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August 27, 2025
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Critics of Serbia’s draft mining strategy barred from public hearing

A public hearing on the draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050, was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The document outlines a long-term approach to resource exploitation. A group of citizens, environmental activists, and experts critical of the draft held a protest after being denied entry to the event.

The draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050 is a basis for the government’s decisions regarding geological exploration and mining.

Serbia is following European guidelines, including the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), thereby building a system that supports investment predictability, responsible exploitation, and sustainable development, according to the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

The strategy was modeled after those of European countries

“We want our mining industry to be as developed as in Scandinavian countries. We also used Poland as an example, as it is most similar to us in terms of coal and copper production,” said Assistant Minister for Geology and Mining Ivan Janković.

Besides copper and coal, the strategy emphasizes non-metallic and geological resources like stone, sand, clay, and groundwater.

Public consultations on the draft strategy and the environmental report were held from June 13 to July 2. The public hearing was initially scheduled for July 1 but was postponed “in the interest of full transparency,” according to the ministry, to give all stakeholders sufficient time to submit comments and suggestions.

Environmental activists protest outside of venue

The draft strategy would serve the interest of mining companies while disregarding the needs of the country and its citizens, according to Nebojša Petković, an activist from a local group Ne damo Jadar in western Serbia, who spoke to FoNet news agency ahead of the public hearing. Conversely, Ivan Janković from the ministry denied the claim, arguing that the strategy was created solely in Serbia’s interest.

Environmental activists, citizens, and experts gathered in protest outside the venue after being denied entry, despite registering for attendance. Among them were Dragana Đorđević from the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, and Zoran Stevanović, retired hydrogeology professor from the Faculty of Mining and Geology. He said the ministry scheduled the hearing only one day in advance, adding that the critics were told there is no room for more people even though they applied as soon as they saw the notice.

The strategy prioritizes mining over nature

Professor Stevanović told N1 that the strategy proposes three levels of investment, with the most intensive scenario involving USD 6.8 billion in foreign investments in mining. In his view, it would lead to an enormous expansion of such activity.

The strategy mustn’t prioritize mining in spatial planning over protected natural zones, even ones with vital water resources, Stevanović underscored.

He also criticized linking exploration with future exploitation, pointing out that the government wouldn’t be able to compete in tenders through public bidding. Stevanović added that Serbia has experts capable of conducting in-depth studies on ores for the benefit of citizens, instead of exporting raw materials.

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August 27, 2025
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PPC launches first tender for pumped storage hydropower plant in former lignite mine

Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC or DEI) is moving forward with a pumped storage hydroelectric project at the site of its former open pit lignite mine Kardia, in a coal region in Western Macedonia.

The government-controlled power utility is seeking a design, supply, construction and commissioning contractor.

PPC announced that another tender would take place as part of the EUR 430 million project, for the ground works and civil engineering.

The criteria are strict. The company said eligible firms have completed at least one pumped storage hydropower station in the European Union within the last ten years, with a capacity of at least 70 MW and a water head of 90-450 meters. Alternatively, the requirement is at least three facilities of the same size in the last 20 years.

Interested parties can submit their proposals until October 20.

PPC’s project in Kardia received an environmental license in May from the Ministry of Environment and Energy. According to the document, there would be one upper and one lower reservoir with tunnels and a 400 kV substation. The ministry approved an “average” 130 MW capacity with an eight-hour duration, and a “maximum” of 148 MW, without defining the two features.

However, the tender sets the capacity at 320 MW, consisting of four 80 MW reversible turbines.

Apart from Kardia, PPC is planning a pumped storage hydropower system in the South Field lignite mine of Kozani, also in the country’s north, with a capacity of 227 MW and a budget of EUR 310 million. The project has also received an environmental license.

The company unveiled a EUR 5.8 billion investment program in April for both coal regions in Greece. It includes 300 MW of battery storage, 2.1 GW in photovoltaics and a 300 MW data center.

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August 27, 2025
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Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development secures EUR 50 million for firms for green investments

The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development has secured EUR 150 million from the European Investment Bank, of which at least one third is dedicated to green investments by businesses in the country.

A new finance contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) provides EUR 150 million to finance projects of mid-caps, large private companies and public entities in Croatia, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) said.

The loan particularly promotes green investments. It is the first tranche of a new EUR 350 million financing agreement between the EIB and HBOR to expand access to financing for Croatian companies.

The package will be deployed via direct lending by HBOR and through commercial banks and other financial intermediaries.

At least 30% of the financing is for projects contributing to green transition

At least 30% of the financing is for projects contributing to green transition, including investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, sustainable construction and clean transport, Croatia’s bank noted.

According to EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, the initiative will expand financial support to a broad range of Croatian companies and public entities, with a strong emphasis on climate action and sustainability.

The operation is structured as a multi-beneficiary intermediated loan (MBIL). In addition to advancing the European Union‘s goals to promote climate action and environmental sustainability, it will help foster economic activity and social cohesion across Croatia, HBOR said.

The EIB and HBOR have concluded 28 finance contracts worth EUR 3.8 billion overall

HBOR will ensure, as it has so far in cooperation with EIB, that all end-beneficiaries comply with relevant national and EU legislation, with a special focus on preserving environmental, climate and social standards.

The new financing further reinforces HBOR’s role in supporting green and climate-resilient projects, contributing to the achievement of the strategic goals of Croatia and the European Union for the ​​green transition, according to Hrvoje Čuvalo, President of the Management Board of HBOR.

EIB and HBOR have concluded 28 finance contracts so far, worth EUR 3.8 billion, for financing more than 8,000 projects across Croatia.

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August 21, 2025
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Prosumers in Romania are neck and neck with commercial PV plants in capacity

The latest data showed that prosumers in Romania don’t have a much larger total capacity anymore than commercial solar power plants, a segment accelerating in expansion. The share of units for self-consumption that include energy storage reached 5.8% in the first half of the year, compared to 1.2% six months earlier.

Total number of prosumers in Romania increased by 8,950 in June, to 237,252, Profit.ro reported. The installed capacity, consisting overwhelmingly of photovoltaic panels, rose by 95 MW, to 2.82 GW, the media outlet added, citing data from the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE).

Total installed capacity of large, commercial solar parks is 2.77 GW, according to the article. Both segments are expanding strongly, but the latter has lately accelerated, with new utility-scale PV facilities coming online week after week. Of note, wind power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are catching up.

On that note, 5.8% of prosumers also had batteries integrated with their self-consumption units on June 30. It compares to 1.2% at the end of last year.

Prosumers have led the energy transition for the past two years. Their overall capacity surpassed 2 GW just a year ago, translating to 37% growth in ten months.

Output in the segment amounted to 434 GWh in the first half of the year, where net domestic consumption declined 1% and net energy production surged 10%. Namely, as the duration of the daily solar radiation interval rose, prosumers in Romania drew less power from the grid and consumed more of what they generated themselves.

At the end of the first half of 2025, 210,714 households were prosumers, versus 26,538 legal entities. They had 1.34 GW and 1.48 GW installed, respectively.

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August 21, 2025
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Winners of 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards revealed

Tringë Shkodra, Ani Gogokhia, and Kateryna Pereloma have been announced as the winners of the 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards. The award was created to amplify the voices of young adults under 30 who are set to shape the region’s climate, energy, and social landscape in the years ahead. It is organized by the Energy Community Secretariat in collaboration with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, the CLEW Network, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, with Balkan Green Energy News serving as the media partner.

Young people aged 18-30 across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine had the opportunity to submit their original, fact-based articles that explore how their communities are navigating the shift away from fossil fuels. Recognizing that youth are essential agents of change, the 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards aimed to provide a platform for creative and solution-oriented journalism addressing the challenges and opportunities of a just transition.

“Across South East and Eastern Europe, the energy transition will succeed only if it is inclusive and regionally connected. The voices of young people are central to that effort, and this award shows the depth of talent and commitment they bring”, said jury member Marta Schulte-Fischedick, from the Energy Community’s Green Deal Unit.

The winning stories highlight the opportunities of the green transition while tackling its complex challenges, from unequal access to clean energy to the impacts of war, migration, and poverty. Together, they reflect how communities across South East Europe are striving to build sustainable and resilient energy systems in fair and inclusive ways.

The winning stories highlight the opportunities of the green transition while tackling its complex challenges

Tringë Shkodra (26, Kosovo*) won the first award, a paid one-month internship with the Energy Community Secretariat. Her article focuses on Kosovo’s just energy transition and the shift away from coal. She traces its reliance on lignite as an environmental liability, public health and social justice crisis, calling for faster, more inclusive reforms that empower youth.

The second award went to Ani Gogokhia (18, Georgia) for her personal story, which highlights how everyday challenges related to low salaries, migration, pollution, and health issues reflect the dangers of an inequitable energy transition in Georgia. She will receive a fully funded opportunity for a fact-finding mission on energy transformation in the Western Balkans with Bankwatch.

Kateryna Pereloma (22, Ukraine) came in third for her report from Kyiv. She documented how communities are responding to the war by embracing sustainability through solar energy, recycling, urban gardening, green startups, and youth-led initiatives. Her award is to participate in the Training for Journalists on Climate Disinformation in the Western Balkans, hosted by CAN Europe in Ohrid, North Macedonia, this September.

The winning pieces will be published on Balkan Green Energy News and other partner platforms.

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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.
August 21, 2025
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Econergy’s 87 MW Oradea solar park in Romania starts commercial operation

Econergy Renewable Energy connected its 87 MW Oradea solar power plant to Romania’s national grid and began commercial operation.

Oradea solar farm, with a capacity of 87 MW, is Econergy’s fourth photovoltaic plant in Romania. With the addition, the company’s operational and ready-to-connect capacity in the country has reached 447 MW. It is building another 788 MW and expects to start building another 559 MW by the end of 2025, according to the latest update.

Econergy operates Romania’s biggest PV plant, Rătești, in an equal partnership with Nofar Energy. They inaugurated the facility with 154.7 MW in peak capacity in 2023. The other two are the Părău solar park of 92 MW in peak capacity, near Brașov, developed in a 50:50 joint venture with RGreen Invest, and the Scurtu Mare facility of 55 MW in peak capacity, where Phoenix Holdings is a minority partner.

Econergy plans to add a 68 MW co-located battery energy storage system to the Oradea project

As part of its strategy to integrate storage solutions, Econergy plans to add a 68 MW co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) to the Oradea facility. The storage system is anticipated to increase the project’s economic value by generating new revenue streams, facilitating grid balancing services, and optimizing electricity sales through price arbitrage.

The Oradea solar power plant was developed in partnership with Israeli financial services firm Phoenix Holdings, which has invested more than EUR 225 million in Econergy’s Romanian and Polish projects.

“The successful connection of Oradea marks another important milestone for Econergy in Romania. This achievement underscores our ability to deliver large-scale renewable projects while advancing our strategy of integrating storage solutions to maximize value for our stakeholders. We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Phoenix Holdings as we continue to expand our renewable energy platform across Europe”, said Eyal Podhorzer, CEO of Econergy.

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