Leonardo DiCaprio, Manu Chao support struggle against construction of HPPs in Balkans
Though ignored by politicians, the long-standing struggle against the construction of hydropower plants (HPPs) in the region is gaining more and more support from Europe and the world. Two world-known artists, as well as environmentalists, musician Manu Chao and actor Leonardo DiCaprio have supported initiatives to halt the construction of HPPs on Mt. Stara Planina […]
Government to terminate contracts for small hydropower plants on six Montenegrin rivers
The Government of Montenegro has decided to terminate contracts for the construction of 10 small hydropower plants (SHPPs) on six rivers in the municipalities of Bijelo Polje, Plav, Andrijevica, and Šavnik. The decision to terminate the contracts was made at a government session held in Pljevlja. Prime Minister Duško Marković said that the construction of […]
Investor pulls out of SHPP project after clashes on Mt. Stara Planina
Residents of the village of Topli Do on Mt. Stara Planina in Serbia clashed yesterday morning with security and workers accompanying investor Dragan Josić in an attempt to start the construction of a small hydropower plant (SHPP). The outcome was the investor’s announcement he was pulling out of the project, as well as that he […]
Alliance of local communities declares “state of emergency” on Mt. Stara Planina over SHPPs
The Mt. Stara Planina alliance of local communities has declared a “state of emergency” on that mountain due to violations of the laws and the Constitution of Serbia related to the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs). The public is already aware of the situation in the village of Rakita, where the state has not […]
EUR 8 million in incentives paid to Montenegrin renewables producers in January-July
Producers of electricity from renewable energy sources in Montenegro received a total of EUR 8.08 million in state incentives in the first seven months of 2019, an increase of 3% compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Montenegrin Electricity Market Operator (COTEE), RTCG has reported. Krnovo Green Energy’s wind farm […]
Petition to ban small hydropower plants submitted to Montenegrin Parliament
NGO Green Home has filed a petition backed by 6,300 signatures to the Parliament of Montenegro to ban the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), local media reported. Residents of Podgorica, Nikšić, Plav, Berane, and Šavnik backed the petition requesting the Parliament to initiate a discussion and propose a ban on the construction of SHPPs, […]
Republika Srpska terminates 7 concessions for small hydropower plants
The Government of Republika Srpska (RS) has canceled 7 concession agreements for the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), including many on the Vrbanja River, Capital.ba reported. This is the second recent case in the wider region for concession contracts for hydropower projects to be terminated, after Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy decided after a […]
Investors alone have benefits from small hydropower plants – citizens, state and municipalities have none
The authorities did not consider the possible environmental impact when they lightly issued construction permits for small hydropower plants (SHPPs) and approved incentives for privileged electricity producers. And then the adept investors saw the opportunity to make profits – they lobbied to adjust regulations and, coupled with poor inspection work on the ground, the situation […]