EPCG shareholders approve investment in Gvozd wind farm project

Shareholders of state power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) have approved an investment into a joint EUR 58 million project with Austria’s Ivicom Holding to build the Gvozd wind farm, RTCG reported following a meeting of EPCG’s shareholders. Ivan Mrvaljević, head of development and engineering at EPCG, said earlier this year that EPCG could launch […]

Končar KET to refurbish HPP Vacha in Bulgaria

A consortium comprising Croatia’s Končar KET and Czech ČKD Blansko Holding has signed a contract to refurbish the 14 MW hydropower plant (HPP) Vacha-1, the accompanying 110 kV switchyard, and other auxiliary systems at the HPP, in cooperation with the Bulgarian state power utility Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania (NEK EAD), Končar KET has said in a […]

EBRD requires proper environmental impact assessment for projects it finances

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) applies tight environmental and social standards to projects it finances and encourages partners to do the same. However, its leverage is limited to the projects it finances. Dariusz Prasek, Director of Operations, Environment and Sustainability Department, EBRD discusses these and other issues pertaining to the EBRD’s new […]

Protests against hydropower planned across Balkans from July 6-16

Environmental activists and civil society organizations (CSOs) from across the Balkans are organizing protests under the slogan “Our rivers – No DAMage!” in July over hydropower projects threatening to leave local populations without homes, arable lands, drinking water, and irrigation supply, or the landscape they have enjoyed for generations. The protests against hydropower plants (HPPs) […]

Elsewedy agrees to buy 4 wind farms, 1 SHPP in Greece

Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric, an integrated energy and infrastructure solution provider, has announced entering into a share purchase agreement with R.F. Energy S.A. (a subsidiary of F.G Europe S.A.) to acquire 100% of the share capital of 3 wind energy and 1 hydropower companies in operation in Greece. The total consideration agreed is EUR 55 million, […]

European Commission: Albania should urgently diversify away from hydropower, properly conduct environmental assessments

Albania is moderately prepared in the area of energy, according to the European Commission’s latest report on the country’s alignment with the EU acquis. Albania’s national energy strategy 2018-2030 has been adopted, the Chapter 15 section of the report notes. However, the country has delayed electricity market reforms and should accelerate implementation of the connectivity […]