The Balkans: In need of a jolt

Problems including war-damaged infrastructure, unrealistic power prices and insufficient investment trouble southeast Europe. Although the EU is helping the region, will it be able to avoid a looming electricity crisis?
Nicholas Newman http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Freelance-Journalist.html

Southeast Europe is struggling to keep the lights on. Since January 2007, the region has experienced a worsening power supply situation that threatens to reverse many of the economic, social and environmental improvements it has achieved since the end of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s.
In January 2009, the region nearly experienced a system-wide blackout because of the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. It helped that the demand for power was lower than usual at the time due to the economic slowdown and the winter holidays, but even when the situation is less difficult, problems can occur.

Damage and disruption

Even without the damage and disruption caused by the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s, the region’s power sector would have been in need of substantial new investment and reform. Up to the end of the 1990s, energy decision-makers appeared to have little concern for the economical production and use of electricity. http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/print/volume-18/issue-5/features/the-balkans-in-need-of-a-jolt.html