EU issues two guides to considering environment in renewable energy projects
The European Commission has issued two guidance documents on how energy transmission infrastructure and hydropower can be made to operate in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives. Two guidance documents have been published as part of the EU Action plan for nature, people and the economy. “Guidance documents offer practical recommendations […]
French EDF interested in hydroenergy projects in Serbia
The French state-run utility company Electricite de France (EDF) has expressed interest in developing hydropower projects in Serbia. Two sides plan to intensify cooperation, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antić said after a meeting with an EDF delegation earlier this week in Belgrade. “According to many parameters, EDF is one of the world’s […]
Study: Who is financing hydropower projects in protected areas in Southeast Europe
Out of the 2,112 planned or operational hydropower projects across southeast Europe (SEE) since 2005, at least 735 are in protected areas or internationally recognized areas of high biodiversity value. Of these, 152 are already operating, 34 are under construction and 513 are planned or potential, with the remainder at an unclear stage. At least […]
RENEXPO Water & Energy fair in Belgrade, April 24 – 26
The program of this year’s biggest international Western Balkan’s trade fair with conferences, RENEXPO Water & Energy, will focus on bioenergy – biogas, biomass, hydroelectric power, wind energy, water management, energy efficiency, heat pumps, photovoltaic, e-mobility and investments in the region. The event will take place on April 24 – 26, in Belexpocentar in Belgrade. […]
Study: European-financed small hydropower plants damaging pristine Balkan
Eight hydropower projects in Albania, Croatia and Macedonia financed with European public money have damaged biodiversity and are in urgent need of increased monitoring and restoration measures, finds a study by CEE Bankwatch Network. The hydropower plants were enabled by support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank […]
Application for small hydro power plant close to Shkodra in Albania submitted
Albanian company Gjeokonsult & Co submitted an application for a building permit for a small hydro power plant (SHPP) close to the city of Shkodra. The plant will be of up to 2 MW capacity. The new hydro power plant will be built in Fushe Arrez municipality, according to the Albanian energy ministry information quoted […]
Serbian energy minister calls for untangling Drina hydropower deal with Italy
It is time to untangle the situation regarding cooperation with Italians and to start building hydropower plants on the Drina river, independently or with another partner, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antić said after the first meeting of the Joint Energy Committee between Serbia and Republika Srpska. In September 2011, Italy’s Seci Energia, […]
Renewable sources of energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina: issue of (un)sustainability
Author: Nihad Harbaš, Energy and climate change consultant Do we really know how much energy we generate and use in B&H? Consumption or use of energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is unknown, although data on the annual consumption of about 140 PJ can be found. Although this sounds unbelievable at first, the energy balances […]