Here is an overview of events in the region, laying out the key dates of legislation and the developments and permit applications that happened simultaniously.
Energy Community Treaty is signed by all countries of the Western Balkans. The Large Combustion Plants Directive is an integral part of the acquis communautaire on environment in Art. 16 of the Treaty.
Energy Community Treaty enters into force
A loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency was signed for the installation of desulphurisation equipment (de-SOx) at the Ugljevik coal power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency was signed for the installation of desulphurisation equipment (de-SOx) at the Nikola Tesla A coal power plant in Serbia
Loan from China Exim Bank signed for the installation of de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant in Serbia
Construction works on the de-SOx facility at Kostolac B in Serbia are spotted by the local residents, although an environmental permit had not yet been granted to the project.
Deadline for countries to submit their National Emission Reduction Plans and Opt-out lists to the Energy Community Secretariat. A total of 17 coal power plants (38 units) are covered by these two mechanisms of complying with the LCPD.
A contract for installation of electrostatic precipitators at the Ugljevik power plant is signed, for reduction of dust emissions.
A ceremony is held in Ugljevik in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the beginning of works on the desulphurisation of the plant
Finalisation of rehabilitation works and installation of de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B in Serbia
Deadline for implementation of Large Combustion plants Directive in all Energy Community countries
Request for a construction permit for the de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant submitted
Request for a construction permit for the de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant rejected
Request for a construction permit for the de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant rejected again
Energy Community Secretariat opens dispute settlement cases against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia due to the breaches of the NERP pollution limits.
The Energy Community Secretariat opens a dispute settlement case against Montenegro in April 2021, for operating the Pljevlja coal plant beyond the 20,000 hours allowed under the opt-out regime
Coal supply shortages and plant failures at Bitola, Nikola Tesla A and B, and Kosovo B power plants send the region into an energy crisis
The Energy Community Secretariat sent a Reasoned Opinion to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia, moving thus forward with the LCPD infringement case
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s parliament votes to illegally extend the lifetime of the Tuzla 4 and Kakanj 5 coal power plants, beyond the 20,000 hours allowed under the opt-out regime
Rehabilitation works at the Pljevlja power plant reportedly begin, with two years’ delay
Serbia’s state-owned energy company announces delays and cancellations of pollution control projects at its Nikola Tesla B2 and A1-A2 units
The Energy Community Secretariat opens a dispute settlement case against Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2022, for operating the Tuzla 4 and Kakanj 5 coal plants beyond the 20,000 hours allowed under the opt-out regime
The Higher Court in Belgrade orders the state-owned energy utility Elektroprivreda Srbije to bring SO2 emissions from all its coal power plants into line with the NERP
After several failed attempts dating back to 2007, and 5 years after it should already have been compliant with pollution legislation, the Bitola power plant is finally issued an IPPC permit laying down its obligations and a timeline for investments in pollution control
Kostolac B finally obtains the operating permit for its de-SOx installation, after several failed applications beginning in October 2020
The Energy Community Secretariat issues a reasoned opinion against Montenegro for continuing to operate the Pljevlja power plant beyond the 20,000 hours allowed under the opt-out regime.
The Energy Community Secretariat sent a reasoned request to the Ministerial Council in the case of Montenegro’s breach of the opt-out derogation in the case Pljevlja. An opinion from the Energy Community Advisory Committee is currently pending before the Ministerial Council can take a decision to confirm the breach.
It is reported that the equipment for Pljevlja’s rehabilitation is about to arrive from China.
People from the Nadinići area, near Gacko power plant hold a protest due to the high levels of pollution.
Deadline for all Western Balkan countries to submit their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to the Energy Community Secretariat. All except North Macedonia fail to meet it.
The Energy Community Secretariat takes further steps in the dispute settlement procedure it initiated in 2021 against BiH, KOS, NMK and SRB for their NERP breaches in 2021, making a reasoned request to the Energy Community Ministerial Council to make decisions on the cases.
The Energy Community Secretariat opens a dispute settlement mechanism against Serbia, for operating the Morava power plant beyond its permitted 20,000 hours.
The deadline for implementing the 20,000 hours derogation expires.
The Ministerial Council of the Energy Community finds Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and North Macedonia in breach of the Treaty over the NERP ceiling breaches.
