Can EU Mining Waste Regulations Address the Challenges of Increased Mining?

30.08.2024

rudarenje — Photo-illustraion: Freepik (ArthurHidden)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Shane McLendon)

In an effort to reduce its reliance on the import of critical raw materials, which are essential for various industries, including technology, energy, and automotive, Europe plans to increase mining in the coming years. Moreover, new mines will be opened to achieve the goal set by the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which aims to produce at least 10 percent of these raw materials within Europe.

The question arises: are European mining regulations sufficient to meet such a challenge? The organization Transport & Environment (T&E) commissioned a legal analysis of the 2006 EU Mining Waste Directive (EWD) and outlined what its revision should include. It is noted that although Europe is considered to have the highest environmental standards in the world, it is questionable whether those related to mining waste are adequate or outdated for modern needs.

One of the main conclusions of the legal analysis conducted by the law firm Hörchner Advocaten is the risk that EU member states may apply the Directive in different ways. Furthermore, many important provisions are not clearly defined and are left to each member state to implement at their discretion. For example, it is unclear who is responsible in the event of an accident or damage, as well as how often and to what extent prevention and monitoring plans should be implemented.

Another important conclusion of the analysis is that some of the best available techniques are not mandatory, leaving companies the option to decide on their own. In this case, the example given is filtered tailings dams, a technique for managing mining waste that improves safety and reduces environmental risks associated with tailings storage.

Finally, current regulations regarding environmental protection and the well-being of local communities are not sufficiently robust.

Based on the conclusions drawn from the legal analysis, T&E calls on the European Commission to update the Mining Waste Directive and reform it into a new European Mining Waste Regulation. This would ensure the harmonized application of rules across member states. In addition, the best available techniques should become mandatory. Companies should be required to implement them, relying on expert knowledge and guidelines. These guidelines and recommendations on the best available techniques for managing various industrial processes, including mining waste management, are outlined in the Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF). This would not only improve environmental protection and safety but would also positively impact communities living near mining sites.

The third proposal put forward by T&E is to rely on the Safety First Guidelines, developed by experts in mining, civil society, and academia. These guidelines provide detailed explanations on how tailings dams should be designed, managed, and closed. Additionally, they establish key financial and governance provisions that should be implemented. Furthermore, in the new regulation, environmental protection measures and community safety should be strengthened, recognizing the significant and long-lasting impacts on land, biodiversity, and human health in the event of tailings dam failure and spillage.

Finally, it is emphasized that communities should be involved in all stages of mining projects through consultations and should be informed of any incidents should they occur.

Katarina Vuinac

Child of the Year and the Soap that Cures Skin Cancer

29.08.2024

sapuni — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Allie Smith)

Just over a year ago, I lost my aunt—a person very dear to me—to that insidious disease.

Since then, I often think about cancer—all those people who fight valiantly despite poor medical prognoses, the arduous and uncertain treatments, and the feeling of helplessness that spreads to the entire family. Will I one day find myself in the ring with the deadliest disease in the world? Will I be able to defeat it? These fears sometimes keep me awake at night, and I can’t help but wonder how science has come so far yet still hasn’t found a cure for cancer.

I admit that I have slightly leaned into hypochondria, often catching myself googling the symptoms of various types of cancer and searching for recipes for healthy drinks that will make my immune system invincible. And just as I was studying skin cancer and methods of safe tanning, my scrolling was interrupted by amazing news: Young scientist Heman Bekele has created a soap that can cure skin cancer!

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Despite being only 15 years old, Bekele earned the title of “Child of the Year” after devising a simple and economical way to treat skin cancer. In an interview with Time magazine, this promising teenager revealed that he is originally from Ethiopia, where he was daily exposed to people who were overexposed to the sun and had the chance to see the effects on their health.

After moving to the United States with his family, Bekele received his first set of test tubes and chemistry equipment when he was just seven years old.

At first, he experimented with household chemicals like laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid. He often mixed different substances and left them overnight to see how they would react, and his parents were even afraid that Heman would burn down the house.

Fortunately, that did not happen. What did happen is that Bekele grew up to become a true young scientist who brings hope to the entire world that the insidious disease—which often starts as a tiny spot and can end fatally—might finally be easily curable.

Bekele explains that the drug “Imiquimod,” which is used to treat skin cancer, is inaccessible to many vulnerable groups—especially those living in less developed parts of the world. That’s why he thought about how to make the application of this drug more economical, and the solution came in the form of combining the drug with soap.

The reason for this is simple—soap is used daily by almost everyone in the world. If we were to bathe with Bekele’s innovative soap, after rinsing off the lather with water, the drug particles would remain on the skin as an active component capable of treating melanomas.

The teenager explains that the support of older mentors, who contributed their knowledge and experience to the perfection of the cancer-curing soap, was crucial on his path to this discovery. It is possible that this drug will soon be available for sale.

The significance of this young scientist’s discovery is further evidenced by the fact that Bekele won the 2023 Young Scientist Challenge. Well-deserved!

According to data from the World Health Organization, skin cancer is the most widespread form of cancer globally. In the United States, more than five million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer in the country. Therefore, it’s clear why every step towards improving cancer treatment is immensely important, and Bekele has just proven that even young people like him can make the world a better place.

“If it seems like everything has already been invented and that there’s nothing left for you to create, know that it’s not true. Keep creating and making this world a better place to live,” said Bekele. I think that because of these words, I will sleep much more peacefully tonight.

Milena Maglovski

How Degraded Are Freshwater Systems – What the United Nations Report Reveals

29.08.2024

NOVO voda , reka — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jacek Smoter)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Ezra Jeffrey-Comeau)

The state of our freshwater ecosystems has been highlighted in a study conducted by UN-Water and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Through three reports on progress in the area of freshwater resources, it has been shown that a significant number of countries worldwide are experiencing degradation in one or more types of freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and aquifers. This series of reports is published every three years to assess the progress made in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims for clean water and sanitation for all by protecting and restoring freshwater sources.

The main changes observed include a significant reduction in river flow, a decrease in the surface area of water bodies or their complete disappearance, a deterioration in ambient water quality, and the indication that water management is not on the right track.

More precisely, 90 percent of countries, most of which are located in Africa and Central or Southeast Asia, report degradation in one or more freshwater systems. Contributing factors include pollution, dam construction, land-use changes, excessive water extraction, and climate change.

It is reported that river flow has decreased in 402 river basins worldwide, influenced by climate change and land use. This represents a fivefold increase compared to the year 2000. In a significantly smaller number of river basins, river flow is increasing.

In Southeast Asia, there is a drastic decline in mangroves, and their loss due to human activities poses a serious risk to coastal communities, freshwater resources, biodiversity, and the climate. Their role in ecosystem preservation is multifaceted. To clarify, mangroves are coastal forest systems found in tropical and subtropical regions. The significance of these systems lies in their ability to store up to four times more carbon from the atmosphere than other types of forests. Additionally, they act as a natural barrier protecting coastal communities from erosion, storms, or tsunamis, and they provide habitat for a significant portion of biodiversity. As another example, mangroves have the ability to filter water before it enters open water systems.

The reports have also shown that lakes and other surface water bodies are shrinking or disappearing, in 364 basins worldwide.

The poorest half of the world contributes less than three percent of global water quality data. There is an urgent need to improve monitoring of these systems, as it is crucial for the adequate management of water resources. Where data does exist, it shows that the quality of freshwater has deteriorated since 2017. The reports recommend expanding government water quality monitoring programs, incorporating citizen science, and using satellite technologies to fill data gaps.

To sustainably manage water resources, integrated water resource management across all sectors must be implemented by 2030. Although 47 countries have achieved or nearly achieved such management, 63 countries need to accelerate implementation, and 73 have limited capacities. If this trend continues, the world will achieve sustainable water management only by 2049. This further means that by 2030, 3.3 billion people in over 100 countries will likely have inefficient water management systems.

Katarina Vuinac

Accelerated Growth Trend of Solar Capacities

28.08.2024

solar , panel — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mark Merner)

Photo: Courtesy of Profefsor Nikola Rajaković. PhD

The prevailing stance in expert circles today regarding solar energy is undeniably positive. Particular emphasis is placed on its achieved technological maturity and the most rapid growth trend compared to other renewable energy sources, making comparisons with the future share of fossil fuels even more compelling. For the future of energy, an optimal mix that includes wind energy and hydropower, with a carefully measured place for nuclear technologies and moderate hope for nuclear fusion technologies in the more distant future, is indeed being considered.

Energy perspectives on the consumption side must account for the electrification of transport (where feasible) and strong electrification of the heating and cooling sectors and industry. It is essential to focus on reducing energy consumption to improve energy efficiency indicators and possibly due to changes in value systems in what we call the geopolitical West, where there are tentative theories about the need to reduce per capita consumption at this level of development to achieve sector sustainability (degrowthers). Electricity production perspectives balance consumption perspectives.

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For instance, in Europe in 2022, there was a production of 5.7 MWh/ person, and by 2050, a production of 11.7 MWh/person is expected, dominated by renewable energy sources (RES), primarily solar. As an illustration, the final consumption of all types of energy in Europe was 31 MWh/person in 2022, and it is expected to be 23 MWh/person by 2050 due to the impact of the previously analyzed trends. The concept of sustainable development, which sees environmental degradation as the central problem, is often accompanied by much demagoguery. Its main opponent is fundamentally liberal capitalism, which, with its growing hunger for profit, is practically in a perpetual war with sustainability. In 2023, 500 GW of RES capacities were built – a record year!

Of that, 50 per cent of the new RES capacities were built in China. Almost all analyses show that we will reach the peak use of all fossil fuels before 2030, followed by an accelerated decline in the share of fossil fuels in the energy sector. It is worth noting that, according to analyses, the RES sector will participate with about 80 per cent in the construction of new energy capacities in 2030, with solar technologies dominating with more than 50 per cent share. The growth trend of solar capacities is well illustrated by the fact that 220 GW of new solar capacities were built in solar power plants in 2022, and 500 GW of new solar capacities are expected by 2030. Decentralization refers to electricity production from small, geographically distributed renewable energy sources.

Decentralization (distributed production) also brings elements of democratization to the sector by dismantling monopolies of large energy giants. This segment is particularly significant for solar technologies, with solar panels installed on the roofs of family homes, public institutions, parking lots, supermarkets, and factories. In the future, decentralized production of all types of energy is expected to meet almost a third of total energy needs, with solar technologies again standing out as dominant due to their modularity, low cost, environmental friendliness, and potential for installation on vertical facades, car roofs, and numerous unconventional solutions.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mariana Proença)

Centralized production remains dominant (large power plants) but in synergy with decentralized production, which practically does not burden high-voltage transmission networks, forming an optimal hybrid mix. Agrosolar, or the simultaneous use of land for electricity production through solar panels and food production or biomass, is a significant segment of solar technology applications. The use of agrosolar in viticulture has already proven remarkably successful, where grape yields under solar panels, which have adjustable angles, are somewhat reduced, but accelerated airing of the vines after rain minimizes the development of fungal diseases, achieving optimal sunlight conditions (not too much, not too little sun), leading to a winwin situation with additional income from the produced electricity. For the development of large solar projects, it is crucial to successfully solve three parts of a complex puzzle: land (with the labyrinth of urban project development), grid connection (with realistic and conservative limitations imposed by grid operators), and the power purchase agreement (PPA) for the produced electricity (ensuring project bankability).

A significant characteristic of the energy transition in recent years is undoubtedly the speed of change, especially in reducing solar panel and battery technology costs. It is essential to note that hybrid solutions (combining solar power plants with powerful batteries at the same location as one balancing group) are very competitive today.

Professor Nikola Rajaković, PhD

Read the whole story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

A 600-Year-Old Coral Records Changes in Pacific Ocean Temperatures

27.08.2024

korali — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Milos Prelevic)

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Navigator175)

Global warming is affecting the increase in sea and ocean temperatures, leaving its mark on underwater life. One such coral in Fiji, over 600 years old, has recorded how the temperatures of the Pacific Ocean have changed throughout its long lifespan.

Data from this ancient coral reveal how climate patterns, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, have evolved over the centuries, offering crucial context for understanding current and future climate trends.

The research was published in the journal Science Advances, and the species of coral is Diploastrea heliopora, sometimes known as the “honeycomb coral.” This massive coral was discovered in 1998, and scientists obtained samples by drilling into it.

This remarkable 627-year-old record from the coral (1370–1997) represents the longest continuous sea surface temperature record to date. To establish the chronology of temperatures in the waters around Fiji, this coral’s record was compared with others from the Fiji archipelago.

From the coral, scientists determined that local ocean temperatures were high between 1380 and 1553, comparable to those in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. However, when combined with other coral records, the warming observed across the Pacific since 1920, largely attributed to human-induced emissions, represents a significant deviation from the natural variability recorded in earlier centuries.

While the waters around Fiji were almost as warm in the past as they are today, the problem is that the warming is becoming increasingly synchronized across the tropical and subtropical Pacific.

Due to climate change and rising water temperatures, coral bleaching is becoming more frequent, with four global bleaching events recorded so far, leading to the disruption of marine ecosystems.

One of the study’s authors stated that long-term climate variability in the Pacific is crucial for predicting future climate changes.

Energy portal

Cloud Seeding with Drones as a Response to Drought

27.08.2024

drone-in-the-forest — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

After a severe drought hit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China, the country has begun testing revolutionary technology that uses drones for cloud seeding to induce rainfall wherever needed.

According to Chinese media reports, the TB-A drones, typically used in military operations, have been equipped with silver iodide sticks for cloud seeding purposes, which stimulate cloud condensation.

The use of drones offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, including greater precision, flexibility, and lower operational costs. The TB-A drone, equipped with three engines, can carry up to 3,250 kg, has an endurance of 40 hours, and a range of 8,000 km, making it ideal for long-duration operations in remote areas.

The testing in the Xinjiang region will last 45 days, with the aim of increasing precipitation in this drought-stricken area. A successful outcome could lay the groundwork for broader application of this technology in other arid regions, both in China and globally. As climate change intensifies, innovative approaches like this one could become crucial tools in combating drought and managing water resources.

However, experts are concerned that the widespread use of this technology could lead to various consequences, such as increased pollution and the risk of excessive rainfall. Although China is at the forefront of cloud seeding technology, questions remain about the effectiveness and long-term impacts of this technique on the environment.

The Practice of Cloud Seeding in China

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to increase precipitation. This process involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide into the atmosphere, which encourages the condensation of water vapor into clouds, thereby increasing the likelihood of rain or snow. China is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to the application of this technology, with the goals of managing water resources, combating droughts, and reducing air pollution.

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China used cloud seeding to ensure ideal weather conditions for the opening ceremony and the duration of the games. Approximately 1,100 rockets were launched from the ground to disperse silver iodide into the clouds. The goal was to induce rainfall before the clouds reached Beijing, thereby reducing the chances of rain during the opening ceremony.

Milena Maglovski

China Approves More Nuclear Power Plant Projects, Adding a Total of 11 New Reactors

26.08.2024

nuklear NOVO — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Joe)

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Markus Distelrath)

China, like the rest of the world, is facing an increasing demand for electricity, largely driven by rapid industrial development. Coal has dominated and continues to dominate China’s energy sector, providing more than half of the country’s total electricity production. However, considering environmental challenges and international commitments, China has set ambitious goals to have 20 percent of its primary energy consumption come from non-fossil sources by 2030. Nuclear energy, particularly in the coastal regions of the country, has become a key player in this energy transition.

China’s Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) envisions a significant increase in nuclear capacity to 70 GW by the end of 2025, highlighting the strategic role of nuclear energy in the country’s energy future. Recently, an additional five nuclear energy projects were approved, which will bring 11 new reactors.

Today, China possesses its own advanced nuclear technology, the result of years of technology transfer and cooperation, which it uses both for domestic needs and export. The Hualong One reactors, which have become a significant export product since 2015, symbolize China’s progress in this field.

One of the new projects in China’s nuclear sector is currently underway in Jiangsu Province, where the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is developing the world’s first power plant that combines a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and pressurized water reactors. This plant will not only generate electricity but also significantly contribute to industrial heating, supplying 32.5 million tons of industrial steam annually, according to World Nuclear News.

Additionally, it is expected to produce more than 11.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, reduce coal usage by 7.26 million tons, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 19.6 million tons annually. Thus, two Hualong One pressurized water reactors and one high-temperature gas-cooled reactor are planned for this site.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Ajay Pal Singh Atwal)

In addition to this project, China General Nuclear (CGN) plans to build several new nuclear reactors in different parts of the country. Two Hualong One reactors will be built in one plant in Shandong, while two CAP1000 reactors will be installed in another plant in Guangdong. Furthermore, two more Hualong One reactors will be constructed in a plant in Zhejiang, a province where several companies signed trade agreements with Serbia earlier this year.

The State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) also plays a key role in expanding China’s nuclear capacity. Their latest project includes the construction of two CAP1000 reactors as part of the first phase of a nuclear power plant in Guangxi. Completion is planned within just over four and a half years, with additional capacities, including four CAP1400 reactors, planned in future phases.

China’s nuclear sector has seen stable and continuous growth. From 2019 to 2023, the number of newly approved reactors has steadily increased, indicating positive and secure development in this sector. Currently, China has 56 operational nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 54.3 GW, while an additional 30 reactors, with a total capacity of 32.5 GW, are under construction.

Energy portal

The RES SERBIA 2024 Conference Announces new Investments for a Greener Serbia

25.08.2024

Which wind and solar power plants will participate in auctions for market premiums, how European manufacturers of wind generators, solar panels and other equipment are fighting with competition from China, and what price of electricity we will pay in the coming period – these are just some of the current topics that will be discussed at the RES SERBIA 2024 conference, which is being held on September 23 and 24 in the Vrdnička Kula ethno complex in Vrdnik.

Due to the substantial public interest, the largest regional conference dedicated to renewable energy sources will be held this year as a two-day series of panel discussions focusing on the most important topics of energy transition in Serbia and the region, novelties coming from auction winners, accomplished results, new investments and technologies, integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity market, electromobility and sustainable development in transport and ESG strategies.

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According to data collated by the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), as much as 36 per cent of electricity was generated from renewable energy sources last year, which indicates that Serbia was among the leaders in Europe. Small solar power plants are expanding, with more than 3,000 prosumers occupying about 51 MW of capacity registered in the Prosumer Registry. Extensive research recently conducted by the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia, showed that in just one year, the total power generated by prosumers increased almost four times, which speaks volumes about the popularity of producing electricity for one’s own needs, both among individuals and companies.

These topics will be discussed at the RES SERBIA 20024 conference, which will answer current issues and launch new topics to be discussed. This year, for the fourth consecutive year, the organizers are bringing together global, regional, and domestic experts in green business. Speakers include key stakeholders in the creation of regulatory frameworks, leaders of international financial institutions, leading bankers, directors and owners of green development companies, electricity traders, and legal experts. The RES Serbia Association fulfils its mission of connecting key RES stakeholders in the country and the region. Founded in early 2021 with three founding members, the Association is today a representative voice of the industry and a constructive partner for discussions. It also provides support to state institutions, which all contribute to the creation of a positive regulatory framework and a favorable investment environment.

RES Serbia (OIE Srbija) is the only association in Europe with the EBRD, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank’s IFC Group as members. Other members include the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), which announced that it would invest 5.4 billion euros in RES projects by 2030. Other members include the largest wind and solar electricity producers, contractors and equipment sellers, and regional and global giants. To assist each other, the RES Serbia members have opted for EPS as an electricity buyer that will provide a balancing service. Furthermore, projects are financed by the EBRD and banks that sponsor conferences. Members sell their wind generators and equipment to other members, while the Association also has designers, contractors, consultants, brokers, and lawyers as its members.

The RES SERBIA 2024 conference will provide a great opportunity for all of them. Last year, almost 500 participants fortified existing connections and established new contacts, all to develop future RES projects that bring us closer to accomplishing a common goal – a greener Serbia.

RES SERBIA

Read the story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

How an Innovative Liquid Removes 98 Percent of Nanoplastics from Water

25.08.2024

plastika-voda — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Naja Bertolt)

After a piece of plastic enters a water system, such as a sea, ocean, river, or lake, it undergoes degradation due to the influence of sunlight, wind, and water.

A large piece breaks down into micro and eventually into nanoplastics. Although nanoplastics are invisible to the human eye, with a comparison often made to their being much thinner than a human hair, their accumulation poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems.

Due to their small size, nanoplastics easily enter organisms like plankton, which ingest them along with water. When larger marine creatures feed on plankton, they unknowingly ingest nanoplastics as well. In this way, nanoplastics are passed through the food chain.

Scientists at the University of Missouri have developed an innovative solution for removing nanoplastics from water. This involves a special solvent or liquid that is hydrophobic. The solvent is made from natural, non-toxic ingredients, making it environmentally safe, but its effectiveness lies in its hydrophobic nature, meaning it repels water.

To better explain the process, the scientists compared this liquid to oil, which does not mix with water but instead floats on its surface. The process works by first mixing the liquid with water, allowing it to come into contact with the nanoplastic particles and bind them, acting like a magnet. After mixing, the liquid naturally separates from the water and rises to the surface, carrying the nanoplastics with it. Once this layer rises to the surface, it can be easily removed, leaving behind clean water.

However, the entire process currently remains at the laboratory level. In such conditions, scientists used a pipette to carefully remove the solvent from the surface of the water, along with the nanoplastics. The results showed that this method can remove up to 98 percent of nanoplastics from water.

Although the method is still in the testing phase, further research could significantly contribute to reducing this type of pollution in real-world conditions.

Katarina Vuinac

Organela – The Harmony Of Clean Energy and Organic Agriculture

24.08.2024

Clean energy development is a key moment in efforts to establish energy security and preserve our planet. Due to increasingly affordable construction costs, solar power plants have become the most prevalent renewable energy source. However, these plants are often placed on arable land because of the significant amount of sunlight needed for electricity production. On the other hand, agriculture is equally crucial for a secure future for humanity. To ensure the development of both clean energy and agriculture, the agrisolar concept is being increasingly implemented worldwide.

This year, a small street near Valjevska Kamenica became home to the first agrisolar power plant in our country – the Solar Harvest. Comprising 48 solar panels with a total capacity of 17.5 kilowatts, this power plant is located on the Organela organic farm, an estate nestled in pristine nature. Pavle Đorđević, the farm owner and our interlocutor, described the project as “a symbiosis between people and nature”.

The story of this organic farm dates back to Pavle’s childhood when he dreamed of one day having his land where he could create peace and grow fruits and vegetables. He continued to develop his childhood dreams through his studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, and in 2017, he came across an ad that led him to an abandoned farm, which he turned into fertile and healthy land with a lot of love and effort. A few years later, Pavle produces certified organic fruits and vegetables on his farm.

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“We recently added onto our already successful results by installing a solar power plant”, said Mr Đorđević.

As he explains, the benefits are numerous. One advantage for the plants is the shade created by the solar panels above them. Installed in this manner, the solar panels protect the plants from excessive sunlight and heat, which can harm their growth, and also shield them from weather events such as hail.

Speaking about the benefits of solar panels, it is important to note that their efficiency depends on the temperature. Higher temperatures reduce the efficiency of solar panels in producing electricity. It is well known that plants naturally cool the space around them, and since they are under solar panels, they cool them down as well, increasing their efficiency. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. This water is then transported to the top of the plant, where it evaporates through tiny openings on the leaves, a process known as plant evaporation. This way, water evaporates into the air and cools it, which also benefits the more efficient operation of the solar panels.

In addition to promoting crop growth and more efficient solar panel operation, the Solar Harvest agrisolar power plant will also provide clean electricity for the young team working on this farm. This solar power plant is estimated to save 28 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Prepared by Katarina Vuinac

Read the whole story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

Backing Romania’s Green Ambition with 110 Million Euros Finance Package

23.08.2024

Photo-illustration: Freepik (@Oleksandr Ryzhkov)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Raiffeisen Bank International are providing a 110 million euros financing package to build and operate two solar photovoltaic power plants in south-eastern Romania, with a total installed capacity of around 300 MW. The Iepuresti and Ghimpati projects mark the growing confidence in Romania’s renewables market in the wake of key regulatory changes to support the country’s ambitious green energy programme.

An EBRD loan of 55 million euros, to be matched by 55 million euros from Raiffeisen Bank International, will be split into two tranches of 25 million euros and 30 million euros. The first will be partially covered by a first loss guarantee provided by the European Union under the InvestEU programme.

The project is expected to generate an annual 386 GW/h of renewable electricity, avoiding about 160,000 tonnes a year of carbon dioxide emissions. The electricity produced will be sold on the local market.

Grzegorz Zielinski, EBRD Head of Energy Europe, said: “We are excited to support Nofar Energy’s renewable energy investments in Romania, with the support of the InvestEU guarantee. These solar power plants will increase Romania’s renewable capacity, supporting the country’s ambition to add 11.9 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030.”

Favi Stelian, Chief Executive Officer of Nofar Energy Romania, said: “This achievement is not just a milestone; it is the logical next step in Nofar’s ongoing journey of growth and excellence. The successful completion of these projects will play a crucial role in supporting Romania’s ambitious goal for decarbonisation, contributing to a greener future for the region.”

Following a decade of limited investments, Romania’s renewable energy sector is experiencing renewed momentum. The EBRD is a key supporter of the country’s green transition, which will not only improve the environment but also safeguard the country’s energy security in the context of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Romania’s growing ambition in this area builds on EU-wide commitments enacted under the Fit for 55 and REPowerEU initiatives, which aim to increase renewable energy production and reduce harmful emissions. In 2023, Romania committed to increase the share of renewables in its total energy consumption from 24.3 per cent in 2019 to a more ambitious 36.2 per cent by 2030 by adding 11.9 GW of new renewable capacity.

The owners of the Iepuresti and Ghimpati projects are RTG Solar Energy and Solis Imperium, both limited liability companies incorporated in Romania and ultimately majority owned by OY Nofar Energy, an Israeli renewable energy company listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange.

The EBRD, a leader in climate finance, has to date invested almost 11 billion euros in 524 projects in Romania.

Source: EBRD

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