NGOs call for designation of no-go zones for construction of hydropower plants
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government representatives, experts, hydropower developers, and the local community gathered at an international conference in North Macedonia to discuss challenges and solutions concerning nature protection and hydropower projects in the country, according to a joint press release from NGOs Front 21/42, Riverwatch, and EuroNatur. At the conference, the first ever national approach […]
Green Party proposes moratorium on construction of small hydropower plants
The Green Party and activists fighting against the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) have presented a five-point plan for the “unchecked surge of small hydropower plants,” the party said in a news release. The plan’s key point is to protect drinking water under the Constitution and in the meantime introduce a moratorium on the […]
RS citizens pay over EUR 6 million in incentives for small hydropower plants in 2018
The Ministry of Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska (RS), an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has unveiled a list of legal entities and individuals that received electricity production incentives for small hydropower plants from 2016 to 2018. The list shows that small hydropower plants (SHPPs) received BAM 12.5 million (over EUR 6 million) in […]
Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia on SHPP: Mistakes, Consequences, Solutions
The Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia (AESS) has published its view on energy, environmental, and social problems arising from the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPP) with a long penstock, which represents the best overview so far of specific mistakes made by authorities since 2009, answers why the construction of such hydropower plants is […]
Pumped-storage plant Čapljina to deliver half of 2019 output to ERS
Pumped-storage hydropower plant PHE Čapljina will deliver half of its output in 2019 to Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS), in what will be the first time in about 15 years for the Bosnian Serb entity’s state power utility to receive electricity from PHE Čapljina, according to ERS General Manager Luka Petrović, local media have reported. Under […]
Energy Community receives complaint against Albania over Kalivac, Pocem hydropower plants
EcoAlbania, Riverwatch and EuroNatur have sent a complaint to the Energy Community (EnC) against the Albanian Government over procedures for the Kalivac and Pocem hydropower projects. The three civil society organizations behind the campaign for the protection of the Vjosa River have raised concerns that the procedures for the two hydropower plants (HPPs) are not […]
Western Balkan countries once again commit to clean energy development, as EU warns them about hydropower
Western Balkan countries are renewing their vows to switch to clean energy sources under joint statements and declarations. However, the EU is calling for caution when it comes to hydropower, warning that the construction of hydropower plants (HPPs) must be in line with the sustainable development principles and the future EU requirements for countries in […]
All Bulgarian rivers damaged in some way, 200 HPPs approved on top of 270 built – WWF
All Bulgarian rivers and their tributaries have been adversely affected by pollution, drought, wastewater, extraction of inert materials, and hydropower plants (HPPs), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has warned. A total of 270 hydropower plants have been built on the country’s 325 rivers, while 200 more HPP projects have been approved in the […]