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.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in North Macedonia opened a case to determine whether the Bitola plant is disposing of its ash properly, after the surrounding area was covered in coal ash blown from the disposal site.
Montenegro submits a draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) which mentions a coal phase-out in 2035 only, but also 2040, despite the already 4 years-long illegal operation of the Pljevlja lignite plant.
A contract for installing desulphurisation equipment at Kakanj 6 and 7 units was signed between Elektroprivreda BiH and the Chinese company Dongfang Electric International Corporation.
The Serbian public utility announces a tender for the conceptual design of decommissioning the Morava and Kolubara A power plants, however without a clear timeline of such works.
The deadline for submitting final NECPs to the Energy Community Secretariat expires, without any of the Western Balkan countries meeting it.
A desulphurisation unit is commissioned at Nikola Tesla A3-A6 power plant in Serbia, 13 years after funding for it had been secured. After trial runs at the end of 2024, the SO2 emissions are still twice above the limit.
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.
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 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.
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.
People from the Nadinići area, near Gacko power plant hold a protest due to the high levels of pollution.
It is reported that the equipment for Pljevlja’s rehabilitation is about to arrive from China.
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.
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.
Kostolac B finally obtains the operating permit for its de-SOx installation, after several failed applications beginning in October 2020
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
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
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
Serbia’s state-owned energy company announces delays and cancellations of pollution control projects at its Nikola Tesla B2 and A1-A2 units
Rehabilitation works at the Pljevlja power plant reportedly begin, with two years’ delay
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
The Energy Community Secretariat sent a Reasoned Opinion to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia, moving thus forward with the LCPD infringement case
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 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
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.
Montenegro submits an official report to the European Environment Agency that by the end of 2020, the Pljevlja plant had used up more than its allocated 20,000 hours under its opt-out.
Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, the operator of Ugljevik coal power plant, announces it is seeking a consultant for obtaining the operating permit for the de-SOx equipment
A contract for rehabilitation works at the Pljevlja coal power plant in Montenegro was signed, expected to bring the emissions in line with the EU’s 2017 LCP BREF limit values for existing power plants by 2023.
Technical problems reported at the Ugljevik de-SOx
Public consultation for the updated Environmental Impact Assessment report of the already built desulphurisation unit at Kostolac B is launched, at the power plant operator’s request
Test operations begin at the Ugljevik power plant’s de-SOx in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Financing agreement signed for reduction of dust and NOx emissions at Kosova B coal power plant
Works begin on the de-SOx equipment installation at Nikola Tesla A power plant in Serbia.
Request for a construction permit for the de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant rejected again
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 submitted
Deadline for implementation of Large Combustion plants Directive in all Energy Community countries
Finalisation of rehabilitation works and installation of de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B in Serbia
A ceremony is held in Ugljevik in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the beginning of works on the desulphurisation of the plant
A contract for installation of electrostatic precipitators at the Ugljevik power plant is signed, for reduction of dust emissions.
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.
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.
Loan from China Exim Bank signed for the installation of de-SOx equipment at Kostolac B power plant in Serbia
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
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
Energy Community Treaty enters into force
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.
