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 […]
Extending feed-in tariffs risks turning public opinion against renewable energy
Author: Pippa Gallop, Research Coordinator, CEE Bankwatch Network One of the main factors driving the controversial small hydropower boom in the Western Balkans is the availability of feed-in tariffs, providing investors with a near-certain income for several years. The aim of this policy has been to incentivise the development of renewable energy, however most of […]
Study: European-financed small hydropower plants damaging pristine Balkan
Eight hydropower projects in Albania, Croatia and Macedonia financed with European public money have damaged biodiversity and are in urgent need of increased monitoring and restoration measures, finds a study by CEE Bankwatch Network. The hydropower plants were enabled by support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank […]
What will it take to make Balkan leaders realise new coal plants are a liability, not a gold mine?
Author: Pippa Gallop, Research Co-ordinator, CEE Bankwatch Network In April this year, the EU proved that whatever difficulties it might be going through, it can still make momentous decisions. It approved new pollution control standards for power stations, entitled the LCP BREF (1) The name might sound obscure, but the results should be concrete: The new […]