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Coal in the Balkans
Most EU countries are giving up building new coal plants and finding ways to close their existing ones. In contrast, countries across southeast Europe plan new lignite power plants during the next few years.
These plans starkly conflict with the Paris Agreement's aim of limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees celsius. All the projects have serious economic, environmental and legal weaknesses, which would burden electricity consumers and taxpayers for years to come.
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Read also
In contrast to the EU, Western Balkans’ coal investments still heavily outweigh wind – but for how long?
Blog post | May 27, 2016
By the numbers: where will energy come from in the western Balkans?
Blog post | March 19, 2015
Coal is not cheap - financial and legal risks
Coal, contrary to popular belief, is no longer cheap, due to increasing environmental requirements and payments for CO2. On the other hand, installation costs for wind and solar are constantly falling, and they are much cheaper to operate, making coal less and less competitive.
Stricter environmental and state-aid rules
The European Energy Community is a key driver for energy and related environmental policy in south-eastern Europe.
Under the Energy Community Treaty (more here >>), signed by all Western Balkans countries, Ukraine and Moldova, all new coal plants have to be in line with EU environmental standards and countries must follow EU state aid rules, prohibiting the still common subsidies to the coal industry.
Read more
Risks for coal and electricity investments in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova due to state-aid rules
Study & press briefing | June 8, 2015
Study shows risk of stranded assets
Several Western Balkan countries have ambitious plans to increase their electricity generation and become regional energy hubs. But will there be a demand for all the available electricity?
Stranded assets in the western Balkans – report on the long-term economic viability of new export capacities
Study | March 19, 2015
A new breed of investors
Toolkit for coal campaigners in Turkey and the Balkans
In 2013 the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank virtually halted lending for new coal power plants.
Most planned plants are due to be financed by Chinese state banks – ExIm Bank and the China Development Bank (CDB).
An overview over all coal investors can be found in Bankwatch’s campaign toolkit Kings of Coal.
Read more
Balkan energy projects with Chinese involvement - state of play
Briefing | July 31, 2016
Air pollution and local opposition
Serious problems with air quality are pitting locals against coal. A multimedia briefing describes the issues in detail.
Corruption and energy in the Balkans
Building a modern energy infrastructure in south-eastern Europe must go hand in hand with strengthening the rule of law.
