Balkans turns to coal as energy crisis trumps climate commitments
19/04/2022 11:48
By Fatos Bytyci and Ognen Teofilovski
OSLOMEJ, North Macedonia, April 19 (Reuters) - Balkan
nations in southeast Europe are turning to coal as they try to
tackle a global surge in energy prices, raising fears among
environmentalists that countries are rowing back on commitments
to phase out the most polluting fossil fuel.
North Macedonia, once a frontrunner in attracting renewable
energy investors, said earlier this month it planned to open two
new coal mines to supply power stations.
The energy ministry also said it wants to buy 3 million
tonnes of coal from neighbouring Kosovo, though no deal has been
signed.
"With the start of the energy crisis, not just us but all
nations in Europe have immediately increased the production of
electricity from coal because it is the cheapest and most secure
(source)," said Vasko Kovacevski, CEO of state-owned power
utility Elektrani na Severna Makedonija (ESM).
Surging wholesale prices, low inventories and Russia's
invasion of Ukraine have sent energy prices soaring and prompted
many countries to scramble to secure supplies.
But environmentalists say turning to coal is not the answer.
"Decarbonisation is one of the pillars of the green agenda
and we submit a plan for a coal mine? This is unacceptable,"
said Nevena Smilevska of environmental group Eko-svest in
Skopje.
The new coal mines are Zivojno, close to the Bitola power
plant in the south of the country, and Gushterica, near the
Oslomej plant in the west. Neither the government nor ESM have
said when they will open or how much they will produce.
Skopje originally planned to phase out coal by 2027, but in
January pushed this back to 2030.
Kosovo, meanwhile, said foreign companies - including from
Germany - had also enquired about buying coal. Kosovo has
world's fifth largest deposits of lignite, a soft coal whose
relatively low energy content translates to especially toxic
pollution when burnt.
Serbia has said it is increasing coal production due to
insufficient rain for hydro-electric plants, and that it will
import 500 tonnes of coal per day from Montenegro.
Bosnia, the only Balkan country that exports electricity,
says it will delay plans to shut down coal-fired power plants
due to high energy prices and the impact of war in Ukraine.
At North Macedonia's Oslomej plant, a 10 megawatt solar
facility has recently been built as part of a plan to replace
coal.
News that more coal will be burnt at the plant was greeted
with dismay by Xhelil Zendeli, who lives nearby.
"People here are revolted. This should not be working
another day. The sooner they close it down the better," said
Zendeli, wiping dust from a metal plate at his house that he
said was released by the plant burning coal.
(Additional reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic in Sarajevo and Ivana
Sekularac in Belgrade
Editing by Mark Potter)
((fatos.bytyci@thomsonreuters.com; +383 49 161 602;))