January 22, 2026
by in News

Kosovo’s* just energy transition: greening the Kingdom of Coal

Author: Tringë Shkodra

Kosovo’s* energy transition has great potential but key players such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young people are facing structural exclusion.

Our energy system is still heavily dependent on dirty fossil fuels and overburdened by frequent outages, reliance on imports, and growing costs, particularly during the winter when demand is at its highest and most households and businesses can no longer afford to pay energy bills. While infrastructure upgrades are essential, they are not enough. In order to succeed, this transition must be just, meaning it needs to be inclusive and rooted in the lived experiences of the people it aims to serve.

Understanding Kosovo’s* distinct socio-economic landscape, with the country having the youngest population in Europe as well as a large number of SMEs, is essential for addressing its development challenges and unlocking its potential.

SMEs form the backbone of the Kosovan* economy but get structurally excluded from accessing energy-saving practices. Many studies shed light on energy efficiency within Kosovo’s* private sector – particularly among SMEs, and show that these businesses face serious barriers to adopting sustainable practices. While larger firms are more likely to invest in energy-saving technologies, SMEs struggle with access to finance, lack awareness, and get minimal institutional support.

Businesses require energy efficiency for survival

Yet energy audits show that many could reduce consumption by up to 40% with low-cost interventions. This isn’t about reluctance, but structural exclusion. Energy efficiency, in this context, is not just a technical fix but a survival strategy for businesses.

With the right incentives, this sector can become a driver of Kosovo’s* green transition, creating jobs and fostering innovation.

Youth rarely invited to table

Another overlooked potential for Kosovo’s* energy transition are the youth. Over half of Kosovo’s* population is under the age of 30, yet their involvement in environmental governance remains limited. A study of youth participation in environmental and climatic concerns across ten municipalities of Kosovo* found that, while 63% of young respondents reported a strong desire to contribute to environmental policymaking, only 15% had ever participated in such processes.

Youth-led initiatives, innovation hubs, and climate advocacy networks are lacking institutional trust and real influence

This isn’t a lack of engagement; it’s again a lack of access. Youth-led initiatives, innovation hubs, and climate advocacy networks are already active, but they need to be met with institutional trust and real influence. The potential of our youth is vast – from engineers developing solar microgrids to community organizers shaping local green agendas. However, without inclusion, this potential remains untapped. We are ready to lead, but we are rarely invited to the table.

Dependence on lignite is cause of public health crisis

Advancing fundamental reforms aligned with European values is a prerequisite for sustainable development. This includes harmonizing structural reforms outlined in the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs), strengthening the rule of law, and embedding the energy transition within the European Union’s broader green agenda. Kosovo’s* overreliance on lignite coal poses not only environmental but social risks, and the outdated mindset of living in the Kingdom of Coal clashes with the urgent need for a clean, secure, and just energy future.

Data from Riinvest Institute outlines clearly that over 90% of Kosovo’s* electricity is still produced from coal, while renewable energy accounts for less than 6%. This dependence is more than an economic liability – it is a public health crisis. Around 300,000 to 400,000 people live within 30 kilometers of lignite-fired power plants Kosovo A and Kosovo B, which lack modern emission controls.

Air pollution and outdated technology put thousands at risk every day. The urgency to diversify the energy mix isn’t only environmental – it is humanitarian. Energy, when approached with justice in mind, can become a tool for dignity and equal opportunity.

Despite a myriad of strategies and policy documents, Kosovo* has made only partial progress in aligning with EU energy and environmental standards. The Energy Community Annual Implementation Report (2024) shows that implementation across clusters such as decarbonization and energy security ranges from just 40% to 66%. True transformation demands more than technical upgrades as it requires institutional coordination, transparency, and strong evidence-based policymaking.

We are transitioning lives

In a recent conversation, a national energy expert put it simply: “We are not just transitioning technologies. We are transitioning lives.” A just energy transition must therefore encompass more than grid modernization or solar farms. It requires tailored policies – legislation that removes bureaucratic bottlenecks, the rollout of incentives for low-income households to adopt renewables, and clear pathways for communities to become prosumers.

Kosovo’s* policy frameworks, such as the forthcoming National Energy and Climate Plan and the renewable energy law, must be instruments of real transformation – practical, inclusive, and focused on impact.

Permitting procedures for renewables need to be simplified

To catalyze a just energy transition, the country requires comprehensive investments across its energy infrastructure while ensuring that reforms are socially inclusive and environmentally sound. This begins with diversifying the energy mix by prioritizing renewables – particularly solar and wind – through competitive auctions and de-risked investment environments that attract private sector participation. Kosovo* must simplify permitting procedures, build institutional expertise, and enhance the grid’s technical capacity to absorb renewable inputs.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, investments are needed in energy efficiency for public and private buildings, especially given the country’s high winter heating demand and grid losses. Carbon-free heating solutions and retrofitting programs can help reduce both emissions and energy poverty, especially among vulnerable groups.

Subsidies must be designed for low-income households

Financing this transformation requires a blended approach – mobilizing domestic resources, securing grants from the EU and the United States, and leveraging international financial institutions through loans with state guarantees. But energy justice is not only about technology or money, it is about who benefits. Subsidies and support schemes must be designed for low-income households to participate in renewable adoption as consumers and prosumers.

A just transition brings inclusive growth and long-term climate resilience

Moreover, Kosovo* must link its investment strategies to broader social objectives, like upskilling labor for green jobs, protecting coal-reliant communities, and embedding equity and participation in every step of reform.

Kosovo* needs to make use of its strengths, and supports its young population, smaller enterprises and low-income households. Without an integrated approach, it risks reinforcing existing inequalities, but if it creates an energy transition that is just for the people, the country can turn its transition into a platform for inclusive growth, and long-term climate change resilience.

Tringe Shkodra Just Transition Young Voices Awards

Post Views:227
* 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.
January 22, 2026
by in News

Kosovo’s* just energy transition: greening the Kingdom of Coal

Author: Tringë Shkodra

Kosovo’s* energy transition has great potential but key players such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young people are facing structural exclusion.

Our energy system is still heavily dependent on dirty fossil fuels and overburdened by frequent outages, reliance on imports, and growing costs, particularly during the winter when demand is at its highest and most households and businesses can no longer afford to pay energy bills. While infrastructure upgrades are essential, they are not enough. In order to succeed, this transition must be just, meaning it needs to be inclusive and rooted in the lived experiences of the people it aims to serve.

Understanding Kosovo’s* distinct socio-economic landscape, with the country having the youngest population in Europe as well as a large number of SMEs, is essential for addressing its development challenges and unlocking its potential.

SMEs form the backbone of the Kosovan* economy but get structurally excluded from accessing energy-saving practices. Many studies shed light on energy efficiency within Kosovo’s* private sector – particularly among SMEs, and show that these businesses face serious barriers to adopting sustainable practices. While larger firms are more likely to invest in energy-saving technologies, SMEs struggle with access to finance, lack awareness, and get minimal institutional support.

Businesses require energy efficiency for survival

Yet energy audits show that many could reduce consumption by up to 40% with low-cost interventions. This isn’t about reluctance, but structural exclusion. Energy efficiency, in this context, is not just a technical fix but a survival strategy for businesses.

With the right incentives, this sector can become a driver of Kosovo’s* green transition, creating jobs and fostering innovation.

Youth rarely invited to table

Another overlooked potential for Kosovo’s* energy transition are the youth. Over half of Kosovo’s* population is under the age of 30, yet their involvement in environmental governance remains limited. A study of youth participation in environmental and climatic concerns across ten municipalities of Kosovo* found that, while 63% of young respondents reported a strong desire to contribute to environmental policymaking, only 15% had ever participated in such processes.

Youth-led initiatives, innovation hubs, and climate advocacy networks are lacking institutional trust and real influence

This isn’t a lack of engagement; it’s again a lack of access. Youth-led initiatives, innovation hubs, and climate advocacy networks are already active, but they need to be met with institutional trust and real influence. The potential of our youth is vast – from engineers developing solar microgrids to community organizers shaping local green agendas. However, without inclusion, this potential remains untapped. We are ready to lead, but we are rarely invited to the table.

Dependence on lignite is cause of public health crisis

Advancing fundamental reforms aligned with European values is a prerequisite for sustainable development. This includes harmonizing structural reforms outlined in the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs), strengthening the rule of law, and embedding the energy transition within the European Union’s broader green agenda. Kosovo’s* overreliance on lignite coal poses not only environmental but social risks, and the outdated mindset of living in the Kingdom of Coal clashes with the urgent need for a clean, secure, and just energy future.

Data from Riinvest Institute outlines clearly that over 90% of Kosovo’s* electricity is still produced from coal, while renewable energy accounts for less than 6%. This dependence is more than an economic liability – it is a public health crisis. Around 300,000 to 400,000 people live within 30 kilometers of lignite-fired power plants Kosovo A and Kosovo B, which lack modern emission controls.

Air pollution and outdated technology put thousands at risk every day. The urgency to diversify the energy mix isn’t only environmental – it is humanitarian. Energy, when approached with justice in mind, can become a tool for dignity and equal opportunity.

Despite a myriad of strategies and policy documents, Kosovo* has made only partial progress in aligning with EU energy and environmental standards. The Energy Community Annual Implementation Report (2024) shows that implementation across clusters such as decarbonization and energy security ranges from just 40% to 66%. True transformation demands more than technical upgrades as it requires institutional coordination, transparency, and strong evidence-based policymaking.

We are transitioning lives

In a recent conversation, a national energy expert put it simply: “We are not just transitioning technologies. We are transitioning lives.” A just energy transition must therefore encompass more than grid modernization or solar farms. It requires tailored policies – legislation that removes bureaucratic bottlenecks, the rollout of incentives for low-income households to adopt renewables, and clear pathways for communities to become prosumers.

Kosovo’s* policy frameworks, such as the forthcoming National Energy and Climate Plan and the renewable energy law, must be instruments of real transformation – practical, inclusive, and focused on impact.

Permitting procedures for renewables need to be simplified

To catalyze a just energy transition, the country requires comprehensive investments across its energy infrastructure while ensuring that reforms are socially inclusive and environmentally sound. This begins with diversifying the energy mix by prioritizing renewables – particularly solar and wind – through competitive auctions and de-risked investment environments that attract private sector participation. Kosovo* must simplify permitting procedures, build institutional expertise, and enhance the grid’s technical capacity to absorb renewable inputs.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, investments are needed in energy efficiency for public and private buildings, especially given the country’s high winter heating demand and grid losses. Carbon-free heating solutions and retrofitting programs can help reduce both emissions and energy poverty, especially among vulnerable groups.

Subsidies must be designed for low-income households

Financing this transformation requires a blended approach – mobilizing domestic resources, securing grants from the EU and the United States, and leveraging international financial institutions through loans with state guarantees. But energy justice is not only about technology or money, it is about who benefits. Subsidies and support schemes must be designed for low-income households to participate in renewable adoption as consumers and prosumers.

A just transition brings inclusive growth and long-term climate resilience

Moreover, Kosovo* must link its investment strategies to broader social objectives, like upskilling labor for green jobs, protecting coal-reliant communities, and embedding equity and participation in every step of reform.

Kosovo* needs to make use of its strengths, and supports its young population, smaller enterprises and low-income households. Without an integrated approach, it risks reinforcing existing inequalities, but if it creates an energy transition that is just for the people, the country can turn its transition into a platform for inclusive growth, and long-term climate change resilience.

Tringe Shkodra Just Transition Young Voices Awards

Post Views:226
* 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.
January 21, 2026
by in News

Voice from beyond the centre

Balkan Green Energy News, the media partner of the 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards, is publishing the three winning articles. The Energy Community Secretariat organized the contest in collaboration with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, the CLEW Network, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The aim is to promote young adults set to shape the climate, energy, and social landscape in the years ahead in the Energy Community region. 

Author: Ani Gogokhia

It is the summer of 2045  – unusually hot compared to previous years – but the unbearable heat is not the only problem. I wake up in my small apartment in western Georgia, open the window, and immediately see clouds of exhaust fumes. For me, this is just another part of everyday life.

After a quick breakfast, I step outside for a short walk to wake myself up. The buildings in the city are the only things that remain unchanged. The number of people on the streets is declining. I feel lonely – most of my peers have either moved to the capital, Tbilisi, or left for European countries.

Thinking of them inevitably leads me to reflect on my own career path. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in my region.

Not much choice for young woman

With those thoughts weighing on me, I walk quickly to my first job. I call it my first job because I’ll head to another one later in the afternoon. The commute is long, and public transport only slows me down – so I walk. As I pass the local market, I see vendors, most of them women, standing in the scorching sun.

My job is house cleaning. The pay is just enough to cover groceries and utility bills, but with the cost of living rising daily, I rush to a second cleaning job in the afternoon. Floors, windows, walls – it’s all the same. If you wonder why I chose this line of work, the answer is simple: there wasn’t much choice, especially for a young woman.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it

There’s little to say about the workday. I return home as the sun begins to set, carrying groceries in both hands. As I unpack, I wait for my family. Everyone works – my mother and father in a factory, and my sister at a hospital. We gather for dinner and talk about current events: rising tensions, protests over low wages, unemployment, and deepening poverty.

But these conversations always end the same way – with my mother’s cancer. She developed the disease after years of exposure to harmful substances at the factory, yet she still can’t stop working. We simply can’t afford her treatment otherwise.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it. For the energy transition to be truly just, it must include rural areas, too, creating fair opportunities for people across Georgia.

A just transition refers to a series of policies that ensure fair and equal opportunities for everyone as we shift to a greener economy in the fight against climate change. It’s a process meant to align energy systems with modern, sustainable standards. Local governments play a vital role, though many factors – such as geography and ethnicity – can affect how smoothly this transition occurs.

Just transition in Georgia

Georgia is working to stay aligned with global green trends through international cooperation. Hydropower dominates its energy sector, but the country is slowly incorporating wind and solar systems. Since joining the Energy Community in 2017, Georgia has made notable strides toward harmonizing its legislation with the European Union’s energy standards.

This alignment has attracted major investments in renewable energy. Projects like the Kartli wind farm and a national roadmap for a circular economy – supported by the EU4Environment program – are steps in the right direction.

The city of Zugdidi is among the trailblazers in Georgia in the energy efficiency segment, youth engagement and environmental education

These national achievements are significant, but what about rural areas far from the capital? Each region presents unique challenges and opportunities in the just transition. In western Georgia, Zugdidi has started participating in this process. Although large-scale renewable projects remain concentrated elsewhere, the city has seen pilot initiatives in energy efficiency, youth engagement, and environmental education supported by the EU.

The rural development programs of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zugdidi focus on inclusive economic participation, especially for youth, and promote eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture to curb outward migration. One noteworthy initiative involved using hazelnut shells to heat school greenhouses – a clever use of a crop central to local livelihoods. Educational projects and international partnerships have also helped raise awareness about the green economy, yet challenges remain.

Chiatura craves economic diversification away from mining

Take, for example, Chiatura – a mining town east of Zugdidi, known for its manganese industry since Soviet times. Chiatura’s economy has long depended on mining, with consequences such as environmental degradation, poor working conditions, and economic stagnation when mining activity declines. Without economic diversification, residents remain vulnerable and largely excluded from sustainable development benefits.

In 2024, Georgian news outlets reported: “The hunger strike entered its 22nd day on July 10, involving eight miners, three of whom have sewn their mouths shut.“ The unrest stems from decisions to shut down underground mining operations, leaving workers desperate and uncertain about their futures.

While Zugdidi explores decentralized, eco-friendly solutions like biomass heating, Chiatura still lags in implementing alternatives – clean industries, green technologies, or renewable energy – deepening the divide between regions.

Youth massively moving to capital Tbilisi

Unfortunately, Georgia’s development remains overly centralized. Most opportunities are clustered in Tbilisi, causing a massive youth outflow from other regions into the capital.

Geographic and infrastructural limitations in rural and mountainous areas also pose serious barriers. For example, eastern Georgia has high solar radiation – perfect for photovoltaic panels – but varied terrain complicates installation. Wind energy prospects are greater in the east, as western regions are less windy.

A just transition also demands inclusive participation, especially from women. As of 2024, women make up just 28% of the global STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce – a glaring underrepresentation. In Georgia, the meaningful inclusion of women in the just transition remains a significant challenge. Empowering women – politically, economically, and socially – is key.

A difficult past marked by political instability and conflict has left its mark, but the more women engage in public life, the greater their chances of economic empowerment, entry into traditionally male-dominated professions and establishing decent place in economy.

What must be done

While Georgia has made substantial headway towards its climate goals, it is key for the country to create a unified national policy that addresses all regions equitably. We need robust educational campaigns, targeted support for rural areas, and most importantly, greater inclusion of women and minority groups in the just transition.

Only then can we build a fair, resilient society capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Just transition Young Voices Awards articles Ani Gogokhia
Photo: Just Transition Young Voices Awards
Post Views:226
October 30, 2025
by in News

Romania’s coal town Turceni starts EUR 380 million green energy transformation

Turceni is dependent on the local coal power plant, so the municipal authority is turning to agrivoltaics, energy storage and green hydrogen to replace it. The small town in southwestern Romania is kickstarting a EUR 380 million project.

The coal plant in Turceni used to be one of the biggest in Europe, at 2.3 GW. Located next to the eponymous town in Romania’s Gorj coal region, only two units of 660 MW in total are still operational. At the same time, dozens of such facilities across Europe are shutting down ahead of schedule. The power plant and its associated mines within Complexul Energetic Turceni have been essential for the local economy, which is under threat of devastation amid the country’s coal phaseout.

As with other coal regions in the European Union, the solution is in green energy and new technologies. The town hall has signed a contract with the European Investment Bank for agrisolar parks, energy storage units and the production and storage of green hydrogen.

Turceni town hall secures municipal land for green energy projects

The project is worth a whopping EUR 380 million, Mayor Constantin Popescu revealed. Turceni and its administrative area have fewer than seven thousand inhabitants.

More than 123 hectares of municipal land (pastures) and more than 200 hectares of private land were designated for the renewable energy hub, the mayor stressed.

Bankwatch: The coal region is transitioning to a future based on innovation, sustainability and strong partnerships

Partners in the project are Bankwatch Romania and GAL Sudul Gorjului, the so-called local action group for southern Gorj. Bankwatch said over 370 hectares would be switched to clean and sustainable energy production.

“We are glad that we had an important role in developing the project plan and aligning it with European environmental policies, as well as in applying for technical assistance. For a region that has been, for decades, a pillar of coal-fired energy, this project marks a strategic transformation: a transition to a future based on innovation, sustainability and strong partnerships,” the organization added.

Investments to start in 2026

Implementation is scheduled to begin next year. The project will contribute to a just transition of the region by increasing the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, Popescu asserted. In his words, it will be complementary to the local authority’s other ongoing and future decarbonization investments.

The mayor also highlighted the plans to use geothermal energy for district heating and agriculture.

Complexul Energetic Turceni is part of state-owned Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia). According to the company’s restructuring and decarbonization plan, the coal business will be separated from green energy and other investments.

They include projects for CCGT (combined-cycle gas turbine) power plants of 475 MW in Turceni and 800 MW in nearby Ișalnița, as the main replacement for coal plants. Both are suffering heavy delays.

Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan said last week that CE Oltenia’s Ișalnița coal plant in neighboring Dolj county would be closed on January 1. Romania has asked the European Commission to delay the closure of several coal plant units, scheduled for this year, until 2030.

Earlier this year, a joint venture between CE Oltenia and OMV Petrom hired contractors for four solar power plants at former coal land, with a combined capacity of about 550 MW. One of the sites is in Ișalnița.

Post Views:110
October 9, 2025
by in News

Voice from beyond the centre

Balkan Green Energy News, the media partner of the 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards, is publishing the three winning articles. The Energy Community Secretariat organized the contest in collaboration with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, the CLEW Network, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The aim is to promote young adults set to shape the climate, energy, and social landscape in the years ahead in the Energy Community region. 

Author: Ani Gogokhia

It is the summer of 2045  – unusually hot compared to previous years – but the unbearable heat is not the only problem. I wake up in my small apartment in western Georgia, open the window, and immediately see clouds of exhaust fumes. For me, this is just another part of everyday life.

After a quick breakfast, I step outside for a short walk to wake myself up. The buildings in the city are the only things that remain unchanged. The number of people on the streets is declining. I feel lonely – most of my peers have either moved to the capital, Tbilisi, or left for European countries.

Thinking of them inevitably leads me to reflect on my own career path. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in my region.

Not much choice for young woman

With those thoughts weighing on me, I walk quickly to my first job. I call it my first job because I’ll head to another one later in the afternoon. The commute is long, and public transport only slows me down – so I walk. As I pass the local market, I see vendors, most of them women, standing in the scorching sun.

My job is house cleaning. The pay is just enough to cover groceries and utility bills, but with the cost of living rising daily, I rush to a second cleaning job in the afternoon. Floors, windows, walls – it’s all the same. If you wonder why I chose this line of work, the answer is simple: there wasn’t much choice, especially for a young woman.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it

There’s little to say about the workday. I return home as the sun begins to set, carrying groceries in both hands. As I unpack, I wait for my family. Everyone works – my mother and father in a factory, and my sister at a hospital. We gather for dinner and talk about current events: rising tensions, protests over low wages, unemployment, and deepening poverty.

But these conversations always end the same way – with my mother’s cancer. She developed the disease after years of exposure to harmful substances at the factory, yet she still can’t stop working. We simply can’t afford her treatment otherwise.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it. For the energy transition to be truly just, it must include rural areas, too, creating fair opportunities for people across Georgia.

A just transition refers to a series of policies that ensure fair and equal opportunities for everyone as we shift to a greener economy in the fight against climate change. It’s a process meant to align energy systems with modern, sustainable standards. Local governments play a vital role, though many factors – such as geography and ethnicity – can affect how smoothly this transition occurs.

Just transition in Georgia

Georgia is working to stay aligned with global green trends through international cooperation. Hydropower dominates its energy sector, but the country is slowly incorporating wind and solar systems. Since joining the Energy Community in 2017, Georgia has made notable strides toward harmonizing its legislation with the European Union’s energy standards.

This alignment has attracted major investments in renewable energy. Projects like the Kartli wind farm and a national roadmap for a circular economy – supported by the EU4Environment program – are steps in the right direction.

The city of Zugdidi is among the trailblazers in Georgia in the energy efficiency segment, youth engagement and environmental education

These national achievements are significant, but what about rural areas far from the capital? Each region presents unique challenges and opportunities in the just transition. In western Georgia, Zugdidi has started participating in this process. Although large-scale renewable projects remain concentrated elsewhere, the city has seen pilot initiatives in energy efficiency, youth engagement, and environmental education supported by the EU.

The rural development programs of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zugdidi focus on inclusive economic participation, especially for youth, and promote eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture to curb outward migration. One noteworthy initiative involved using hazelnut shells to heat school greenhouses – a clever use of a crop central to local livelihoods. Educational projects and international partnerships have also helped raise awareness about the green economy, yet challenges remain.

Chiatura craves economic diversification away from mining

Take, for example, Chiatura – a mining town east of Zugdidi, known for its manganese industry since Soviet times. Chiatura’s economy has long depended on mining, with consequences such as environmental degradation, poor working conditions, and economic stagnation when mining activity declines. Without economic diversification, residents remain vulnerable and largely excluded from sustainable development benefits.

In 2024, Georgian news outlets reported: “The hunger strike entered its 22nd day on July 10, involving eight miners, three of whom have sewn their mouths shut.“ The unrest stems from decisions to shut down underground mining operations, leaving workers desperate and uncertain about their futures.

While Zugdidi explores decentralized, eco-friendly solutions like biomass heating, Chiatura still lags in implementing alternatives – clean industries, green technologies, or renewable energy – deepening the divide between regions.

Youth massively moving to capital Tbilisi

Unfortunately, Georgia’s development remains overly centralized. Most opportunities are clustered in Tbilisi, causing a massive youth outflow from other regions into the capital.

Geographic and infrastructural limitations in rural and mountainous areas also pose serious barriers. For example, eastern Georgia has high solar radiation – perfect for photovoltaic panels – but varied terrain complicates installation. Wind energy prospects are greater in the east, as western regions are less windy.

A just transition also demands inclusive participation, especially from women. As of 2024, women make up just 28% of the global STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce – a glaring underrepresentation. In Georgia, the meaningful inclusion of women in the just transition remains a significant challenge. Empowering women – politically, economically, and socially – is key.

A difficult past marked by political instability and conflict has left its mark, but the more women engage in public life, the greater their chances of economic empowerment, entry into traditionally male-dominated professions and establishing decent place in economy.

What must be done

While Georgia has made substantial headway towards its climate goals, it is key for the country to create a unified national policy that addresses all regions equitably. We need robust educational campaigns, targeted support for rural areas, and most importantly, greater inclusion of women and minority groups in the just transition.

Only then can we build a fair, resilient society capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Photo: Just Transition Young Voices Awards
Post Views:143
August 21, 2025
by in News

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.

Post Views:25
* 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.
June 19, 2025
by in News

Western Balkan coal plants cut harmful emissions in 2024 but breaches remain extreme

In 2024, Western Balkan governments’ chronic law enforcement failures allowed sulphur dioxide (SO2) pollution from the region’s antiquated coal power plants to exceed legal limits by six times, according to the Comply or Close report. The overall particulate matter (PM or dust) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution from coal plants continued to exceed legal limits.

Emissions of the three pollutants were actually the lowest since at least 2018, altogether, but the legal upper limits were reduced as well. Serbian coal plants released almost a third less SO2 than in 2023 thanks to desulfurization units. The drop was greater than the total decrease in the region.

Seven years since pollution control rules came into force under the Energy Community Treaty, SO2 emissions from coal plants included in the national emission reduction plans (NERPs) of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia were still collectively six times as high as allowed, Bankwatch said in its Comply or Close annual report.

Region-wide, SO2 emissions decreased 12.1% year over year, to 518,248 tons, but it’s only 14.5% down from 2018. The limits were more stringent in 2024 than in previous years, as is the case with PM pollution and NOx, which widened the compliance gap.

BiH becomes biggest SO2 polluter in Western Balkans

For the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s NERP coal plants were the highest SO2 emitters, with 212,840 tons altogether – an increase of 17.1% from the previous year – and 11.3 times as high as allowed. The group excludes the Stanari facility, built in 2016. It has complied with the European Union’s Large Combustion Plants Directive since the start.

Serbia followed, with 205,925 tons, or 4.6 times as high as allowed. The total amount of SO2 emissions fell 30.1% on an annual basis, landing at the lowest level since at least 2018. The decrease in the country was higher than in the whole region. Of note, Serbia has a new coal plant, too – Kostolac B3.

The Kostolac B coal plant has a desulfurization unit, but its SO2 emissions in 2024 were 2.3 times more than allowed

The (insufficient) drop in SO2 emissions from the NERP facilities in the country is due to desulfurization units. Some of the other improvements in the region regarding air pollution came from a decrease in production.

Kostolac B finally started to decrease its emissions in 2024 with its desulfurization system, but it still emitted 2.3 times as much as allowed.

In April 2024, the EUR 215 million desulfurisation system at Termoelektrane Nikola Tesla (TENT) A3-A6 was commissioned. It was 13 years after securing funding. The units still emitted more than twice as much sulphur dioxide as allowed in 2024. Another desulfurization facility, at TENT B, was 91% complete at the end of the year.

Ugljevik accounts for over one fifth of SO2 emissions in region as desulfurization unit is idle

For the fifth time since 2018, the biggest individual SO2 polluter in the Western Balkans was Ugljevik in BiH, with 112,943 tons – more than the previous year. It includes a desulfurization unit since 2020, but it hasn’t been working as the operator considers it an “economic burden.”

In 2024, the only potentially significant development regarding pollution control in the region was the signing of a contract for the construction of a desulfurisation unit at Kakanj 6 and 7, the report notes. It is projected to cost just under EUR 63 million. But the authors of Comply and Close pointed to the slow progress in the reconstruction of the Pljevlja coal power plant in Montenegro, which is also conducted by a consortium of China-based Dongfang.

Five coal units operating illegally

Pljevlja is the only coal plant in Montenegro. The facility isn’t under NERP rules, but under a so-called opt-out mechanism. The deadlines have expired for closing the smallest and oldest plants under the opt-out limited lifetime derogation.

Pljevlja has been running illegally since late 2020, and in 2022 was joined by Tuzla 4 and Kakanj 5 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Morava in Serbia. The Kolubara A plant, also in Serbia, failed to stop operating at the end of 2023.

The Energy Community Secretariat has opened several infringement-type cases against the three countries, but not a single government has imposed penalties on the coal plants in question. Nor do they have clear, updated and realistic plans for compliance or closure.

Montenegro, Serbia and BiH have no clear plans for the coal plants that operate after ther their opt-out deadlines expired

“In six months, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will finally limit exports of Western Balkan countries’ carbon-intensive electricity by imposing fees on imports to the EU. This will make their ageing, inefficient coal plants even less economic. But the Balkan governments and utilities seem oblivious, as if they have all the time in the world. Clear, workable plans are urgently needed,” said Balkan Energy Coordinator at Bankwatch Davor Pehchevski.

Six units exceeded their individual ceilings for sulfur dioxide emissions by more than ten times – Ugljevik, Gacko, Tuzla 6 and Kakanj 7 in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kostolac A2 in Serbia; and Bitola B1 and B2 in North Macedonia.

In 2024, Pljevlja’s SO2 emissions dropped 11.1% to 39,140 tons, the lowest level since at least 2018. Dust emissions decreased to 793 tons from a record high of 1,130 tons, but this was still higher than any other year since the beginning of the period. NOx emissions – 3,682 tons, the second-lowest result, compare to 3,982 tons registered in 2023.

Gacko coal plant tops chart in particulate matter emissions

Dust pollution from NERP coal plants in the region was 1.9 times higher than allowed last year. It dropped slightly from 2023 but remained similar to 2018 levels.

The highest emitter was Gacko in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emitted 3,339 tons – 13.7 times above the limit. After protests by local people, improvements were announced in autumn 2023, however the plant’s pollution grew last year. Overall, dust in BiH decreased for the third time in a row, landing at 4,146 tons. The emissions in the segment peaked in 2021 at 6,040 tons.

Serbia is the only country in the region with emissions of PM particles within legal limits

Nitrogen oxides pollution in the region totaled 1.4 times above the limit, after 1.3 times more than allowed in 2023. BiH, Kosovo* and Serbia all continued to breach their NOx limits, with TENT B in Serbia emitting the most – 12,418 tons.

Kosovo* had the highest exceedance – 3.1 times as high as its ceiling. The reconstruction and modernization of one of the two units in the Kosovo B coal power plant started recently.

North Macedonia is the only country complying with the rule on nitrogen oxides. Serbia is the only one below the limit for PM particles.

“EU enlargement is back on the agenda, but the harsh reality is that Western Balkan governments are showing no interest in people’s health or the environment. Instead of a robust response to these chronic breaches, the European Commission recently prioritised the Jadar lithium mine in Serbia as strategic, rewarding the regime’s failure to uphold the rule of law. This has to change, and fast,” said Bankwatch’s Southeast Europe Energy Policy Officer Pippa Gallop.

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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.
June 19, 2025
by in News

Just Transition Young Voices Award: Empowering youth champions in the clean energy transition

In a celebration of youth-led climate action, the Energy Community Secretariat, together with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, RYCO, and CLEW, has launched the Just Transition Young Voices Award, spotlighting the importance of young people’s voices in shaping a just, equitable, and sustainable energy future. Balkan Green Energy News is an official media partner of the initiative.

Young people aged 18 to 30 from the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova are invited to submit 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 award provides a platform for creative and solution-oriented journalism addressing the challenges and opportunities of a just transition.

Applications are open until 28 July 2025. The competition aims to showcase innovative thinking and concrete solutions developed by young people who are actively engaging in climate and energy issues.

Foto: Energy Community Secretariat

The award framework

The Just Transition Young Voices Award aims to inspire and support young people with an interest in energy and climate journalism to explore and report on just transition topics. Submissions should be original, fact-based articles in English, between 700 and 1,100 words. Stories may highlight real people, places, or initiatives that reflect the challenges, opportunities, and solutions involved in just transition, particularly in sectors or regions impacted by the green shift.

Three prizes will be awarded:

  • A one-month paid internship at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna;
  • A field mission on energy transition in the Western Balkans with Bankwatch;
  • Participation in the Climate Reporting Training with CAN Europe in Ohrid (1–3 September 2025).

Winning pieces will be published on Balkan Green Energy News and other partner platforms, as well as presented at the Energy Community Just Transition Forum. Applications will be evaluated by a jury comprising representatives from Bankwatch, CLEW Network, RYCO, and the Energy Community Secretariat.

The Just Transition Young Voices Award reaffirms a simple truth: meaningful system change requires the leadership of those who will live with its consequences.

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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.