Platform Initiative launched to support clean energy transition in coal regions in Western Balkans and Ukraine
The Energy Community Secretariat has announced the launch of a Platform Initiative to support the clean energy transition in coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine through knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and financial assistance. The Platform Initiative will be led by the World Bank and implemented under the political leadership from the European Commission, […]
EU presents guidelines on Green Agenda for Western Balkans
The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, envisaged by the European Green Deal, is expected to be endorsed by the Western Balkan leaders at a summit in Bulgarian capital Sofia in November, the European Commission has said. In the European Green Deal, a plan to make the EU climate neutral by 2050, the commission says […]
European Parliament backs mass buildings renovation, rooftop solar plan
The European Parliament has approved a report on maximizing the energy efficiency potential of the European Union’s building stock, calling for a faster and deeper renovation of buildings and supporting the launch of an EU-wide rooftop solar program. The report, drafted by members of the parliamentary Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, aims to help […]
CE Oltenia plans to slash CO2 emissions by 38%, but keep investing in coal
Romania’s ailing state-run electricity producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) has drawn up a 2021-2026 restructuring and decarbonization plan that entails gradually reducing coal power production and developing renewable energy sources, with a target to cut CO2 emissions by around 38%. The plan includes EUR 1.5 billion in investments. CE Oltenia, the second-biggest electricity producer […]
Bulgaria: all companies set to enter the free electricity market from 1 October 2020
Authors: Dimitar Zwiatkov, partner and Maria Harizanova, associate at CMS Bulgaria On 1 October 2020, all non-residential electricity customers in Bulgaria, which are connected to the low-voltage electricity distribution network must start buying electricity from the free market on freely negotiated rates. How would the supply of electricity change for them after 1 October 2020? Background Currently, Bulgaria is […]
Urban mobility will be in the spotlight in Europe this fall
Urban Mobility Days 2020, the European Commission’s first large-scale urban mobility conference, will take place from September 29 to October 2, kicking off a week after the end of European Mobility Week. The registration for Urban Mobility Days 2020 is open, according to Eltis, Europe’s main observatory on urban mobility, financed by the European Commission’s […]
EU expects Montenegro to investigate Možura wind farm allegations
The European Commission expects a “credible, independent, and efficient” investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding the construction of the Možura wind farm, according to the commission’s spokesperson, Ana Pisonero. The corruption allegations had also been the subject of an investigation conducted by the murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Assistant director of the Montenegrin Police […]
EU mulls higher 2030 targets to ensure achieving climate neutrality by 2050
The European Commission has launched a process to assess setting more ambitious 2030 targets on renewable energy and stepping up energy efficiency action, with the aim of ensuring the EU delivers on its pledge to become climate neutral by 2050. The process is beginning with a review of the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU) and the […]