Albania

TAP and ICGB sign MOU on technical co-operation – (Energy Global) The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) and Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (ICGB) – the company in charge of the development, financing and construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Co-operation aimed at establishing the technical co-operation in order to further develop strategic infrastructure in the region…

European Energy Security and the Quiet Close to the Pipeline Opera – (Oil Price) In June, representatives from the Azerbaijan-based consortium, Shah Deniz II, approved the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) over the U.S.-backed Nabucco West proposal. The 870-kilometer TAP will connect with the previously-approved Trans-Anatolian pipeline (TANAP), crossing Greece, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea to deliver 10 billion cubic meters (extendable to 20 billion cubic meters) of Azerbaijani natural gas to Italy, and subsequently, the European Union…

Albania brands power pylon blast a "terrorist act" – (Reuters) Albania's interior ministry said on Thursday an explosion that damaged a power pylon was a "terrorist act" apparently prompted by anger over higher fuel prices and taxes…

 

 Bulgaria 

Bulgaria with record share of green energy – (Focus) The share of renewable energy in Bulgaria reached 17.7% from gross consumption in 2012, a statistics of EurObserv'ER Barometer - a project with the support of the European Commission (EC)’s Energy DG - shows, as cited by the Monitor and Capital dailies…

Bulgarian regulator begins audit of electricity distribution firms – (The Sofia Globe) Bulgaria’s State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) said on January 6 that it started an audit of the three private electricity distribution companies and Sofia city hall-owned heating utility Toplofikatsia…

Bulgaria’s energy watchdog begins audit of EDCs and Sofia central heating utility – (Focus) Bulgarian State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) began audits of and checks at the three electricity distribution companies - CEZ, EVN and Energo Pro - and in Toplofikatsia Sofia [Sofia's central heating utility], the press centre of the SEWRC informed…

Price Reduction of Electricity in Bulgaria from 1 January 2014 Not Beneficial for Final Customer – (Energetika) “The analysis recommends measures to be taken for investment in order to reduce the cost of the technology expenses. Targeted investments must be made. The effect of the price reduction will be the opposite…

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP to Operate 20 More Years - French-Russian Tie-in – (Novinite) The exploitation of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP units 5 and 6 may be extended by 20 years, according to the French-Russian consortium assigned with the units’ assessment…

Azeri gas to reach Bulgaria through interconnector– (EurActiv) The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) and the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (ICGB) have signed an agreement laying the foundations for linking the two projects and thus bringing gas from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, a country that depends on Russia for almost 100% of its gas imports…

Caspian gas also to Bulgaria – (Energetika) TAP and Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria will work together on realising a possible interconnection point in the vicinity of Komotini, Greece. This will enable new gas supplies to flow into the Bulgarian gas…

Electricity price cut in Bulgaria puts energy sector in state of decapitalisation: expert– (Focus) “Electricity price cut in Bulgaria puts the energy sector in a state of decapitalisation, i.e. all companies working along the chain face a difficult financial situation and cannot realise their planned repairs and investments,” said energy expert Ivan Hinovski…

CEZ to Sue Bulgarian Regulator for Power Price Cut – (Novinite) Czech electricity utility CEZ has announced intentions to sue Bulgaria's state energy regulatory agency for imposing power price cuts effective as of January 1, 2014…

Bulgarian Energy Regulator Starts Audits in CEZ, EVN, and Energo-Pro – (Energetika) The audit is due to the multiple signals from individuals and organisations for anomalies by distribution companies, CEZ, EVN, and Energo-Pro, which have been filed so far at SEWRC…

SEWRC approves changes in the electricity prices for CEZ DISTRIBUTION BULGARIA – (Focus) Zetra local writes that with Decision № C-43/30.12.2013 the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission approved the following changes in the prices determined by Decision №C-29.07.2013 for "CEZ DISTRIBUTION BULGARIA" AD as of 30.12.2013…

Snapshot of Romania's Natural Gas Market – (Balkans) Designed to become partially operational in the first quarter of 2016 and fully operational in 2018, the South Stream natural gas pipeline will connect the Russian Black Sea coast to the Bulgarian one by crossing Turkey’s territorial Black Sea waters, while also crossing Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary, Greece, Slovakia, Croatia and Austria…

EU energy security and a zero-carbon power sector in jeopardy without 2030 climate and renewable energy targets – (Balkans) The European Commission's "EU Energy, Transport and GHG Emissions Trends to 2050" , published on the Commission's website during the Christmas holiday, shows that on the basis of current policies the EU will fail to meet its 2050 commitment of 80% to 95% greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions…

 Bosnia and Herzegovina

TAP and Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria sign Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation – (Turkish Weekly) The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) and Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (ICGB) – the company in charge of the development, financing and construction the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MOUC) aimed at establishing the technical cooperation in order to further develop strategic infrastructure in the region…

TAP, Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria sign MoU – (AzerNews) TAP's routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP's landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria…

 Croatia

School in Croatia crowdfunding its way to energy independence– (altenergymag) One primary school in Croatia has an ambitious plan to become one of the first energy independent schools in the world. Its first step towards that goal is to gather the funds for the PV system on the roof through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo…

Energy cooperative aims to install PV array on local Croatian school– (Renewable Energy Magazine) UNDP Croatia in association with Energy Cooperative Kaštela is appealing for individuals and businesses around the world to become involved with its crowdfunding project launched on the cooperative’s Indiegogo project page…

Europe strengthens its carbon market for a competitive low-carbon economy – (Europa.eu) The European Commission welcomes today's vote by EU governments gathered in the Climate Change Committee to postpone the sale of 900 million carbon allowances in the 3rd phase of the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) which runs up to 2020…

 Kosovo

Kosovo government to sell PTK in next three months – (Telecommpaper) The Kosovo Government plans to complete the privatisation of the Post and Telecom of Kosovo (PTK) in the next three months, without the consent of parliament, writes Koha Ditore. The paper states that it got the information from the government's working plan for this year. The Ministry of Economic Development plans to introduce a monitoring process this year after the privatisation of the companies for distribution and supply of electricity and the sale of 75 percent of the shares in PTK…

Kosovo’s Q3 power output rises 19.3% y/y – (SeeNews Renewables) Kosovo's power plants generated 1,370 gigawatthours (GWh) of electricity in the third quarter of the year, up 19.3% from the third quarter of 2012, the Kosovo statistics agency said…

 Macedonia

FYR Macedonia: Increases energy consumption in 2014 – (SEE Market News) Macedonia will spend 4.4 percent more energy in 2014 compared to last year. A rise in consumption is projected in all types of energy and energy resources.  The largest rise is expected in natural gas by 38.8 percent and geo-thermal energy by 17.5 percent…

South Stream pipeline leg to Macedonia underway – Bacevic – (InSerbia) Serbian Minister of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning Milan Bacevic announced the signing of the contract on draft spatial plan for the southern section of the South Stream pipeline set to supply gas from Serbia to Macedonian consumers…

Serbia: South Stream Pipeline Leg To Macedonia Underway – (SEE Market News) Serbian Minister of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning Milan Bacevic announced the signing of the contract on draft spatial plan for the southern section of the South Stream pipeline set to supply gas from Serbia to Macedonian consumers…

Gazprom OAO : Russia, Serbia agree on South Stream pipeline leg to Macedonia – (4-Traders) Serbian minister of natural resources, mining and spatial planning Milan Bacevic said that representatives of his ministry, the Russian government and Gazprom have agreed on a spatial plan concept of a South Stream natural gas pipeline branch to Macedonia, Tanjug news agency reported…

 Montenegro

Montenegro: The risk of new taxes, levies or tariff controls on the European utilities sector will increase – (SEE Market News) The risk of new taxes, levies or tariff controls on the European utilities sector will increase in 2014 as rising bills stretch affordability for end-users, Fitch Ratings says…

EPCG expected to report about 25 million Euros in 2013 profit – (Energetika) According to Kovačević, EPCG had to deal with a very complex corporate and financial environment in the past two years. During that period, the company accumulated a large part of its debt totaling…

 Romania

Regulatory authority accredits 40 solar farms, a wind farm, two micro-hydroelectric stations at 2013 last meeting – (Renewablesbiz) The National Energy Regulatory Authority's regulatory committee accredited 40 photovoltaic projects at its last 2013 meeting held on Dec. 30, for which it received green certificates, according to a document posted on the body's website.  Besides the solar farms also accredited were two micro-hydroelectric stations and a wind farm…

Lukoil, awarded a permit by Romanian energy regulator ANRE to build a solar installation locally – (Balkans) Lukoil Energy&Gas Romania, a subsidiary of Russian oil major Lukoil, was awarded a permit by energy regulator ANRE to build a solar installation locally, reports Mediafax newswire…

Lukoil tackles photovoltaic business in Romania – (The Diplomat) The PV park will be built within Petrotel-Lukoil refinery in Ploiesti as the company representatives previously stated that the future parks could have an installed capacity to 12 MW…

Unisun Announces Grid Connection for 19.59MW PV Project in Romania – (PRNewswire) Wuxi, China-based Unisun announced that three photovoltaic (PV) power plants with a total installed capacity of 19.59MW, in which the company has invested and for which the company is acting as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, were successfully connected to the grid and have received six green certificates. The Dej, Setra and Clue plants have installed capacities of 5.98MW, 6.4MW and 7.14MW respectively…

Romania’s nuclear power company Nuclearelectrica plans to produce 10.5 mln MWh of electricity in 2014 – (Romania-Insider) Romanian state-owned company Nuclearelectrica, which runs the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, plans to produce a total of 10.5 million MWh of electricity in 2014…

Romania: So near and yet so far – (The Lawyer) Romania is one of the most resource-rich countries in Europe, with huge potential. At present it relies heavily on imports of energy but nurtures a shale gas dream of becoming energy independent in the next few years…

President Basescu requests re-examination of order on energy production from renewable sources – (ACT Media) President Basescu sent the law approving the government order establishing the promotion of energy production from renewable sources, which he considers inopportune…

Romania: reduction in support for renewables – (ACC) Support for renewable energy is being reduced by the Government, along with reductions in the number of green certificates.  Parliament has now approved the measure, originally introduced on 1 July by emergency ordinance, which follows similar measures implemented in other EU member states…

Energy Policy – Europe takes power – (Financial Times) Is energy policy made in Brussels ? The obvious answer would be no. The EU may have an energy commissioner but he has little real authority. Energy policy is still under the control of individual national governments and as a result there are 28 very different approaches and outcomes…

Romania gas prices up in 2014- electricity prices stable – (Balkans) Starting January 1, 2014, the price of gas has grown by 1 percent for the Romanian population and by 2 percent for the industry, as part of the process of liberalization of the natural gas market, as announced by Niculae Havrilet, president of the National Authority for Energy Regulation (ANRE), quoted by Agerpres newswire…

The State of the Solar Industry in 2014 – (VUS Today) 2013 was a strong year for many sectors of the solar industry. Buoyed by renewable energy policies and financial support, many new markets emerged including the Dominican Republic, Brazil, South Africa, Romania and Thailand…

 Serbia

Serbia finally opens up market for medium-voltage consumers – (Energetika) The right to choose their energy supplier was now given to 27 large industrial consumers, and 3,200 companies and institutions.“In 2014, we will surely have power supplied by EPS; later on…

Yingli Green Energy supplies 1 MW of solar panels to Serbia's second largest solar project – (CIOL) The 1 MW project is located in the municipality of Kladovo, 250 kilometers east of Belgrade, the Serbian capital, and is the largest ground-mounted solar PV installation in Serbia funded by a domestic investor…

Yingli Green Energy supplies solar panels to Serbia's 2nd largest solar project– (Renewable Energy Magazine) The project is located in the municipality of Kladovo, 250 kilometers east of Belgrade, the Serbian capital, and is the largest ground-mounted solar PV installation in Serbia funded by a domestic investor...

Yingli Supplies 1MW of PV Modules to Serbia's 2nd Largest Solar Project – (Solar Novus Today) Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited today announced that the company has supplied 1MW of multicrystalline PV modules to Serbia's 2nd largest solar project…

Serbia plans to increase electricity production from renewable sources – (Balkans) The Serbian government adopted at its session the Proposal of the Serbian Energy Development Strategy to 2025, with projections to 2030. The new strategy envisages increasing electricity production from renewable sources, reduction of emission of gases and increase of energy efficiency…

More electricity from renewables by 2025 – Serbian Government – (inSerbia) The government adopted on Friday a draft strategy for Serbia’s energy sector development by 2025, with projections by 2030, which envisages a rise in the amount of electricity generated by renewable sources…

Serbia plans new thermal power plant in Kostolac – (Balkans) The construction of a new thermal power plant is planned in Kostolac Serbia, with the 350 MW of power, and the realization of the projects is expected to begin this year, director of the thermal power plant and strip mine “Kostolac” Dragan Jovanovic told the RTS…

Serbian government adopts Energy Development Strategy to 2025 – (Balkans) The Serbian government adopted at its session today the Proposal of the Serbian Energy Development Strategy to 2025, with projections to 2030...

 Armenia

Armenian “economic miracle” 2013 – (Vestnik) 2013 was non-profitable for the Armenian economy. The most important goals were not achieved; economic growth ratio forecast in the budget (6.2%) appeared to be only 4.4%. According to some experts, in fact the GDP growth was only 2.5% by the end of the year…

Heat emission of Armenia’s gas should be measured in real time – ruling party MP – (News.am) The heat emission of the Russian natural gas entering Armenia should be measured in real time. Ruling Republican Party (RPA) MP Vardan Ayvazyan, who is also Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, told the abovementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am…

Electric Networks of Armenia introduces pilot program – (News.am) Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC has introduced a pilot program on calculating the electricity consumption. But Company Director General Yevgeny Bibin told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the respective calculation instrument is not yet available for a large cross-section of the population…

Yerevan Combined-Cycle Thermal Power Plant, Armenia – (Power Technology) Yeravan Combined-Cycle Thermal Power Plant, located 10km south from Yeravan, the capital city of Armenia…

 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan provides nearly 84 percent of Georgia’s natural gas imports – (Trend) Georgia imported around 1.2 billion tons in oil equivalent, of natural gas worth of $207.44 million in Jan.-Nov. 2013, GruzStat, the National Statistical Service of Georgia said in its report…

Azerbaijan increased electricity generation in 2013 – (Trend) In 2013, Azerenergy JSC (production and distribution of electricity in Azerbaijan) generated more than 21.5 billion kilowatt/hours of electricity compared to about 21.3 billion kilowatt/hours over the same period in 2012, according to a statement released by Azerenergy on Jan.8…

Gas consumption drops in Azerbaijan – (Trend) As of January 8, 2013, the daily volume of gas supplied to the Azerbaijani population was 26 million cubic meters compared to 28 million cubic meters…

The use of alternative energy sources grows in Azerbaijan – (News AZ) Quoting Azerbaijan`s State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources, the article says Azerbaijan plans to build three wind power plants by 2015…

Azerbaijan’s power generation grew by 0.9% in 2013 – (ABC.AZ) Azerbaijani national energy producer Azerenerji OJSC increased generating power by 22.2% in December against November 2013. The last year’s power generation index exceeded by 0.9% the figure for 2012 when rise was 6.5%...

John Kerry Congratulates Ilham Aliyev on Signing of Natural Gas Agreement – (Azeri Report) The  U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, congratulated Ilham Aliyev  on the  occasion of an investment decision on the development of the natural gas field "Shah Deniz -2...

Azerbaijan ups power generation – (AzerNews) In 2013, Azerenergy JSC (production and distribution of electricity in Azerbaijan) generated more than 21.5 billion kilowatt/hours of electricity compared to about 21.3 billion kilowatt/hours over the same period in 2012, according to a statement released by Azerenergy on Jan.8…

 Georgia

Tethys to acquire stake in Georgian project – (EBR) Tethys Petroleum announced that it has secured Georgian governmental consent to acquire a 56% interest in blocks XIA, XIM and XIN (project Iberia) in eastern Georgia…

Estonia's richest man announces Georgian hydropower investment – (ShanghaiDaily) Estonia's richest man Oleg Ossinovski has announced a 200-million-U.S. dollar hydropower investment in the hydropower-enriched country of Georgia, local newspapers reported Tuesday…

Azerbaijan secures 27.8% of Georgia’s oil imports – (MediTelegraph) Georgia imported 27.8 percent of its needed oil products from Azerbaijan in January-November 2013, the Georgian National Statistics Office reported…

Azerbaijan secures 27.8% of Georgia’s oil imports – (Bunker Ports News) Georgia imported 27.8 percent of its needed oil products from Azerbaijan in January-November 2013, the Georgian National Statistics Office reported.  In total, about $841.2 million worth oil products were imported by Georgia in the mentioned period of time…

Georgia to begin commercial electricity flows to Turkey at month-end – (ICIS) Commercial flows from Turkey to Georgia are expected to start after 24 January, with companies asked to register their interest in capacity to the Georgian grid operator by Friday, 10 January, ICIS has learnt…

 Moldova

Works on Iasi-Ungheni gas pipe completed – (ACT Media) The main works in Romania for the gas pipe between Romania and Moldova on the Iasi-Ungheni route were completed, a press release of the National Agency for Mineral Resources shows.“The consortium made of Habau PPs Pipeline Systems – INSPET-IPM- Partners Romania observed the established agenda and concluded the main works in Romania for Iasi-Ungheni gas pipe,” according to ANRM…

 Russia

RusHydro commissions eighth unit at Boguchanskaya hydropower plant in Russia – (EBR) RusHydro has commissioned and started commercial operations of the eighth unit at the Boguchanskaya hydropower plant in Russia…

ROSATOM to get US$ 2.4 Billion from Govt. for Nuclear Industry Growth – (Energy Bangla) Russian Govt. has allocated a fund US$ 2.4 billion to state energy corporation – ROSATOM, as 'in-kind' contributions for the growth of nuclear industry. Out of the amount US$ 680 Million will be used as subsidy for constructing nuclear power plants abroad. Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a directive in this regard recently…

Gazprom Top Pick to Bernstein for 2014: Russia Overnight – (Bloomberg) OAO Gazprom (OGZD)’s biggest drop in six months is a buying opportunity after the world’s biggest producer of natural gas increased exports to Europe to a record last year, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. said…

Exxon Russia Ambitions Show Oil Trumps Obama-Putin Spats: Energy– (Bloomberg Businessweek) As Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin argue over human rights in Russia and the fate of fugitive U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden, the countries’ biggest oil companies are preparing to drill for giant discoveries together in the Arctic Ocean…

Solar energy to become the main investment target in Russia's renewable energy market  -(PV Magazine) The solar industry will be the main focus of investment in the renewable energy market of Russia and the CIS region…

 Turkey

Turkey eyeing one-third renewable energy target for 2023 – (PV Magazine) Turkey's energy minister Taner Yildiz has announced that the country is on course to achieve its target of sourcing one-third of its power needs from renewable energy by 2023…

EBRD energy investments in Turkey top €1.5 billion – (Climate Action) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is continuing to support the efforts of Turkish businesses to become more energy efficient, through a new €50 million financing package to Türkiye İşBankası (İşBank)…

Turkey's nuclear energy plant NPP should get approval by June – (Balkans) Turkey’s second nuclear power plant (NPP) project to be built by a Japanese-led consortium will get parliamentary approval by June, according to Turkey’s Minister of Energy, Taner Yildiz…

Falling Turkish lira ‘to affect’ energy prices – (Daily News) The weakening of the Turkish Lira might lead to energy prices rising and funding problems in power generation privatizations, the head of Turkey’s energy market watchdog has said…

Ankara ‘adds’ uranium clause in nuclear deal with Tokyo – (Daily News) Ankara demanded allowance for uranium enrichment and plutonium extraction in a nuclear export deal inked with Tokyo, a Japanese daily quoted as a Japanese Foreign Ministry official as saying…

Turkey's energy cooperation with Iraq 'uninterrupted' - (World Bulletin) Energy cooperation with the central government in Iraq is progressing as planned, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) Director General Besim Sisman said on Wednesday…

Urgent rethink needed on Japan-Turkey nuclear energy pact – (The Asahi Shimbu) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Jan. 7 with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and confirmed that Japan would export its nuclear reactor technology to Turkey…

Turkey's Strategic Importance In World Energy Corridor – (Mondaq) We did publish an article with the same title in 2011. In that article we mentioned several topics and made some strategic evaluations. Since then time has proved that our evaluations were relevant…

 Ukraine                                                                                                                                                     

Year in review - Ukraine's fuel and energy sector: forward to the past? – (Kyiv Post) The life of Ukraine's fuel and energy complex in 2013 was full of ups and downs, but after December 17 all these events seem secondary…

Law on energy market liberalization comes into force in Ukraine – (Forum) The Law "On principles of the electricity market operation if Ukraine", implying liberalization of the wholesale electricity market of the country, came into force on 1 January 2014...

Yanukovych wipes feet on energy independence of Ukraine – (ZIK) Summing up Ukraine’s track record in 2013, Mykhailo Honchar, NOMOS energy programs director, said, “What had been done to make Ukraine less dependent on Russia for energy was destroyed by cabinet’s two glaring mistakes: the failure to sign the association agreement with the European Union and the so-called Moscow deal…

Ukraine suspends gas imports from Europe after Russia's Gazprom cuts price – (NRCU) Last year, Ukraine imported nearly 2 billion cu m of natural gas from Poland and Hungary. Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky said in late December that this year, considering the lower price, Ukraine would import at least 30 billion cu m of natural gas to meet domestic demand…

Ukraine stops buying European gas since January 1 – (forUm) Since January 1, 2014, Ukraine has not purchased gas in the European markets, according to the operational data of operators of the gas transmission systems of Hungary and Poland...

Ukraine's Electricity Market Reform: New Market, New Rules – (LINEX) On 24 October 2013 Verkhovna Rada adopted Law of Ukraine No. 663 “On Basic Principles of the Electricity Market Functioning” (the Electricity Market Law)…

Turboatom to ship runner for Kanevskaya hydro plant in Ukraine – (EBR) Turboatom has tested the runner of hydroturbine to be destined for station nine at the Kanevskaya hydro power project in Ukraine. The unit is likely to be operational in the first quarter of 2014…Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator) project. The nuclear reactor is planned to be functional in 2025 and its construction…

 

 

This program is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the United States Energy Association and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.