EBRD admitted he was wrong by approving the loan without having completed an environmental impact assessment.
After more than two years, appeals procedure at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was completed, with the conclusion that the EBRD has violated its own procedures when it approved the project of financing the construction of HPP Ombla before study of impact on nature was made, it was announced from Green Action. Recommendations from this appeal will be taken into account when making a new socio-environmental policy of the EBRD, in the spring of 2014.
Green Action, along with partner organizations, has warned EBRD yet in 2011 not to approve the loan to HEP for this project, after which loan was still approved in the amount of 123.2 MEUR, on condition to make further studies of biodiversity. As the EBRD has not initiated procedure of the total environmental impact assessment, Green Action, with the assistance of the European Network Bankwatch, launched a formal appeal process for EBRD projects. Greens seek to protect the basin Ombla, due to biodiversity and because it is a source of drinking water for the city of Dubrovnik. They seek to suspend the redemption of HEP and subdividing the land and preparation of the project for construction of cleaner drinking water from the EU funds.
Source; Serbia Energy See Desk
