Energy Community Secretariat launches Energy Transition Tracker for Western Balkans
The Energy Community Secretariat has launched today the Energy Transition Tracker in a move which marks the start of monitoring the energy transition process in the Western Balkans. The first report presents the current situation in Albania, BiH, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia regarding emissions, energy market, renewables, energy efficiency and national energy and […]
EUR 400 million loan for Attica-Crete interconnection secured
The financing framework for the undersea electricity link between the Greek mainland and its largest island has been completed. The country’s TSO Admie secured a credit line of as much as EUR 400 million from Eurobank for the Ariadne Interconnection between Crete and the Attica peninsula. Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator, also known as IPTO […]
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 […]
Silba island may use solar power to turn seawater into drinking water
A desalination system powered by photovoltaics was proposed for Silba in a preinvestment study produced within the PROSEU project, funded by the European Union. The small Adriatic island in Croatia is struggling with its external drinking water supply and a solar power plant could be the solution. Excess electricity can be delivered to the grid […]
EU launches Just Transition Platform for coal regions
The European Commission has launched the Just Transition Platform to help member states draw up their territorial just transition plans and access funding from the Just Transition Mechanism, worth more than EUR 150 billion. According to the European Union’s executive body, the online tool will provide technical and advisory support for public and private stakeholders […]
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 […]
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 […]