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An American engineering firm based in Kansas is studying the feasibility of adding renewable energy generators in 27 central and eastern European countries, including countries of the former Soviet Union. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) commissioned Black & Veatch to examine the potential for wind, solar, small-to medium-sized hydroelectric projects and biomass generation. The EBRD says the countries targeted by the study are rich in both traditional and renewable resources, but are not developing them. Black & Veatch is several months into the study, which it expects to complete later this year. "Our preliminary findings are showing that many of the countries we are studying have excellent wind and other renewable energy resources for power generation," says study manager Ryan Pletka. "We believe this project will help identify projects the EBRD can finance. This also illustrates the opportunity for developers that may be interested in pursing projects in this part of the world." The firm will rank the projects and eventually develop a short list for further evaluation. The US Trade and Development Agency Evergreen Fund and the UK EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund are funding the study.