Albania

Alstom bags €100m Albania hydro – (Re news) Alstom has clinched a €100m contract with Norwegian company Statkraft to supply generating equipment to the 243MW Devoll River hydropower project in Albania…

Albania's power corporation warned that the country faces a fresh energy crisis this winter – (Balkans) Albania's power corporation warned that the country faces a fresh energy crisis this winter because the country's electricity distributor has failed to cover grid losses with imports…

SOCAR started regular consultations for development internal gas market in Albania – (abc.az) SOCAR informs that, at the meetings with prime-minister Sali Berisha and leader of Socialist party Edi Rama (winning party at parliamentary elections) the issues on development of internal gas market of Albania in connection with elections of TAP pipe line crossing the country for export of Azerbaijan’s gas we discussed…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s public consultative council with energy watchdog to hold sitting – (FOCUS News Agency) Chairperson of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC), Anzhela Toneva, is summoning a sitting of the Public Consultative Council with the state regulator to discuss the new electricity and central heating prices, the press office of the commission announced…

Bulgaria's Three Power Distributors Face Bankruptcy – (Novinite) The three power distributors operating in Bulgaria, CEZ, EVN and Energo Pro, face de-facto bankruptcy due to the decrease in electricity prices in effect since March 2013, the new rules for purchasing renewable energy, and the obstructions to the reimbursement of expenses by the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, DKEVR…

Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog Proposes Average 5% Decrease in Power Rates – (Novinite) Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) has proposed a decrease in electricity prices by an average 5% as of the beginning of August…

Serbia and Bulgaria to Team Up in Energy Policy - (FriedlNews) Serbia and Bulgaria discuss South Stream, Nis-Sofia gas interconnection and the completion of the section of Corridor 10..

Bulgaria's Govt Vows Justice after Deadly Collapse in Mine – (Novinite) Bulgaria’s energy minister has vowed to bring to justice those guilty for the deadly accident in a coal mine in southern part of the country…

How Green can Bulgaria be? – (Balkans) Bulgaria has substantial green growth potential and it depends upon bold and systematic actions to tap into this potential in areas like agriculture, energy efficiency, and green manufacturing, according to Markus Repnik, World Bank Country Manager for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, at the Fourth Green Forum held in Sofia in June…

Industrial Energy Consumers in Bulgaria Demand Energy Road Map – (Novinite) The Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC) has demanded a "roadmap" offering sustainable long-term solutions to the energy problems which takes into account the recommendations of the European Commission and the World Bank on energy sector reform…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bank seeks small hydro projects design review on Bosnia's Neretva River – (Hydro World) The World Bank invites expressions of interest from consultants to review preliminary design of small hydro projects proposed for the Upper Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Responses are due July 25…

China's SEPCO III wins bid to build CCGT in Bosnia – (Gas to Power Journal) Swiss-based operator KTG has selected China's EPC Sepco III Electric Power Construction Corp as the winning bidder to build a 390MW gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration plant in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Sepco III was chosen as it offered the lowest price in the tender, bidding to carry out project at a cost 218 million euro ($284.44 million)…

Croatia

Electricity war started in Croatia – (The Sofia Globe) After Slovenian company GEN-I won a tender in June to supply the Croatian public administration with electricity, now the Croatian rivals, company HEP has started to reduce prices, too. Now, after 23 years, HEP has announced a price reduction…

Slovenian power provider says its offer for Croatia remains best – (Dalje) The Slovenian company GEN-I said on Monday that its "Cheap Electricity" offer would remain the best on the Croatian market even if the competition lowered their prices, and that more than 4,000 customers had opted for its offer so far…

Macedonia

Macedonia Russia sign South Stream Agreement – (MINA) Macedonia has signed the agreement with the Russian Federation over cooperation in the construction of South Stream gas pipeline…

All legal entities in FYR Macedonia dealing with construction work will need to have prepared elaborate energy efficiency – (Balkans) In the beginning of next year all legal entities in (FYR) Macedonia  dealing with construction work will  need to have prepared elaborate energy efficiency to obtain a building permit…

Moldova

Moldovan premier invites Romanian counterpart to pipeline start – (WIKI News) During an official visit to Romania on Tuesday, Moldovan premier Iurie Leancă invited his Romanian counterpart, Victor Ponta, to attend Moldovan Independence Day on August 27. On that occasion, the two neighbouring countries are to start building a cross-border gas pipeline between cities Iași, Romania, and Ungheni, Moldova…

Draft agreement on CIS pipeline transport transit on agenda this autumn – (BelTA) – A regular session of the Economic Affairs Commission under the CIS Economic Council took place in Moscow on 22 July, the press service of the CIS Executive Committee told BelTA…

Romania

More Sharing Services – (Balkans) Romania's energy regulator, removed the transportation tariffs related to the import-export of electricity to stop an infringement procedure of the European Commission (EC)…

New EBRD loan encourages Romanian SMEs to invest in energy efficiency – (Financial) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing €10 million in new financing to Romania’s UniCredit Tiriac Bank S.A. for on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) investing in industrial energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy projects, accordig to EBRD…

Romania Energy Sector Report - June 2013 – (Environmental Expert) IntelliNews Romania Energy Sector Report offers an extensive summary of the Romanian energy sector, segmented into electricity, thermal, water, gas, oil and renewable energy markets…

Romania intends to ask EU for support for energy infrastructure projects – (Act Media) President Traian Basescu said that Romania intended to ask the European Union for support and financing for other energy infrastructure projects, through the Connecting Europe facility, a clarification that was made during the Tuesday meeting with Gerhard Roiss, chairman of the Petrom supervisory board and OMV managing director. 'Romania's President, Mr Traian Basescu, made it clear that...

IMF is urging Romania to tap into its natural energy resources – (Balkans) The International Monetary Fund's managing director is urging Romania to tap into its natural energy resources and European Union funds to improve its sluggish economy…

Romania's State-owned Hunedoara Energy, a power generator, has absorbed the National Coal Company Petrosani  -(Balkans) Romania's state-owned Hunedoara Energy Holding, a power generator, has absorbed the National Coal Company Petrosani, in a move to cut production costs…

Serbia

Small hydropower plants to be built in western Serbia – (B92) The construction of small hydropower plants in Ivanjica and Arilje, western Serbia, will start soon, Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlović said on Monday…

Serbia to Invest in Renewable Energy - (FriedlNews) The Balkan country wants to invest more than € 10bn in its energy production. The focus will be on renewable energy…

One Ministry For Energy And Mining, Finance And Economy Separate Ministries – (In Serbia) Serbia’s Minister of Energy, Development and Environment Zorana Mihajlovic has said that the ministries of energy and mining should be merged, adding that a ministry of environment will have to be formed as the country moves closer to the EU, reported Tanjug…

Armenia

Drop in Russian natural gas supply volume reported in Armenia – (Armenia Now) The volume of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia in January-June 2013 amounted to 945 cubic meters, which is a 7.2-percent decrease as compared with last year’s corresponding period, said the monopolist gas distribution company… 

Armenians protest at sale of gas stake to Gazprom – (Asia Times) Opposition politicians in Armenia are furious that the government is considering handing over its remaining stake in the country's natural gas monopoly to the Russian corporation Gazprom…

Higher Armenian prices of gas and electricity may have a reverse effect on EBRD’S forecast about Armenia’s GDP growth – (ARKA) Higher prices of gas and electricity, which came into force in Armenia on July 7, could have a reverse effect on EBRD’s forecast about Armenia’s GDP growth, EBRD chief economist, Alexander Pivovarsky, told a news conference in Yerevan today…

Bus fare in Armenia to be increased in wake of gas, electricity tariff rise – (Armenia Now) With the new tariffs for natural gas and electricity applied since July 7, public transport fares are expected to be raised already next week. The authorities assure the public, however, that will not allow a big increase that would be in favor of businesses and to the detriment of passengers…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Russia Draw Closer Over Energy Ties – (Oil Price) The implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991 produced three petro-states – the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan…

President Aliyev: Southern Gas Corridor route will allow Azerbaijan to fully realize its gas potential – (Trend) In the last quarter there were very serious, we can say, historical events associated with the energy policy of Azerbaijan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in his opening speech at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Thursday, dedicated to the socio-economic development in the first half of 2013 and the upcoming challenges…

Azerbaijan attaches great importance to energy diplomacy – FM – (News AZ) Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has today addressed the participants of VII Baku Summer Energy School, telling about the energy policy of the country and its priorities…

Baku’s energy bargaining chips – (Vestnik) Azerbaijan is expanding its functions in the global energy schemes. Known as a supplier of oil and gas, the country is now ready to become also the largest transporter of Central Asian energy resources…

Energy in the eye of the beholder: Nabucco Project, Black Sea exploration program and shale gas prospecting – (The Diplomat) On June 26, Nabucco consortium leader OMV announced that the group of companies operating the Shah Deniz gas deposit in Azerbaijan had not selected the Nabucco gas pipeline as the route to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe…

European energy security unimaginable without Azerbaijan, Turkey – (Azernews) Istanbul hosted a ceremony on July 13 to present the award of "President of Decade" in Turkic countries, the Middle East and the South Caucasus, which was won by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a survey conducted by the Turkish Ekovitrin magazine, Azerbaijan's AzerTag state news agency reported…

TAP to allow direct sales of Azerbaijani gas to Europe: SOCAR official – (Azernews) Trans Adriatic Pipeline will allow direct sales of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Gulmirza Javadov, head of the representative office of Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR in Austria, told Trend news agency on July 23…

Azerbaijani FM: Southern Gas Corridor to open up broad opportunities for European energy security – (Azernews) Baku has urged the European Union to fulfill the obligations undertaken by the organization to support Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are reflected in the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan passed in 2006…

Georgia

Georgia to implement energy strategy until 2015 – (Trend) There is an action plan for the formation of a long term Georgian energy development strategy; an initial SWOT analysis will be known next month…

EU and Georgia edge closer to association deal – (EU Observer) EU trade officials concluded talks on a free trade agreement with Georgia on Monday (22 July), as the South Caucasus country edges towards an association treaty with the bloc…

Delegation of Russian RusHydro to visit Georgia – (Trend) The delegation of the Federal Hydro-Generating Company RusHydro JSC will visit Georgia soon, Georgia's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Kakha Kaladze said at a press-conference on Wednesday…

E-system for river energy potential to be introduced in Georgia – (Trend) A Memorandum of Understanding has been formalised with the Norwegian government to introduce an electronic system for the energy potential assessment of Georgian rivers…

Indian company to invest in Georgian energy system – (Azernews) Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has met with the heads of the Indian company "TATA Group" on July 16. The Georgian government press reported that Georgian Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze and Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Khatuna Gogaladze attended the meeting…

Georgia and Russia to establish new electricity links – (By Messenger Online) Georgian authorities aired the information on the possible construction of 500 kilowatt electro-transmission line between Georgia and Russia in the near future…

Georgia: The battle for Tbilisi – (The Lawyer) The economy may be stagnant, but at least Georgia can now boast freedom of speech and transparency  – and a highly competitive legal market..

Russia

Russian Far East bolsters RES capacity – (PV Magazine) The Russian Far East, where adverse climate conditions have resulted in high prices for fossil fuels, is increasingly embracing renewable energy. The offers opportunity, but also challenges for local developers…

Electric cars emerge in Russia’s oil-fueled economy – (Russia Beyond the Headlines) Eco-friendly cars are still not popular with Russians, due to their high price, the lack of charging stations and insufficient state support. RBTH attempts to find out if electric cars are needed at all in the capital city of a state with the world’s second largest oil industry…

Russia and Macedonia sign South Stream offshoot deal – (B92) MOSCOW -- Russia and Macedonia have signed a bilateral agreement allowing them to construct a South Stream gas line offshoot in order to deliver gas to Macedonia…

Road to Daegu Series: Modernization of the Russian Energy Sector – (The Energy Collective) As part of our “Road to Daegu” activities leading up to the World Energy Congress, Siemens is hosting Round Table discussions around the globe on regional energy topics…

No easy to break gas dominance of Russia  -(Daily News) The European Union aims to diversify away from Russian natural gas supplies, yet Reuters research indicates the EU’s biggest provider a decade from now could easily still be Russia…

Turkey

Turkey to increase investment in energy sector of south-eastern provinces – (Albawaba Business) Turkey intends to invest up to 2 billion lira in energy projects in the south-eastern provinces of the country in the near future, the Lira newspaper wrote on Tuesday…

Turkey not planning large dam privatization  -(Daily News) The government is not considering privatization of big dams, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has said, speaking at a panel on a planned energy bourse…

Informa PLC : Turkish energy market – attractive for international companies  -(4 Traders) Turkey has developed into one of the fastest-growing energy markets and is rapidly establishing a competitive market structure…

Turkey good at refixing gas prices: Energy agency – (Daily News) The International Energy Agency (IEA) came out in favour of the spot gas market on late Wednesday over contracts that link gas to oil prices, citing Turkey as an example of a successful renegotiation…

Energy: Greece-Turkey hail TAP project in Ankara – (Anna Lindh Foundation) The foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey on Friday hailed the geopolitical importance of a new Caspian Sea gas pipeline running across the two countries and bringing gas to Europe…

Turkey to use more renewable energy – ( World Bulletin) Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanization Bayraktar said the amount of renewable energy, especially wind, hydroelectric, sun and geothermic, for the production of electricity will increase to 30 percent until 2023…

The founding capital of the planned energy bourse in Turkey will be around 40 million TL with private sector participation – (Balkans) The founding capital of the planned energy bourse in Turkey will be around 40 million Turkish Liras and the private sector will have a share in the bourse, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said yesterday…

Shale gas; risks and opportunities for Turkey – (Daily News) Turkey is ready to produce “shale gas,” according to Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar…

Energy project is a new corridor for Turk-Greek ties – (Daily News) A new energy relationship between Turkey and Greece, based on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a pipeline project to transport natural gas from the Azeri shore of the Caspian Sea through Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea, Italy and further to Western Europe, will be a project of “friendship,” Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos has said…

Ukraine

Activ Solar completes 34.14MWp solar park in Ukraine – (Renewable Energy Magazine) The Vienna-based solar company Activ Solar has just completed a major PV project in the Odessa region of Southern Ukraine. The 34.14MWp Bolgrad Solar Park is the 5th PV installation the company has developed in the area which has, so far, lacked local electricity generation…

Renewable energy in Ukraine doubles output – (NRCU) Since January, Ukrainian solar and wind power plants and biofuel stations have generated 582 million kWh of electricity, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported on Friday.

Ukraine: getting out from underneath the bear?  -(European Voice) The election of Viktor Yanukovych as president of Ukraine was expected to reinforce the historic cultural and political links between Kiev and Moscow…

Ukraine DTEK starts importing gas from Europe – (Steel Guru) Ukraine's biggest privately owned vertically integrated energy company, has joined OstChem, VETEK and Naftogaz Ukrainy in importing natural gas from Europe…

Ukraine extracts 2.3% more gas in H1 – (Steel Guru) Ukraine's energy and coal industry ministry said that gas production in Ukraine increased 2.3% year-on-year to 10.380 billion cubic meters in the H1, including a 2.5% rise to 10.001 billion cubic meter for natural gas…

Ukraine doubles power output by renewable sources in Jan-June – (Platts) Ukraine has more than doubled power generation by renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and biofuel power plants, in the first half of the year, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported Friday…

Ukraine: Unexpected Oil Find, Major Gas Interest – (Oil Price) Bottom Line: We see a flurry of activity in Ukraine, with a $735 million Black Sea commitment by Exxon, an unexpected 100 million barrel oil find in the Poltava region and new estimates that the country could achieve annual gas production of 45 billion cubic meters by 2020…

Energy minister: There's enough gas in Ukrainian storage facilities for timely start of heating season – (Interfax) All heating systems in Ukraine should be brought to a proper condition for the timely start of the heating season to ensure the unhindered supply of heat, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said…

 

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.