Greece asks EU to approve state aid for 680 MW pumped storage project
GEK Terna is building two pumped storage hydropower plants and artificial lakes in Amfilochia in western Greece that will use an existing lower reservoir. The government filed its support scheme with the European Union’s competition authorities for clearance. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy of Greece has submitted a request to the European Commission […]
Major flaws in EPS environmental study for TENT A thermal power plant overhaul
Environmentalist organizations and activists claim Elektroprivreda Srbije, EPS, won’t be able to obtain the necessary integrated license for its biggest thermal power plant TENT A by the end of the year at the current pace. At a public discussion on the environmental impact assessment study for most of the facility, the author acknowledged the aim […]
Coal power plants in EU shuttering amid jump in expenses from end-June
Exemptions in air pollution limits in the EU are about to be abolished, so owners of older coal-fired power plants will have fewer operational hours allowed. Another option, aside from closing the facilities, is to invest in efficiency and environmental protection, but with little to no guarantee it would be cost effective. While ČEZ is […]
SO2 emissions in Western Balkans coal plants six times above limit in 2019
There was no improvement last year on air pollution from lignite-fired industrial facilities reported to the European Environment Agency by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia, Bankwatch said. A comparison with the national emissions reduction plans reveals coal plant sulphur dioxide emissions were increased and that they were six time higher than […]
Environmentalist groups unite to protest small hydropower, pollution in Serbia
More than forty environmentalist organizations participated at the demonstration in front of the building of the Government of Serbia in Belgrade against the construction of thermal power plants on coal and demanding a ban on the run-of-river or derivative-type hydropower plants. The movement that has been urging authorities in Serbia to abolish the construction of […]
Climate targets warrant closure of all gas, coal power plants soon, study shows
If solutions to turn emissions negative aren’t scaled up substantially in the mid-term to cap global warming, there is little choice but to decommission facilities for the production of electricity from fossil fuels at roughly half of their lifespans. International climate treaties and goals imply gas and coal power plants must be decommissioned 10 to […]
PPC begins voluntary layoffs at coal mines with program for 890 workers
The state-owned company PPC managing lignite open pits and thermal power plants in Greece launched the first round of the voluntary layoffs for employees in the fossil fuel business. Workers aged 55 and higher who apply are entitled to compensation of EUR 35,000 each. Minister Kostis Hatzidakis says PPC may let go up to 5,500 […]
Serbia issues draft spatial plan for coal-fired thermal power plant Kolubara B
A public consultation was launched on the draft spatial plan for the special purpose area and the strategic environmental impact assessment report for Kolubara B. Serbia is moving ahead with the development of the coal power plant project, arguing “it is not possible” to replace the fossil fuel with other sources “in the near term.” […]