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September 18, 2025
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EU opens energy, environment cluster in accession talks with Albania

Albania officially started negotiations with the European Union on the so-called cluster 4, encompassing the green agenda and sustainable connectivity. It is joining Montenegro and Serbia, which haven’t yet closed any of the four chapters in the group: transport policy, energy, trans-European networks, and environment and climate change.

The Council of the EU held an accession conference with Albania and declared the opening of formal talks on cluster 4.

“Enlargement is at the top of our priorities as a geopolitical necessity for the EU. I am happy that we took a next step today with Albania. This is another clear proof of the country’s path towards European integration. I look forward to holding more meetings in the coming months with Albania and with other candidate countries to move forward the EU’s enlargement,” said Minister for European affairs of Denmark Marie Bjerre, who led the European Union’s delegation. Her country is currently holding the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.

Rama: Our challenge is to reinvent ourselves

Prime Minister Edi Rama and his team represented Albania at the event, in which European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos participated as well.

“Today we opened another cluster, it’s, as a matter of fact, five clusters in 11 months. In my understanding, it’s a record. And we are looking forward to opening the last cluster before this year ends… Environment is today a really pressing issue, and demands are challenging even for member states to keep the standards and to protect the standards. So, our challenge is to reinvent ourselves,” Rama said at a press conference with the two EU officials.

No chapters from cluster 4 closed yet in Western Balkans

The chapters in cluster 4, on the green agenda and sustainable connectivity, are transport policy (14), energy (15), trans-European networks (21) and environment and climate change (27). The trans-European networks comprise Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E), Trans-European Networks for Transport (TEN-T) and Trans-European Networks for Telecommunications (eTEN).

As for the rest of the Western Balkans, Montenegro opened the first three in 2015 and the remaining one in 2018. It started its accession talks in 2012. The EU grouped 33 chapters into six clusters in 2020, while 34 and 35 are separate.

Albania is third in the region to open cluster 4

Serbia, which started negotiations in 2014, launched cluster 4 in late 2021. Notably, neither closed any chapters in the group. Montenegro closed seven in total, compared to just two on Serbia’s list.

Albania opened accession negotiations in 2022, as did North Macedonia. The former didn’t close any chapters yet and the latter didn’t even open a single one. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate but it still didn’t start negotiations. Kosovo* is only a potential candidate.

EU urging tangible progress against environmental crimes

Among other points in its common position regarding the talks being launched, the EU urged Albania to accelerate renewable energy deployment by completing the necessary rules and regulations on permitting. The negotiators from the administration in Brussels said the Electricity Integration Package (EIP) needs to be fully implemented as well.

Albania has to align with EU acquis on environmental crimes and make tangible progress, especially against wildlife crimes, deterioration of habitats, illegal shipment or dumping of waste, pollution crimes and illegal trading in hazardous substances, the document reads.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
September 18, 2025
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Environmental approvals for 403 MW of wind power on Montenegrin mountain

Companies intend to build wind power plants of 403 MW in total on Sinjajevina mountain, a vast pastureland for which activists and locals have been demanding to be protected. The projects have obtained a green light from the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro.

After the government leased land for wind parks Sinjajevina Part 1 and Sinjajevina Part 2 to two domestic consortia and issued the urban planning and technical requirements, the developers chalked up another win. They obtained approvals almost simultaneously for their environmental impact reports from the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro.

The planned investments on the eponymous mountain in the country’s north are for 112.2 MW and 290.4 MW, respectively. A group led by Energy 2 is developing Sinjajevina Part 1 in Lipovska Bistrica in Kolašin municipality. The other project, with a firm called N1 at the helm, is in the territories of Kolašin and Šavnik and the villages Lipovo, Krnja Jela, Boan, Tušinja and Timar.

Local firms Sistem-MNE and Permonte are in both consortia

The other members of both consortia are Sistem-MNE and Permonte. All the firms are based in the capital Podgorica.

Importantly, the Environmental Protection Agency noted that the two reports are almost identical and even with the same photographs. Some were downloaded from the internet and there are no pictures from the designated locations, the commission stressed.

No cumulative assessment

The agency also highlighted the lack of a cumulative assessment for the two projects. The developers replied that they are two related phases of the same project and that the data is from the same set of field research.

Both groups opted for Siemens Gamesa wind turbines of 6.6 MW. Sinjajevina Part 1 is expected to generate 392 GWh, compared to 944 GWh for Sinjajevina Part 2, the documentation shows.

The agency accepted the proposed measures to prevent, lower or remove harmful impacts on the environment. They include the utilization of existing roads as much as possible, without building new ones, and avoiding the felling of trees and removal of shrubs.

Bats can be protected by lowering speed or halting turbines in critical periods

The operators will need to monitor bird nesting in May and June to detect and counter any deterioration. In their reports, they also suggested stopping or slowing down rotors between 11 pm and 2 am when bats are the most active in June and July, except during rain and strong winds.

Sinjajevina spans more than 1,000 square kilometers, dominated by pastureland. Initiatives have been launched to declare it a nature park and include it in the Natura 2000 network.

Environmentalists and the local population are opposing a plan to set up a military training ground. They insist on the preservation of nature and traditional agriculture in the area.

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September 18, 2025
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Turkish oil company Tüpraş to produce sustainable aviation fuel

Oil refiner Tüpraş is working on a technology for biofuel from algae and yeasts, using solar energy. The Sunfusion project involves processing into sustainable aviation fuel – kerosene – and green alternatives for vessels. It received EU support and includes partners from Greece, France, Germany, Norway and Serbia.

Istanbul-based Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AŞ (Tüpraş) has several decarbonization projects underway, counting on the expansion of green energy markets. One of the endeavors is Sunfusion – advancing biofuel production from purified microalgae and oleaginous yeasts by utilizing state-of-the-art solar technologies.

The project, which runs until the end of 2028, received EUR 3 million through the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), known also by its Greek acronym EKETA, is the coordinator.

Ten partners include the Middle East Technical University (METU/ODTÜ), located in Ankara, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and Foodscale Hub (FSH), which is in Novi Sad, Serbia. The rest are from France, Germany and Norway.

Solar-to-biocrude efficiency must top 50%

Tüpraş, the largest oil refiner in Turkey, is majority-owned by Koç Holding and its related businesses. It launched Sunfusion to develop the conversion of microalgae and oleaginous yeasts using the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) method. Among the goals is to minimize costs, emissions and waste and achieve a solar-to-biocrude efficiency target of more than 50%.

The company and its partners intend to cultivate high-lipid, low-nitrogen microalgae and yeasts

The initiative involves photobioreactors, open raceway ponds and a solar thermal system supplying energy for the process. The company and its partners intend to cultivate high-lipid, low-nitrogen microalgae and yeasts.

Hydrotreatment units would have fractionation capabilities, for refining the biocrude into high-value fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel – kerosene – and alternative marine fuels.

First SAF supply deal in Turkey already in scope

In June, Tüpraş signed a letter of intent with Turkish Airlines for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply arrangement. They claimed that carbon emissions would be up to 87% lower than from conventional jet fuel.

“We will begin SAF production next year at our Izmir Refinery by leveraging our existing facilities. We aim to finalize the investment decision for a new unit that will increase our SAF production capacity to 300,000 tons by the end of this year. The use of SAF is becoming a necessity under both international and local regulations for the decarbonization of the aviation sector,” General Manager of Tüpraş Ibrahim Yelmenoğlu stated.

It would be both the first production and supply operations in Turkey. The company revealed at the time that it would make the SAF from bio-based feedstocks.

Tüpraş has seven projects with support from Horizon Europe

Tüpraş said it has completed 17 projects under Horizon 2020 and that seven are ongoing through Horizon Europe. The company updated its strategic transformation plan in April, placing the focus on sustainable refining, SAF, zero-carbon electricity and green hydrogen.

In the Horizon portfolio, it is conducting the Eastern Lights project for geological storage of carbon dioxide. ICO2nic is in the same segment, with carbon capture and electrochemical conversion of CO2, while the Hermes initiative is for the separation and purification of hydrogen with innovative membranes.

Also of note, one of the oil refiner’s subsidiaries took over a major solar power project in Romania early this year.

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September 17, 2025
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Montenegro’s capital Podgorica preparing feasibility study for waste incinerator

Municipal waste utility Deponija has made the first step towards building a waste-to-energy facility.

Deponija, the utility in charge of waste management in Montenegro’s capital, launched a public call for the production of a feasibility study for the construction of a municipal waste incinerator within the territory of the city of Podgorica.

The task should be implemented in line with the requirements of sustainable waste management, circular economy, and the European Union’s environmental standards, the call reads.

There is only one waste incinerator in the Western Balkans

Of note, in the Western Balkans region, there is only one waste-to-energy plant, located in Belgrade. Utilizing waste to generate energy is a legitimate component of waste management hierarchy. Incinerators are present all over Europe. Croatia and Slovenia are planning to build such facilities, though some citizens oppose it.

Deponija also listed several motives for preparing the study. They include modernization of the municipal waste management system in Podgorica, reduction of the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill, and the production of renewable energy from waste.

The enterprise also aims to align its operations with the European Union’s waste management directives and gather data for potential partners and investors to assess the project.

The main goal of the study is to establish a sustainable and economically justified system for thermal treatment of municipal waste that will contribute to solving waste management problems in Podgorica, the call reads.

Deponija requested an analysis of different thermal treatment technologies

Deponija said that the study would include technological options or comparative analysis of various waste thermal treatment technologies such as incineration, refuse-derived waste, gasification and pyrolysis.

A key part of the future document is the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which will identify potential impacts on air, water, and land, mitigation measures, and monitoring.

Mayor of Podgorica Saša Mujović supported last year the idea of building a waste-to-energy plant. At that time, he was the minister of energy.

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September 17, 2025
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Power the Balkans: Optimizing Solar & BESS projects with RatedPower – webinar announcement

RatedPower, a leading provider of software for solar plant design and optimization, is organizing a free webinar to present its solutions that boost the efficiency and profitability of PV and battery storage projects. The online event, to be held on October 13 at 3 pm CEST, comes at a time when renewables are gaining momentum in the Balkans, increasing the need for complex planning and engineering and making digital solutions essential for project optimization.

In the upcoming webinar, which you can register for using the REGISTRATION LINK,  experts will showcase how RatedPower solutions automate and streamline the design of solar power plants and battery energy storage systems (BESS), maximize efficiency and return on investment, provide accurate reports for better decision-making, and enable seamless collaboration across teams, according to an announcement from the company.

“Digital solutions are becoming essential to streamline processes – from design and engineering to operations, reporting, and collaboration. By integrating advanced software tools, developers and engineers can save time, reduce costs, and maximize the efficiency and performance of their assets,” reads the statement.

RatedPower’s advanced software tools save time, reduce costs, and maximize performance

RatedPower, part of Enverus, a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for the energy sector, offers a one-stop cloud-based solution for PV plant and BESS design and engineering as well as hybrid systems. Its end-to-end platform offers integrated services that cover design, engineering, procurement, and even operational optimization, ensuring a seamless lifecycle approach.

According to the statement, users have confirmed to have doubled their portfolio, increased their profitability by over 20%, and reduced the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 5%.

RatedPower is not limited to traditional solar. Its model adapts to hybrid renewable energy systems, BESS integration, and smart grid optimization, positioning it as a strategic partner for the next generation of sustainable energy solutions.

By harnessing real-world performance data and predictive analytics, it helps developers, investors, and operators make smarter, more profitable decisions, mitigating risk and maximizing ROI, reads the statement. The platform enables renewable energy professionals to automatically design, simulate, and optimize PV plants and storage systems.

Unlocking the Balkans’ renewables potential with RatedPower solutions

Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, RatedPower has a portfolio of thousands of projects across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, with a client base that includes leading developers, utilities, EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) companies, and engineering firms.

Serving more than 480 companies and 5,800 users worldwide, RatedPower has designed over 64,000 projects worldwide and produced simulations for a total of 5.1 TW of capacity. The projects are supplying green energy to 13 million households, mitigating 18 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

RatedPower has a global footprint, but it views the Balkans as a key region for renewable energy growth.

“RatedPower is committed to empowering renewable energy professionals worldwide – and the Balkans represent one of the most exciting regions for renewable growth,” said Emil Trepin, Account Executive at RatedPower.

Photo: Emil Trepin, Account Executive at RatedPower

“Our software provides the precision, efficiency, and collaboration tools needed to take PV and BESS projects from concept to completion, helping to unlock the region’s true potential,” he stressed.

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September 17, 2025
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Bulgarian coal plant mulls replacing boiler with molten salt battery

The operator of the AES Maritsa iztok 1 coal plant in Bulgaria is interested in replacing one of its boilers with a molten salt reactor. It would accumulate excess renewable energy from the power grid as heat and produce steam to drive the existing turbine.

With the surge in solar and wind power capacity throughout the world, the grid needs to match it with balancing and flexibility to handle the intermittency of the two sources. Their output varies with weather conditions, so the amount of electricity is often much higher or lower than demand.

Batteries are all the rage now, with investors racing to bridge the gaps between intraday peak production and peak consumption. Southeastern Europe is catching up with the trend, especially in Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

A molten salt battery could turn out to be a lifeline for AES Maritsa East 1

It opens up space for some other solutions in the emerging energy storage market which are nearing maturity. United States-based AES Corp.’s subsidiary in Bulgaria is examining one such overlooked opportunity. The molten salt reactor technology could revive the prospects of its coal power plant in Galabovo in Stara Zagora province.

The operator of the AES Maritsa iztok 1 (AES Maritsa East 1) facility is planning to transform one of the units into a so-called Carnot battery, Capital.bg reported. Such systems turn electricity into thermal energy and store it, to convert it back to electricity.

AES plans to maintain generator’s capacity

The company’s solution of choice is a molten salt reactor, which would replace the boiler. AES plans to power it with surplus renewable energy and produce steam for the existing 345 MW turbine. Importantly, among its other assets is the Saint Nikola wind power plant of 156 MW, the largest in Bulgaria.

The battery would hold enough heat to drive the unit at maximum power for five hours, translating to 1.73 GWh.

Coal plants can technically work nonstop, but the market has all but overrun most such facilities in Europe. Now they increasingly operate only when prices are high, covering peaks. It could make the business case for molten salt reactors and preserve jobs.

Molten salt is used in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. They mostly use electrolytes such as alkali metal chlorides – sodium chloride, potassium chloride or lithium chloride – or nitrates: for instance, sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.

Need for energy storage strengthening with rise in intraday price spreads

Market prices were negative on 2.8% of the days of last year, while they were lower than EUR 5 per MWh for 8.8% of the time. It compares to 1.9% and 5.5% in 2025, respectively, the article adds. The spread between the maximum and minimum prices is increasing. On 53% of days in the first half of this year, the difference was between EUR 100 per MWh and EUR 200 per MWh. The share of spreads above EUR 200 per MWh was 30%.

Such high amplitudes indicate both oversupply and shortages within the same day, amid the strong growth in variable renewables capacity.

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