Republika Srpska terminates 7 concessions for small hydropower plants

The Government of Republika Srpska (RS) has canceled 7 concession agreements for the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), including many on the Vrbanja River, Capital.ba reported. This is the second recent case in the wider region for concession contracts for hydropower projects to be terminated, after Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy decided after a […]

Investors alone have benefits from small hydropower plants – citizens, state and municipalities have none

The authorities did not consider the possible environmental impact when they lightly issued construction permits for small hydropower plants (SHPPs) and approved incentives for privileged electricity producers. And then the adept investors saw the opportunity to make profits – they lobbied to adjust regulations and, coupled with poor inspection work on the ground, the situation […]

Čibuk 1, Serbia’s largest wind farm, fully constructed

Construction has been completed on the 158 MW Čibuk 1, Serbia’s largest wind farm, according to a news release from one of the financial institutions that approved a loan for the project. The wind farm has started trial production. Čibuk 1, with 57 wind turbines, “is fully constructed,” reads a news release from the European […]

Holistic approach in sustainable development of renewables – dialogue, environment concerns, intersectoral synergies and public participation

At the recently held Hard Talk event in Belgrade, representatives of UNECE, Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia and various stakeholders groups discussed barriers and risks that prevent more intense development of the renewable energy sector in the country but also proposed  recommendations to address those challenges. At the sidelines of […]