1
ESHA Governing Board Meeting 14th April 2008, 14.00 – 18.00 STARHOTEL S SPLENDIDO, Viale Andrea Doria 4. Milan, Italy Participants: Bernhard Pelikan Hugues Albanel Christer Söderberg Jacques Fonkenell Gema San Bruno Lauha Fried Ghislain Weisrock Jean-Pierre Corbet Nino Frosio Sara Gollessi Janusz Steller –TBC Marko Gospodjinacki Petras Punys Fiacc O‟brolchain
ESHA GPAE SERO HEA-E ESHA ESHA GPAE SCPTH APER APER Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery SSHA LHA IHAP
Minutes ESHA Governing Board (GB) met in Milan on the 14th April 08 and the following summarises the main points discussed during the meeting:
Opening of the meeting by Bernhard Pelikan, President of ESHA Mr Pelikan opened the GB by welcoming everyone. From the participants, Mr Cryer and Mr Steller were excused from attending the meeting while Mr Weisrock (electrabel) and Mr O‟brolchain (IHAP) were present. Bernhard Pelikan took the opportunity to introduce the new ESHA policy officer, Lauha Fried. Lauha started to working for ESHA in the end of February and she will be following and monitoring ESHA policy issues. ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
2
Mr Pigni, the APER president, also attended briefly the meeting in order to introduce himself and APER activities since the participation of APER as ESHA GB member has been recently approved and therefore their contribution to ESHA activities will be more relevant in the future. Mr Pelikan introduced the Agenda which was approved with an introduction of one new item requested by Mr Albanel who wanted to make a point about the situation of the Eel regulation in France.
Overview of ongoing activities The following current ESHA activities were summarised to the GB members: 1- Renewables Framework Directive – recent developments Lauha Fried briefly presented key developments regarding the new renewables Directive. Lauha explained that the legislative process is currently going on at the European Parliament & Council. At the moment Claude Turmes, the rapporteur at the EP, is preparing his report. This means that if there are issues related to SHP or if we would like to influence anything in the Directive text this is the right time to do it. Lauha also told about the ongoing debate on guarantees of origin. ESHA is together with EREC and member associations trying to give heavy pressure in order to safeguard national support systems. It is crucial that trade is only allowed once the interim targets are met by the Member States. The main concern is trade at company level. Even if the proposal introduces a system of prior authorisation that gives the Member States a possibility to restrict the trade, experts have confirmed that this system is legally unsure. Some members expressed their concerns about the GOs - Mr Albanel and Mr Gospodjinacki will get back to Lauha with new proposals. Other issues discussed were the importance of requirements for strong National Action Plans (NAPs) and priority access to the grid. The Member States should ensure that the NAPs include sectoral targets, detailed practical plans on how to remove barriers, how to mainstream procedures and how to organise priority access to grid. The directive together with two ESHA notes (one from Christine in January 2008, and another from Lauha at GB in Milan) have been uploaded at the members‟ area on the ESHA website.
a) Normalised Hydro Gema San Bruno introduced the topic on Normalised Hydro. Annex 2 of the RFD introduces a normalisation rule for hydropower in order to neutralise the effects of climate variations. Gema made a presentation on the rule explaining its meaning and the impacts of using such a formulation. In addition, she explained that ESHA has been in contact with Eurolectric on this issue since they are preparing an amendment to the Directive as far as the normalisation rule is concerned. This amendment is based on deeper analysis carried out by one of Euroelectric members on the potential ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
3 effects of using the calculation for Hydro. On these assumptions Euroelectric has drafted a proposal of new formulation that will be presented to the European Commission. Both documents on the analysis and the proposal have been circulated to ESHA GB members. Members were asked to express their views and give some feedback on these considerations for the SHP and to send their proposals on the normalisation rule as far as small hydro is concerned to Lauha Fried by the 23th of March. There was a vivid discussion on this issue among the members. French members suggested the idea of including a limit for small hydropower installations on the formulation. It was agreed that the current formula based on capacity is not reflecting the reality of the sector and it should be rather based on generation. There was also a consensus on the Eurelectric proposal in the sense that it does not look very feasible that the European Commission (EC) will accept it. Italian members pointed out that the current formula is beneficial for SHP showing more positive results for SHP evolution “normalised” than „not normalised”. There was a general question on why the formula has been only foresee for Hydro and not for other RES technologies and why is based on capacities and not on generation. French members underlined that it would make more sense to apply the normalisation rule to wind than to hydro.
b) Slovenian Energy Law Mr Gospodjinacki informed the GB members of the ongoing new energy law in Slovenia which include many changes affecting the whole energy sector and in particular the RES and the SHP within. The draft Energy Law proposes to change the support system in that way that it will correspond the EC's demand to take the trading of RES-E from the system operators. That will be done in such a way that the market operator (Borzen) will establish a »Support Center« which will be responsible to buy all electricity from RES by the price which will be annually announced by the government on the production costs principle (and by RE source). The Energy Agency will annually prepare the economic market predictions as a base for the govenment decission. The system remains a feed-in with the premium but the support will be granted only to »eligible producers« which will be eligible if they aquire the declaration and GO for the powerplant and produced electricity. The support will be granted to the powerplants not older than 15 years for RES. The financial support will last only until the electricity market price reaches the production costs. The transition period will be 1 year (or less) or, in case the producer has already signed a long-term contract, to 2011 – in the meantime the premium will decrease by 10% each year. There is no indication what will be the economic calculations for the production costs on which the price/premium will be calculated. The draft is in the government procedure and it is planned to be adopted not later than 26th of June (which is exactly the date to which the RES-E Directive has to be adopted as well). Gema San Bruno encouraged ESHA GB Members to follow the Slovenian example and brief ESHA about the different policy developments in each EU MS on the ongoing legislation affecting RES in general and SHP in particular.
ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
4 c) Eels Regulation in France Mr Albanel informed the GB about the situation of the European Eel Regulation application in France. This regulation is really affecting the SHP sector since the Eel management plans foreseen to be implemented will represent a 10% lost in productivity for the SHP sector. It seems that the impact of this regulation is not only affecting the sector in France but also in other EU MS like Spain, Ireland, Germany and Italy. Mr Fonkenell explained the members that there is a new turbine specially designed to tackle the eels problem and that it can actually reduce the eel mortality. Fonkenell offered to distribute a presentation of this new machine to the interested members. 2- WFD – Working Group updates a) WG on Exemptions to environmental objectives Lauha Fried started her work with ESHA with three WFD working group meetings during her first two weeks. She gave a briefing about the main points discussed in these working groups. The working group meeting on Exemptions to the environmental objectives under the WFD took place on 29 February in Brussels. This meeting focused on developing a common understanding on the application of exemptions to the environmental objectives in the Water Framework Directive. (In other words this means the cost of implementing measures to achieve the environmental objectives required in the WFD). In order to see Member States‟ examples on the assessment of disproportionate costs a workshop was organized on 10-11 April in Copenhagen. Around 20 case studies were presented including one hydropower case (Hydrological impacts due to hydropower water use on Miller Hydropower Station in Spain. Example of economic effects of alternative means). This case study demonstrates the consequences of minimal environmental flow to hydropower production, i.e. implementing WFD measures results decrease in electricity production, reduced income etc. Based on this workshop and comments from stakeholders and the Water Directors the Commission will prepare a comprehensive guidance document to help the Member States in implementing the WFD. (Lauha circulated a draft discussion paper for comments – the deadline was on 2 May).
b) WG on Ecological status Lauha Fried explained that one of the requirements of the WFD is the inter-calibration of the surface water ecological quality scales in all Member States. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure comparability of the Ecological Quality ratio (EQR) scales and to obtain common understanding of ecological status of the surface waters all over EU, in other words good ecological quality should have the same ecological meaning in every MS. The Ecostat working group facilitates information exchange among the MS during the inter-calibration process and provides guidance on technical issues. ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
5
Lauha updated the GB on the current status of the work: The results of the first phase of inter-calibration were delivered in June 2007. Some problems with the comparability of the results occurred and there is a need to improve national monitoring and assessment methods. One of the key issues is to develop and agree on more harmonized and precise procedures for setting reference conditions. An agreement on a general work program for 2008-11 to continue the inter-calibration process (second phase) has been made. A detailed work plan and schedule is currently under preparation. A large river expert meeting will be organized in autumn 2008. Lauha also pointed out the increasing importance of Climate Change related issues. The CC impacts the reference conditions and ecological boundary settings. The WFD Climate Change and Water Steering Group is working on including climate change check to the river basin management plans. A paper will be prepared for the Water Directors‟ meeting in June in Slovenia. Next WG meeting will take place on 18-19 June in Brussels. In case of further interest in these matters Lauha invited GB members to join her in the WG meetings. c) Strategic Coordination Group The Strategic Coordination Group coordinates the activities of different WFD Working Groups. Lauha informed the GB about principal issues that were discussed at the SCG meeting. The Water Directors agenda for 2008: There will be one meeting (16-17 June in Ljubljana) under the Slovenian presidency and two meetings under the French presidency (24-27 November 2008 in Strasbourg, timing for the second meeting not yet confirmed). The Commission was concerned about some legal and compliance issues in the transposition of WFD into national laws. There were major issues in the transposition in 19 Member States. Nine cases were recently launched against 9 MS: DE, DK, IE, SE, UK, HU, SI, FI and FR. A European Water Conference will be organised in March 2009 in Brussels. The main topic is the River Basin Management Planning and public participation. The update from the Climate Change and Water WG included news from DG Environment task force who are currently preparing a White Paper as a follow up to the Green Paper – the aim is to get it adopted before the end of the year. A stakeholder meeting will take place on 16 May 2008. This WG will meet again on 14-15 May in Brussels. d) WG on Floods Lauha informed the GB about Working Group on Floods which was established in 2006 in order to coordinate the implementation between the WFD and the Floods Directive. This WG underlines the important role of floods in relation to other WFD related activities. Since SHP can also play a crucial role in flood prevention ESHA will participate in the meetings – next one will take place on 16-17 April in Brussels. ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
6
3- Projects
3.1 On-going projects: Gema San Bruno introduced the latest updates on the different ESHA ongoing projects: SHERPA SHERPA fourth project meeting took place on the 14th April in Milan in the morning. The different WPs were reviewed and the planning for the future development of the project was settled. The most relevant points to inform the GB about were the approval of the Interim Reports and the funding from the EC. In addition, Gema asked Mrs Gollessi to briefly inform on the policy workshop to be organised on the 15th April in Milan in the framework of the project. Gema reminded all GB members that information on the project as well as the deliverables are available upon request. SHERPA project is running until October 08 and it is partially funded by the EACI under the IEE programme. SHAPES Gema informed the GB members about this new DG-Research funded project (FP6) that started in January 2008 and will run for two years. SHAPES stands for Small Hydro Action for the Promotion of Efficient Solutions and its goal is to facilitate and strengthen the co-operation between EU small hydropower research and market actors with the overall objective of streamlining future research and development and promote R&D results in order to enhance penetration of SHP and know-how with the EU on new markets in developing countries. At the moment the consortium is working on preparing the detailed work program, identifying a logo, setting the website and developing some marketing material (leaflet, poster, etc). Gema pointed out that some items of SHAPES will be presented at Hidroenergia08 and the second project meeting will take place there as well on the 11th June morning. RESTMAC (RES Technology Marketing Campaign) RESTMAC project, creating markets for RE technologies, is coordinated by EREC and ESHA contribution as partner covers the issue of sustainability taking as basis the IHA sustainability protocol. This project is partly funded by DG-TREN for three years. The project was supposed to be finished by May 20008 but the contract has been postponed so that the Final Conference of RESTMAC would take place under the French Presidency. Gema reminded the members that more info can be found at ESHA website and upon request. Technology at Work Technology at Work program partly funded by DG-Research under the FP6 in which ESHA collaborates as partner is getting to its end (April 08). Gema reminded the members that this project which aimed at promoting sustainable energy technologies ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue dâ€&#x;Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
7 at carbon markets with focus on EU ETS and CDM markets in Asia has been running for two years and ESHA contributed in developing CDM markets for SHP as well as in supporting communication and dissemination activities. She explained the members that one of the latest actions concerning this project has been the incorporation to the ESHA March Newsletter issue of a special edition on the project and its outcomes. In addition, ESHA organised a Workshop on “CDMs and RES projects” at the REH in Brussels on the 28th March. This event included interesting presentations from different investment companies working with CDMs and ETS trading and funding as well as the International Hydropower Association. Interventions from Mr Zimmer and Mr Corbet from ESHA were also very valuable. Representatives from the different RES associations made the event at an advantage. Presentations and the report on the workshop are available to ESHA members upon request. Building Capacities in Pakistan Gema San Bruno informed the members that this project is still running due to an extension of the contract justified by the political situation in Pakistan what makes the implementation of the project very difficult. One of the major contributions of ESHA as partners is the participation as expert trainer and lecturer in a seminar organised in Pakistan in April 08 to cover the financial and technical aspects of developing SHP projects. In principle, Mr Frosio was identified as the expert for this seminar but unfortunately the small hydro section of the seminar has been removed because they considered that there is enough technical capacity amongst the hydro companies in Pakistan. Gema pointed out that she would try to find out more reasons and how this action is going to affect the planned ESHA contribution to the project.
3.2 New Projects: Gema San Bruno informed the ESHA GB members that at the moment there are three European projects in negotiation with the European Commission in order to be awarded and in which ESHA is participating as partner. Gema circulated a paper to the members summarizing the most relevant information about these projects. HydroAction Hydroaction stands for “Advance Optimization Procedure for the Design of Small Hydro Trubines. Assessment and Validation through Lab Testing”. Gema explained that this project is partly funded by DG-Research under the FP7 programme and that its main action is to develop a methodology in order to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of small hydro turbines. The generic methodology will be tested and validated on Pelton, Turgo and Matrix turbines and it is orientated to tailor-made design. The project is coordinated by NTUA (Technical University of Athens) and it will run for three years. ESHA participation includes the support in data collection and economic analysis of the new methodology as well as the coordination of the dissemination and awareness activities. Other partners of the consortium are VATEC CH, WIP from Germany, VATEC AT, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Ecole Centrale de Lyon and TH2E (Techniques Hydro Electrique). ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
8
RURAL-RES Gema explained that RURAL-RES is a project partly funded by the EACI trough the IEE program. This project concentrates on the promotion of the use of renewable energy small scale systems in mountain territories and it is coordinated by the Diputación de Huelva in Spain (County Council of Huelva). ESHA participation in the project includes basically the coverage of the small hydropower sector since the project in concentrated in promoting good practices in the uses of small scale renewable energy systems of mini-hydro and wind power in mountain areas. The project will run for two years and the consortium includes Energikontor Sydest from Sweden, the Energy Centre of Western Thessaly from Greece, the Association of North Bohemian Municipalities from the Czech Republic, AGENA from Italy and Sun Valley from Rumania. CHOICE CHOICE project stands for Certification for Hydro: Improving Clean Energy. This project is partly funded by the EACI under the IEE programme and it will run for two years. It is coordinated by Ambiente Italia and other partners in the consortium include CIRF (Italian Centre for River Restoration), WWF Italy, APER from Italy, Studio Frosio from Italy, LIMNOS Company for applied ecology from Slovenia, HSE from Slovenia, Institute for promotion environmental protection from Slovenia, the Slovenian Small Hydropower Association, CLER from France and The Technical University of Madrid from Spain. Since the objective of the project is to develop a technically and economically feasible certification procedure for hydro power, ESHA participation is covering several working packages dealing with the methodology and its implementation. In addition, ESHA is coordinating together with WWF the preparation of a policy document. Gema reminded the members that ESHA represents the interest of its members and therefore ESHA participation in any project means the active participation of its members as well according to their knowledge, expertise, will and preferences. In this respect, Mr. Albanel from France showed their interest in collaborating actively within the CHOICE project.
3.3 New project ideas: Gema San Bruno informed the members about future plans for EU funded projects and she pointed out that at the moment a new call for proposals has been launched by the European Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI). EACI: New call for proposals Gema made firstly a presentation to the members on the new framework program from the EACI (CIP programme) and the new call within this framework. The presentation was introduced together with a more detailed paper summarising the guidelines about the priorities and the procedures of the new call for proposals. Both ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
9 documents were distributed to the members. In addition, Gema prepared a paper to be discussed with the Members where some ideas for proposals were introduced and explained. The current call is open until 26th of June and the granted amount will cover up to 75% of the total eligible cost. The total budget is 44€M. ESHA has identified four major areas where a proposal could be submitted: SHP roadmap, sustainable hydro for Europe, SHP public image and removing administrative and environmental barriers. Gema pointed out that even if the four identifiedy fields are very important for the SHP sector at the moment, ESHA will only present one proposal. Therefore, she encouraged the members to take these initiatives aboard and prepare their own proposals as well. Gema described the “potential” ground, funding, impact, description, deliverables, partners, duration and budget of each proposal. After a discussion with members it looked like the proposal for a SHP roadmap seems the most relevant at the moment. Therefore, Gema will start working in making the potential proposal real and will be back to the members for their contribution.
4- Collaboration with industry Bernhard Pelikan informed the members of the new cooperation and representation agreement signed between ESHA and HEA-E. This formal collaboration has been concluded for a trail period of two years. Some of the several points of collaboration include the HEA-E representation in the ESHA Board through its SG, Mr Corbet; and the presence of ESHA president in the HEA-E Board meetings. Mr Corbet explained the members the nature and goals of this collaboration.
5- Participation in events Bernard reported the members the different events in which he took place as ESHA President. (Please Bernard can you mention the most relevant?) Gema San Bruno briefly introduced the main outcomes of the European Sustainable Energy Week which took place end of January 08 in Brussels and where ESHA material was distributed. ESHA participated in the EREC Policy Workshop held during the events. Mr Pelikan participated as speaker representing the SHP sector.
6- Update on Hidroenergia 2008, Bled, Slovenia Marko Gospodjinacki updated the GB on the latest developments of Hidroenergia08 organisation. Marko explained the GB that the program has been finalised and that the early bird registration was lunched. In addition he reported the situation as far as sponsors and exhibitors are concerned and explained other logistic issues like the Gala Dinner, transfers from/to the airport, etc.
ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
10 Marko pointed out that for the closing session would like to have an interesting participative event including some media coverage (press) and would like to have the feedback from the GB members. He reminded the Members as well to promote the event trough the different network facilities like the websites, members, etc 7- Collaboration, communication and marketing activities ARE Gema San Bruno explained that ESHA is member of ARE (Alliance for Rural Electrification) and that we collaborate with each other on a permanent basis. Nevertheless, this collaboration has strengthen in the latest months due to different reasons like the ARE intervention at the ESHA workshop on CDMs and RES projects, where Mrs Llamas (ARE Secretary General) pointed out the relevance of the small hydropower in developing countries like one of the most feasible ways to deliver energy and the CDMs mechanisms as the tool to finance the projects. Gema pointed out that ESHA even if covering only the European Union should work together with ARE in order to develop more SHP projects around the world especially in those places where the energy is needed the most. She communicated the members that ESHA contributed to the Editorial of the latest ARE Newsletter and that ESHA was invited as representative of the SHP industry to a workshop on investment opportunities in developing countries to be held in Brussels on the 23th April 08. Eurelectric Gema San Bruno explained the GB that the contacts with Eurelectric have been reactivated. ESHA has been collaborating with Eurelectric on the Water Framework Directive working groups at the Commission since both are representing the interests of the hydro sector as a whole. Nevertheless, since Eurelectric represents the electricity industry in the European Union and has a strong lobby pressure in Brussels, there is potential scope for further cooperation as regards several issues. In this respect, Gema San Bruno and Bernhard Pelikan were invited to the 18th WG Hydro meeting in Brussels held on March 11th, 2008. Gema pointed out that the collaboration would be very fruitful since they are working very deeply in issues like the Water Framework Directive, RES-E Directive and the EU Climate Package. In return, Eurelectric is very interested on ESHA works on environmental integration, public image and European projects. Even if Eurelectric represents in general the big hydro producers an interest was shown about HEA-E ESHA group and the possibility of becoming ESHA members. Gema explained that at the moment both associations are envisaging the way of cooperating in a more formal way and she reminded that the minutes of this meeting are available to GB Members upon request. International Hydropower Association Gema San Bruno reported to the GB Members that due to the ESHA workshop on CDMs and RES projects where the IHA was invited as speakers an informal meeting between ESHA & the IHA took place after the workshop on the 28th Mach 08. Mr Corbet, Mr. Zimmer, Mrs Fried and Mrs San Bruno were present at the meeting from ESHA side and Mr Fink from the IHA. Gema pointed out that starting collaboration ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue dâ€&#x;Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
11 with the IHA could be beneficial for ESHA especially as regards sustainability. The IHA has settled sustainability criteria for hydropower protocol including different working groups and forums for meetings and discussions. ESHA has asked the IHA to be part of this protocol in order to follow-up the outcomes of the different working groups and be able to attend the forums. The IHA showed their interest in ESHA lobby activities in the EU and the work done with European projects and would like to collaborate with ESHA in that respect. Gema explained that at the moment both associations are envisaging the way of further collaboration. Mrs Fried also pointed out that the IHA had an especial interest of following-up closer developments in EU policy as far as RES and hydro issues are concerned. They were also interested in learning more about EU-funding. Media Gema San Bruno just briefly reported that ESHA continues its contacts with the Media and several articles have been published in different magazines including the promotion of Hidroenergia. European Environmentergy Agency Gema San Bruno explained that the European Energy Agency (EEA) visited the REH in order to have a meeting with all RES technologies. The aim of the meeting was to collect information and points of view of the environmental dimension as far as RES are concerned; how some RES technologies are affecting the environment (like hydropower) but also how the environmental constrains are affecting the development of RES technologies. These issues are going to be presented in a publication that the EEA is currently preparing and that will be published by the end of the year. The EEA will collect the inputs from the different RES and the publication will include a chapter per technology. In this respect, Gema explained that this meeting was very important in the case of SHP since hydropower is the only RES technology that is experimenting the environmental dimension in both senses; who to reduce the impact on the environment and how these constrains are slowing down the SHP development at the same time. Gema explained the GB that together with Lauha they are working on the contributions to the publication. Greenpeace Lauha Fried updated the GB about collaboration between Greenpeace and EREC within “energy [r]evolution a sustainable world energy outlook” –publication. There will be an updated version of this publication for 2008 – ESHA edited some figures and text regarding hydropower.
8- Other Issues Mr Pelikan launched a new initiative of creating a second ESHA office in the Balkans due to the enormous SHP potential for investment in this area. Bernhard explained that he is being in direct contact with some projects in Macedonia, Bosnia and Albania and that there is a booming market with a lot of opportunities for small hydro ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be
12 and therefore to settle a centre to follow-up and monitor these activities closer would make sense. After a round of discussion among ESHA GB members no conclusion was reached but there was an initiative that a kind of information office like an ESHA contact for the Balkans could be establish in Bucharest (Romania) since the Romanians are in the process of creating a new SHP association and are in close contact with Mr Pelikan. No more issues were discussed and Mr Pelikan closed the meeting by thanking everyone for its participation and contribution to the meeting and by reminding the Members that next GB meeting would take place in Bled, Slovenia on the 11th June afternoon in the context of the Hidroenergia08 Conference.
ESHA Secretariat April 08 – Brussels Belgium
ESHA – European Small Hydropwer Association Renewable Energy House, Rue d‟Arlon 63-65, B - 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32.2.546.19.45 Fax: +32.2.546.19.47, e-mail: info@esha.be