […]
Macedonian activist wins Goldman Environmental Prize
The Goldman Environmental Foundation has announced six recipients of the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, the world’s foremost award for grassroots environmental activists, according to a press release from the foundation. One of the awards has for the first time gone to North Macedonia, to Ana Colovic Lesoska, who has successfully campaigned to halt international lending […]


