September 20-27, 2014       USAID/USEA Southeast Europe Distribution System Operator (DSO) Security of Supply Study Tour to the U.S. Columbus, OH; Houston, TX; and Washington, DC 

 

Albania 

Albania, U.S. to develop new dimension of cooperation- (Shanghai Daily) Tirana, July 14—U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama agreed Sunday on the need for a new dimension of cooperation… 

Bulgaria  

CEZ Bulgaria 1^st power company to win energy saving certificate- (Focus) Sofia. CEZ Electro Bulgaria AD became the first electricity trader in Bulgaria to be awarded Energy Saving Certificate by the Sustainable Energy Development Agency, the press office of the company announced…

Bulgaria ‘Might be Forced’ to Make Amendments on South Stream- PM- (Novinite) "The South Stream [gas pipeline] is not a Bulgarian project, and the whole project does not depend on us," Bulgaria's Prime Minister wrote on Facebook…

Bulgaria complies with all E.C. recommendations in its energy sector- FinMin- (Balkans) During the GERD government, the entire funds of the energy companies were concentrated in CCB, said the Minister of Economy and Energy Dragomir Stoynev in "120 minutes" on BTV…

Bulgaria Energy Minister to meet with Commissioner Oettinger- (Focus) Sofia. Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy, Dragomir Stoynev, is taking part in an energy conference themed dedicated to the security of natural gas supplies and the role of the development in the field of natural gas in the Mediterranean region in St. Julian's, Malta, the press centre of the Ministry of Economy and Energy announced…

Violent storm hits Bulgaria’s Lovech, leaves 11 villages without electricity- (Sofia Globe) In the latest blow from heavy weather in Bulgaria this summer, a violent storm broke over the town of Lovech on July 10, bringing a barrage of rain and hail and leaving 11 villages without power…

Bulgarian Regulator Approves New Gas Network Access, Transport Pricing- (Publics.bg) The Bulgarian State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) approved on Tuesday a new pricing methodology for access and gas transportation via the network of the state-owned operator Bulgartransgaz EAD…

Is This the End to Command Economy in the Energy Sector?- (Publics.bg) Over a year ago, the interim government of Bulgaria received the analyses of the World Bank and the European Commission regarding the Bulgarian energy sector…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Donors plege 1.8 bln euros for flood-stricken Balkan states- (Trust) BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) - A conference of international donors pledged more than 1.8 billion euros ($2.43 billion) on Wednesday to help Bosnia and Serbia recover from devastating floods in May…

Croatia 

Croatia could become regional energy hub- senior U.S. official- (Reuters) Croatia can play a vital role in ensuring regional energy security by diversifying supply options for European countries and allowing them to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said… 

US diplomat says Croatia must make smart decisions in energy sector- (Dalje) Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, who attended Croatia Forum in Dubrovnik, reiterated on Friday that Croatia was "a fantastic ally" with which the United States closely cooperated in regional, trans-Atlantic and European issues, including Ukraine, adding that cooperation was growing in the energy security as well…

Croatian ambassador: Croatia ready to build South Stream extension, but not a priority- (Kyiv Post) Moscow - Croatia is interested in building an extension from the South Stream gas pipeline, but it is not priority energy project, Croatian Ambassador to Russian Igor Pokaz said in Moscow…

Greenpeace says Croatia fails to unlock its renewables potential- (Dalje) Rainbow Warrior, a purpose-built motor-assisted sailing yacht owned and operated by Greenpeace, on Tuesday sailed into the biggest Croatian coastal city of Split where Greenpeace activists warned about Croatia's under-performance in the use of renewables…

Infrastructure projects vital for Croatia, president says- (Dalje) The infrastructure projects that were discussed at the Brdo-Brijuni conference in Dubrovnik on Tuesday are mega prjects of outstanding importance for Croatia, but also for the countries in Europe’s southeast and European Union, and their pace depends on political decisions, funds, and the political situation in the region’s countries, Croatian Presidnet Ivo Josipovic said on Wednesday…

Montenegro

Montenegro’s Cabinet approves Energy Development Strategy by 2030- (Balkans) Montenegro’s Cabinet endorsed the Energy Development Strategy by 2030. The strategy deals with all energy sub-sectors such as coal, oil and gas, electricity, district heating, energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc…

New partnership targets investment in European hydropower infrastructure- (Out Law) A targeted €500 million is set to be invested in the acquisition and development of hydropower plants in Europe, through a partnership formed by Dutch pension fund asset manager APG Asset Management and alternative investments manager Aquila Capital…

Romania

Romania Expects to be Energy Independent Despite Ukraine Crisis- (Voice of America) WASHINGTON —Romania is expected to achieve energy independence by the end of the decade, due to shale gas and alternative energy sources like wind and nuclear power…

Renewable energy producers in Romania receive EUR 376 mln subsidies in 2013- (Romania Insider) The producers of renewable energy received subsidies of EUR 376 million last year, which was paid by all energy consumers in Romania via the green certificates component of their monthly bills, according to a report published by the Romanian energy authority ANRE, cited by local Agerpres…

Renewable producers in Romania got incentives worth EUR 376 mln in 2013- (Business Review) Romanian consumers have paid EUR 376 million to renewableproducers through green certificates included on their bills in 2013, according to a market report published by energy regulator ANRE, reports Agerpres newswire…

Enel to sell electricity distribution and sales arms in Romania- (Business Review) Italian utility firm Enel has announced it will seek to sell the distribution and sales assets in Romania, as part of a wider EUR 6 billion assets sale program that was started in 2013, in a bid to reduce the group’s financial debt…

Italian group Enel to sell its EUR 1.12 bln electricity distribution business in Romania- (Romania Insider) Italian group Enel plans to sell its electricity all its distribution assets in Romania, the group’s board of directors decided on Thursday, July 10…

CEZ Group’s 2013 net profit in Romania gains 14.1 percent to RON 220 mln- (Business Review) The net profit of CEZ Group in Romania has increased by 14.1 percent to RON 220.1 million (EUR 50 million) in 2013 against the previous year, driven by increased output of its wind farm…

OMV finds new Black Sea oil off Romania- (Reuters) Vienna, July 16- Austrian energy group OMV said it had found a new oil reservoir in the Black Sea off Romania with production potential of 1,500 to 2,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d)…

Romanian consumers have paid EUR 376 million to renewable producers- (Balkans) Romanian consumers have paid EUR 376 million to renewable producers through green certificates included on their bills in 2013, according to a market report published by energy regulator ANRE, reports Agerpres newswire…

Minister Nicolescu: Enel must further fully observe contractual commitments- (ActMedia) All the commitments pledged by Italy's Enel under privatization contracts must be further fully observed, Minister-delegate for Energy Razvan Nicolescu said in a statement…

Romanian crude oil imports up 78.6 pct in four months- (ActMedia) Romania imported more than 2.12 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in the four months of 2014, by 932,600 toe (78.6 pct) less than over last Jan-April, show figures centralized by the National Institute for Statistics…

CEZ Group’s 2013 net profit in Romania gains 14.1 percent to RON 220 mln- (ActMedia) The net profit of CEZ Group in Romania has increased by 14.1 percent to RON 220.1 million (EUR 50 million) in 2013 against the previous year, driven by increased output of its wind farm…

EC advances infringement procedure against Romania on gas export barriers- (ActMedia) The European Commission moved forward to the second stage of the infringement procedure against Romania, where national laws hinders the natural gas exports; if the Romanian authorities' answer is unsatisfactory, the EC might refer the country to the European Court of Justice, the European Executive points out in a media release…

Serbia 

Wind park investment in Serbia in doubt- (Reuters) SARAJEVO, June 24 - Authorities in Serbia have revoked a permit for the local subsidiary of a U.S. renewable energy company to build a 300-million-euro ($408 million) wind park, under challenge by the electricity grid operator…

Serbia: UN Development Chief Calls for more international support after devastating floods- (UNRIC) 15 July 2014 Belgrade - One the eve of an international donor conference for flood recovery efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark today visited an affected area in Serbia and stressed the need to include disaster resilience in forthcoming recovery and reconstruction efforts there…

Russia, Serbia sign USD 2.9bn South Stream deal and the Italian presidency is in favour of the pipeline- (Standart News) A contract on constructing a gas pipeline for the South Stream project in Serbia worth 2.1 billion euros ($2.9 billion) has been signed in Belgrade last Tuesday…

Bill on flood damage repair presented in parliament- (b92) It is a lex specialis, which should be rushed through the parliament, as it should clear the ground for the quick repair of the flood damage in 49 municipalities that suffered major losses...

EBRD is intensifying its efforts with up to €300 million to help Serbia overcome the flood damage-(Balkans) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is intensifying its efforts to help Serbia overcome the damage caused by the floods in May this year…

Armenia 

EBRD to help Armenia go green- (reNews) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has signed an agreement with HSBC to fund $10m of green energy projects in Armenia…

Armenia’s unrealizable nuclear dreams- (AzerNews) Armenia's paralyzed economy is living on loans taken from other countries and international financial organizations…

EBRD to supply HSBC Armenia with funding for renewable energy loans- (Cistran Finance) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Monday that it has signed an agreement with HSBC Armenia for a $10 million loan to support the industrial and residential renewable energy sectors…

Armenia gets $10m for energy efficiency- (Energy Live News) A London-based bank is providing a $10 million (£7.3m) loan to help boost the green energy sector in Armenia...

EBRD to help Armenia increase energy efficiency- (CTBR) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a $10m loan to help increase the green energy sector in Armenia…

Armenia’s PSRC to allow launch of “Stapanavan 2” small hydroelectric plant- (ArmenPress) Yerevan, July 15.  During the upcoming session, the Public Services Regulatory Commission will provide electricity production license to Shumen Ltd, which is the beneficiary of “Stapanavan 2” small hydroelectric plant…

Azerbaijan      

UK says Europe needs stable energy suppliers, such as Azerbaijan- (AzerNews) The development and strengthening of relations with Azerbaijan is among the main priorities of the UK foreign policy, British Energy Minister Michael Fallon said in Baku on July 10…

EU, Azerbaijan to discuss prospects for co-op- (AzerNews) Cooperation prospects between European Union (EU) and Azerbaijan will be discussed under the EU-funded INOGATE regional energy program…

EU-Azerbaijan: taking stock of INOGATE energy cooperation and looking to the future- (Trend.az) An event is taking place in Azerbaijan on July 17 to take stock of the energy cooperation achievements between the EU and Azerbaijan under the EU-funded INOGATE regional energy program, and look ahead to the way forward…

Azerbaijan and the EU to analyze cooperation on INOGATE energy progamme- (News.Az) Azerbaijan and EU will analyze mutual achievements within EU-funded INOGATE energy programme and discuss future cooperation…

Power export from Azerbaijan has resumed growth- (ABC.az) Azerbaijan’s export of electric power has resumed its rise. As a result, for Jan-Jun power export ensured only 0.153% of export revenue for the country ($11.246 bn)…

AIOC invests $43 bln in Azerbaijan’s energy projects- (AzerNews) Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) invested $43.1 billion in the country's energy projects from 1995 to 2013…

Azerbaijan acquires know-how in hydrogen energy- (ABC.az) Azerbaijan has acquired its own know-how in the field of hydrogen energy - yesterday the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy (ABOEMDA) showed President Ilham Aliyev a hydrogen generator of its own design…

AIOC invests over $43 billion in Azerbaijan’s energy projects- (Trend.az) Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) has invested a total of $43.1 billion in the projects for development of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz fields, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline from 1995 to 2013…

AIOC operating expenditures for energy projects in Azerbaijan exceed $43 bln- (APA) Capital expenditures of Azerbaijan International Operating Company for the fields of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Shahdeniz and South Caucasus Pipeline project made $43.1 bln, APA reports quoting BP-Azerbaijan’s report…

Azerbaijani TPP produces 3.5 billion KWh of electricity in H1- (Trend.az) Azerbaijan's thermal power plant (TPP) has generated around 3.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in the first half of 2014, Azerenergy JSC said on July 16…

Foreigners to lend work at oil and has field in Azerbaijan at a rate of 12%- (ACB.az) US company Greenfields Petroleum Corporation, an independent exploration and production company with assets in Azerbaijan, has secured a US$21 million loan facility with an arm’s length third party arranged through Meridian SEZC for work at oil and gas field in Azerbaijan…

President Aliyev attends opening of Surakhani Solar Power Plant (UPDATE)-(AzerNews) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated Surakhani Solar Power Plant of the AzAlternativEnerji LLC under the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy on July 16…

NG: Pipelines to Europe- guarantee of security for Azerbaijan- (News.az) Supply of Azerbaijani energy resources to world markets, particularly to Europe is among the main directions in foreign policy of official Baku, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reads…

Georgia 

Georgia to contruct new HPP- (Trend.az) Georgia will start construction of “Nenskra” Hydro Power Plant in the spring of 2015…

Electricity tariffs in Georgia not to be significantly increased- (Trend.az) The development of a new tariff methodology have been completed in the electricity sector in Gerogia, although it is still unknown whether the current rate will be changed…

Electricity fees to increase?- (Messenger) Electricity fees may increase in Georgia…

Yakobashvili may invest $200 million in Georgia- (Vestnik) David Yakobashvili, a Russian businessman of Georgian origin, plans to invest $200 million more into Georgian economy…

Turkey, Georgia expand business horizons in post-summit era- (Turkish Weekly) The leaders of Turkey and Georgia hope to expand economic ties between the two countries this year…

Government denies rumors of electricity fee increase- (Messenger) Georgian PM Irakli Gharibashvili said that the electricity fee will stay the same…

Moldova  

Moldova signs agreement with Germany on cooperative development projects- (Cistran Finance) Moldova and Germany signed an agreement in Berlin last week on development cooperation during Prime Minister Iurie Leanca’s meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier…

Romania committed to export gas to the Republic of Moldova during cold season- (ActMedia) Romania committed to export natural gas to the Republic of Moldova during the cold season, reads a statement of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) which explains the reasons for the authority's decision to require gas producers to sell on the dedicated exchange at least 20 percent of their output as of July 15…

Turkey 

Energy: Turkey’s electricity consumption hits record high- (ANSAmed ANKARA, JULY 14 - Turkey's electricity use has hit a record high with the country consuming 807 million kilowatt-hours in a day, according to Turkey's energy ministry…

World Bank Approves $350M For Renewable Energy- (Daily Sabah) ANKARA – The World Bank has agreed to lend $350 million to Turkey for its Renewable Energy Integration Project, Turkish Treasury officials have said…

$350m will help Turkish wind- (Recharge) Turkey’s transmission company, TEIAS, has signed $350m (€257m) in loan agreements with the World Bank to integrate wind into the grid and strengthen the network…

Turkey’s power transmission company TEIAS secured $350 mln financing- (Reuters) ISTANBUL, July 10 - Turkey's state-run electricity transmission corporation TEIAS secured $350 million in financing for the implementation of a renewable energy project, the Turkish treasury said on Thursday…

Turkey’s nuclear projects to exceed $70 billion- (World Bulletin) Total cost of Turkey's nuclear power plant projects will exceed $70 billion by 2023, Turkish parliament's energy sub-commission head Halil Mazicioglu said on Tuesday…

SOCAR gets license to sell liquefied gas in two regions of Turkey- (Trend.az) Socar Turkey LNG company has received a license to sell liquefied gas in Turkey's Denizli and Bursa provinces, a message posted on the website of Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority said on July 11…

World Bank gives Turkey $350 mln wind loan- (Wind Power Monthly) Teias has been provided with the funds by the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Clean Technology Fund…

Electricity usage hits all-time record July 10- (Hurriyet Daily) Turkey’s electricity consumption has hit all-time record high on July 10, with over 807.8 million kWh of power used in one day, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has announced…

Turkey’s Power Co. Gets $350M For Green Energy Project- (Law360, New York (July 10, 2014, 6:14 PM ET) – Turkey’s state-run electricity transmission company has received $350 million in loans from World Bank entities to improve the country’s renewable energy supply, mainly through wind sources, the latest European project to push cleaner energy with government support…

Turkey hits all time electricity consumption record- (PV Magazine) Turkey's electricity consumption scored an all time record last week, highlighting the country's thirst for new power capacity. Yet renewable power development plods slowly onwards…

ET Solar Energy extends its presence in Turkey- ET Solar Energy Corp., a leading smart energy solutions provider, announces that it has supplied high quality PV modules to DOMILUX Leuchten Herstellung und Vertrieb GmbH (“DOMILUX”), a German solar developer and EPC company, for a 728 kW rooftop solar power plant in Turkey…

ET Solar modules to power 728kW plant in Turkey- (PV Tech) Smart energy solutions provider ET Solar has supplied some of its high-quality PV modules to German solar developer and EPC company DOMILUX Leuchten Herstellung und Vertrieb GmbH for a 728kW rooftop PV plant in Turkey...

Ukraine 

Energoatom welcomes choice of vendor- (World Nuclear News) Ukraine's cabinet of ministers has a "completely new attitude" towards nuclear power and supports the idea of building new reactors using technology "of Western design", Energoatom president Yuri Nedashkovskiy has said…

Renewable fuel makes Ukraine less vulnerable-(Des Moines Register) If Ukraine can build a renewable energy sector based on its vast agricultural production, it won’t need Russian energy and could, perhaps, protect its sovereignty to a much greater extent than it can today because of its Achilles’ heel of energy dependence…

Ukraine targets 30% cut in gas consumption- Energy Ministry- (Interfax) Ukraine has set the goal of reducing natural gas consumption 30%, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan told Interfax-Ukraine…

Cabinet of Ministers fires head of energy saving agency- (Kyiv Post) Oleksandr Taran has been fired from the position of Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine…

Ukraine needs to import 7.23 Bcm of gas August 2014- March 2015: government-(Platts) Ukraine will need to import 7.23 billion cubic meters of natural gas August 2014 through March 2015 to ensure the economy's steady operation during the high demand season, the government said on Friday…

Ukraine needs 7.23 billion cu m natgas through March, says government- (Kiev, July 11- Ukraine needs to import 7.23 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Europe in August through March 2015 to survive winter without Russian gas supplies, the government said on Friday…

Iceland Offers to Map Ukraine’s Geothermal Heat- (Iceland Review) Foreign Minister of Iceland Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson offered Iceland’s help in mapping Ukraine’s geothermal energy resources to Deputy Head of the Ukrainian National Agency on Ensuring of Efficient Use of Energy Resources (NAER) Vitalii Grygorovskyi in a meeting today…

There’s no alternative to Ukraine as major transit country for Russian gas- (Vestnik) The ongoing Ukrainian crisis is posing a number of threats to Russia in such fields as poliltics, the economy and the humanitarian sphere…

Supplies of gas for industry, heat supply companies to be cut by 30% from August with view to savings, says official- (Interfax) Supplies of gas to industrial enterprises and heat supply companies will be cut by 30% from August compared to the usual volume, Deputy Head of national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy Oleksandr Todiychuk said on the First National TV Channel during the Persha Shpalta show…

US Energy Firms Expect to be Paid for Ukraine Gas Deliveries- Congressman- (Ria Novosti) WASHINGTON, July 17- Democratic Congressman Gene Green of the Energy and Commerce Committee has told RIA Novosti that while he strongly advocates US export of energy to US allies in Eastern Europe, like Ukraine, US companies will expect to be paid for the delivery of oil or natural gas supplies…

Reuters: Russia says gas talks with EU over Ukraine delayed for next week- (Kyiv Post) Talks between the European Commission and Russia over gas supplies to Ukraine have been postponed until next week, the Russian Energy Ministry said on July 17…

Ukraine needs more gas for winter- (Vestnik) Ukrainian Minister for Energy and Coal Industry Yuri Prodan said that the country needed more gas for winter…

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.