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October 2, 2025
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EU reaches water pollution prevention deal but with deadlines of up to 20 years

The European Parliament and Council of the European Union agreed, after almost three years of negotiations, on updated rules regarding the pollution of surface and groundwater. However, the co-legislators left a timeline of up to two decades for member states to comply with some of the obligations.

The Danish presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Parliament’s representatives have reached a provisional political agreement on a directive to review and update the lists of pollutants affecting surface waters and groundwater and corresponding regulatory standards. Standards would be changed for several pollutants, and new substances added, aligning EU water policy with the latest scientific evidence.

Denmark’s Minister for Environment and Gender Equality Magnus Heunicke called the deal “a careful balance between ambition and flexibility for member states.” It safeguards the health of citizens and future generations by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, he added.

It’s been almost three years since the European Commission proposed an update to the lists of pollutants.

Bisphenol A flagged as priority hazardous substance

New substances in priority lists would include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. Member states would be required to improve the monitoring and transparency of water quality.

Bisphenol A or BPA was found in urine of 92% of urine samples in one study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is designated as a priority hazardous substance. A study published a few years ago showed that the chemical was found in urine samples of 92% of participants from 11 European countries.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) already requires member states to prevent deterioration of the status of water bodies, but it was framed generally.

The deal envisages an exemption for short-term temporary deterioration, and another for cases where pollution is relocated, by moving water or sediment. There are safeguards, particularly in relation to drinking water, the council said.

Rules for some of more harmful substances to come into force by 2033

Member states will have until 2039 to achieve compliance with the new standards, but a “strictly conditioned extension” is also possible, until 2045. In the case of substances with revised and more stringent environmental quality standards in surface water, the deadline for compliance is 2033.

Member states will be required to transpose the directive by late December 2027.

The co-legislators outlined a 20-year deadline for phasing out priority hazardous substances. When the Council of the EU and European Parliament officially adopt the directive, it will enter into force. Member states would need to transpose it into national law by late December 2027.

In the EU, 46% of surface waters and 24% of groundwater don’t qualify for a good chemical status, and differences between member states are extreme, the announcement notes.

EEB: Member states managed to delay, weaken obligations

Commenting on the water pollution prevention deal, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) said member states have managed to delay and weaken obligations.

The lists of priority pollutants for surface and groundwater should be updated every six years, but the last updates were done in 2013 and 2014, respectively, it noted. In addition, EU-wide groundwater standards for pesticides and nitrates have not been revised since the adoption of the Groundwater Directive in 2006, the network of environmental groups pointed out.

“All over Europe, our waters are polluted with TFA, a small PFAS pesticide residue that can be toxic to reproduction. By not monitoring these substances immediately in all types of water bodies, the EU misses a significant opportunity to take water and health protection with the importance and urgency it requires,” said Manon Rouby from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe.

The Council of the EU said that TFA, trifluoroacetic acid, would be added to the initially proposed sum of 24 PFAS for surface water.

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October 2, 2025
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Bayraktar: Dongfang plans 2 GW wind turbine factory in Turkey

China-based Dongfang Electric plans to build a wind turbine production facility in Turkey, said Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar. It would have an annual capacity of 2 GW.

Turkey is pushing ahead with its ambition to reach 120 GW in combined solar and wind power capacity by 2035. Following a meeting with the top executives of Dongfang Electric Corp., Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar pointed out that, at the same time, the domestic manufacturing potential in the two segments needs to be increased.

“We evaluated the Chinese company’s plan to establish a wind turbine production facility with an annual capacity of 2,000 MW in our country, with an initial investment of approximately USD 250 million,” he revealed.

Dongfang Electric installed the world’s largest wind turbine last month for testing. The 26 MW behemoth is on the Bohai Sea at the coast of Shandong province in China’s east.

The company is also active in the Western Balkans. Dongfang Electric is leading the consortium reconstructing the Pljevlja coal power plant in Montenegro. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has built solar power plant Bileća, of 60 MW in peak capacity, and the Stanari coal plant, both for EFT.

Dongfang Electric could cover Turkey’s annual wind power capacity additions by itself with future factory

At the end of July, electricity capacity in Turkey totaled 120.2 GW. Hydropower accounted for 26.9% or 32.3 GW, compared to 23.4 GW of photovoltaics (19.5%) and 13.7 GW of wind power, translating to 11.4%.

There are 150 manufacturers of wind turbine components and accompanying gear in the country, covering 65% of the technology, according to a recent report. Data from early this year showed there were seven production facilities for towers, four plants were making blades, and another four were manufacturing generators and gearboxes.

Wind power plants of 1.3 GW in total were installed last year. The annual expansion could top 2 GW in 2026.

Government conditions renewable energy auction participants with high domestic sourcing rates

While awarding large wind and PV capacities through renewable energy auctions, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources requires high domestic content rates from the bidders.

As for PV panels, there were 75 active manufacturers at the beginning of 2025. Put together, their annual capacity was 44.5 GW. Three were making solar cells and their overall capacity was 6.1 GW per year.

The country is also strong in other technologies, like for geothermal power plants.

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October 2, 2025
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Electricity exchange kicks off in Cyprus with 17 participants

The liberalization of the power market in Cyprus took effect alongside the launch of the electricity exchange, with day-ahead, forward and balancing markets.

The island country is one of the most isolated energy systems of the European Union. It relies on expensive oil plants to cover its power needs. Cyprus has no electricity or gas interconnections, and the rate of curtailments of renewables is high.

It translates to the highest wholesale prices in Europe, as well as high retail tariffs for consumers. The project for the Great Sea Interconnector linking the electricity systems of Cyprus and Greece would ease the strain, but it is suffering massive delays due to geopolitical and economic factors.

With the liberalization, 17 participants can submit offers and form prices in the day-ahead, forward and balancing markets, which the Transmission System Operator of Cyprus (TSOC) operates.

Specifically, there are two conventional producers, two suppliers, nine aggregators and three renewable energy producers, according to the Cypriot Electricity Market Association (CEMA). Trading works in 30-minute intervals, instead of the monthly settlements until September 30 and today.

TSOC reported that prices in the day-ahead market for October 1 ranged from zero to 180 per MWh. The level cratered from EUR 150 per MWh to nothing for the interval for delivery from 11:00, and remained there through 14:30. The price was EUR 1 per MWh for the next half hour, only to jump to EUR 151 per MWh in the next time segment.

The daily high was registered at 19:30. Most intervals were at EUR 160 per MWh to EUR 170 per MWh.

Consumers will gain from flexible tariffs

The operator and the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry are hopeful that new markets would remove market distortions. Furthermore, flexible tariffs can be offered to final consumers.

“Independent suppliers can now form their own energy mix, combining conventional and renewable sources. This allows them to offer flexible tariffs with reduced prices during the hours of increased renewable production and at night,” CEMA stressed.

EAC: A chance for the green transition

“Our organization is ready and committed to continue being a reliable pillar for electricity in Cyprus… The opening of the market is not just an institutional change, but a chance for growth, for the green transition and improving everyday life for citizens,” state-owned Electricity Authority of Cyprus (AIK or EAC) said. It is the dominant producer in the island.

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October 1, 2025
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Montenegro seeks contractor for marking liquid oil-derived fuel, biofuel

With approval from the Government of Montenegro, the Ministry of Energy and Mining issued a public call for the selection of a legal person that would conduct the obligatory marking of liquid fuel and biofuel in the Montenegrin market.

The introduction of fuel marking is an important step in the fight against the gray economy and illegal trade, but also a measure strengthening fiscal discipline and the state’s energy system, according to the announcement. The ministry added that Montenegro is introducing the practice in line with its Fiscal Strategy 2024-2027, to secure greater transparency and the security of supply.

The selected legal person will be obligated to use a unique marker for the Montenegrin market – type A for fuel subject to excise tax and type B for fuel exempted from excise tax, as well as to establish an information system accessible to all relevant instutions. This is the way to secure a total control of fuel trade and consumer protection, the explanation reads.

The maximum price of the fuel marking service amounts to EUR 0.008 per liter, which is EUR 8 per 1,000 liters of fuel, the Government of Montenegro stipulated in its decision from September 18.

Offers are received every workday between 10:00 and 14:00, through October 31, 2025. The address of the Ministry of Energy and Mining is Rimski trg 46, Podgorica.

The tender documentation with all the details and criteria is available on the ministry’s website.

With the new measure, Montenegro strengthens the control over the energy market, protects citizens and the country’s budget and builds additional trust in the energy system, the update adds.

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October 1, 2025
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Corinth Pipeworks commissions Greece’s biggest industrial rooftop PV system

Steel pipe manufacturer Corinth Pipeworks has put into operation a 7.1 MW photovoltaic facility on its plant in the Thisvi Industrial Area. It is the largest industrial rooftop PV system in Greece, the company said.

A steel pipe factory northwest of Athens will cover an estimated 25% of its electricity needs with its new solar power plant, generating some 10 GWh per year. Corinth Pipeworks (CPW) revealed that it has commissioned the 7.1 MW system, pointing out it is the largest industrial rooftop photovoltaic facility in Greece.

The company, owned by Cenergy Holdings, conducted the endeavor under an ESCO scheme. The project was entirely designed and implemented by Survey Digital Photovoltaics. It was financed by investment firm Sirec Energy and Survey Digital Photovoltaics, in collaboration with Piraeus Bank.

Under the terms of the 10-year lease, the system will be transferred at no cost to Corinth Pipeworks. The behind-the-meter PV plant is for own consumption, injecting no electricity into the high-voltage grid.

Corinth Pipeworks surpassed its 2025 target of sourcing 80% of its energy consumption from renewables

The facility spans almost six hectares on two factories, at a height of ten meters. It consists of 12,000 solar panels.

With the photovoltaic plant and a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a wind farm, CPW surpassed its 2025 target of sourcing 80% of its energy consumption from renewables. The company’s portfolio includes pipes for hydrogen pipelines.

“This choice carries particular significance, as it comes from an organization with both the technical capacity to develop the photovoltaic system and manage the generated energy, as well as the financial capacity to finance the investment independently. Yet, it chose to move forward in collaboration with us and Survey Digital Photovoltaics, recognizing the value of strategic partnership,” said Vice President of Sirec Energy Vangelis Bardis.

A subsidiary of Viohalco, Belgium-based Cenergy Holdings also controls Hellenic Cables, which manufactures power and telecommunications cables.

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October 1, 2025
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Hydropower plant Dabar to be completed by end-2027

The Dabar hydropower plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, according to Petar Đokić, Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska.

The operation of the Dabar hydropower plant, the most complex hydropower facility, in which EUR 339.5 million has been invested, will bring benefits for the entire eastern Herzegovina area, Petar Đokić said during a visit to the construction site, Srna reported.

The works on the 160 MW hydropower plant, with an expected annual production of 500 GWh, began in June 2023.

Đokić noted that the project is located in four municipalities – Nevesinje, Bileća, Berkovići, and Ljubinje – spanning 40 kilometers. As a key part of the project, Đokić highlighted a 12-kilometer tunnel, which is nearly finished.

Đokić: It is an exceptional construction undertaking, the first of its kind in the world in the 21st century

It is an exceptional construction undertaking, the first of its kind in the world in the 21st century, the minister said and added that he is proud to be part of the project from the beginning of its implementation.

Photo: Ministry of Energy and Mining

He spoke with the representatives of China-based Gezhouba Group Co., the main contractor, and Integral and Elnos, its domestic subcontractors.

Đokić stressed that some issues regarding the construction were discussed. HPP Dabar is a financially demanding project, he noted.

Photo: Ministry of Energy and Mining

Wind farm Grebak will be completed by 2027

Minister Đokić recalled that projects for solar power plants and wind farms with a capacity of 680 MW are under development in the territory of Nevesinje municipality, with investments estimated at an overall EUR 409 million.

He underlined that one of the projects, the Grebak wind farm, has experienced delays. Numerous companies, including the investor in the Grebak project, are hostages to the European policies mistrustful of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Đokić claimed.

Of note, the Republic of Srpska is one of the two political entities of BiH. The concession for the Grebak wind farm was granted in April 2019.

The minister expressed hope that the investor would overcome the challenges, conclude a financing agreement, secure equipment, and start construction work, expected to be finished by late 2026 or early 2027.

Investors in solar projects in Nevesinje are currently preparing documentation and purchasing equipment, Đokić said.

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