40 artists back Blue Heart campaign to protect Balkan Rivers on occasion of World Music Day
Forty well-known artists from around the Balkan region are seeking to shake people up and help avert the looming destruction of nature in their home countries. On the occasion of World Music Day, which is celebrated annually on June 21, the artists take a stand in short video testimonies. Among them are Darko Rundek from […]
Environmentalist groups unite to protest small hydropower, pollution in Serbia
More than forty environmentalist organizations participated at the demonstration in front of the building of the Government of Serbia in Belgrade against the construction of thermal power plants on coal and demanding a ban on the run-of-river or derivative-type hydropower plants. The movement that has been urging authorities in Serbia to abolish the construction of […]
High-profile arrests in Croatia highlight claims of corruption in renewables in region
At least two government officials are suspected of abuse of power in the case of the biggest wind farm in Croatia, which receives a substantial stimulus. The scandal follows massive complaints by the local population throughout Southeastern Europe and numerous accusations by activists of irregularities and corruption in projects for renewables, mostly small hydropower plants. […]
NGOs file lawsuits against small hydropower plants on Neretva, Neretvica rivers
Non-governmental organizations have filed or drafted lawsuits against the competent ministries in the Federation of BiH and the Republic of Srpska, the entities comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), for non-compliance with law in the procedure of approving the construction of five small hydropower plants (SHPPs). BiH also made news a few weeks ago when, despite […]
Public consultation starts for policy on small hydropower in Energy Community
Widespread concerns and criticism over the impact of hydropower on nature and the quality of life prompted the rethinking of the stance toward the projects, so the Energy Community Secretariat asked individuals, firms and organizations for their opinions. Public authorities, developers, companies, associations, consumer and environmental organizations and citizens have the opportunity to help shape […]
PPC Renewables may partner with Motor Oil, Helector in green energy
Greece’s national electricity producer PPC is leaning on its green energy firm for the transition away from conventional and dirty technology. PPC Renewables is developing geothermal, wind and solar projects and establishing ventures, where domestic companies Motor Oil Hellas and Helector emerged as next likely partners. Government-controlled Public Power Corp. SA or PPC is discussing […]
Locals block construction of two small hydropower plants on Bjelava river in BiH
Despite a ban on gatherings due to the coronavirus, residents of Foča blocked the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) Bjelava and Mala Bjelava. They are two out of the five SHPPs that are being built in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of lockdowns introduced to slow the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Representatives of the […]
Republic of Srpska terminates 5 concessions for small hydropower plants
The Government of the Republic of Srpska has canceled five concession contracts for the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) on the Crna, Grabovička and Vrbanja rivers as even after 14 years the investors have not been able to build them. The slightly smaller of the two entities making up Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a […]