Albania

Petromanas drops Albanian onshore licence – (Up Stream) The Toronto-listed company said it would have to spend $295,000 to remediate the site of the Juban 1 probe, which itself cost $6.5 million to drill between last November and January…

Albania probes failed oil company privatization – (Balkans) Albi Serjani, spokesperson for the General Prosecutors office, told Balkan Insight that a probe into the failed sale was in the initial verification stage and it has not moved far enough in order to evaluate if a criminal proceeding will be warranted…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria limits PV capacity – (PV Magazine) State-owned energy holding group EAD has ordered drastic limitations on renewable energy capacity. Electricity distribution company CEZ will cut capacity by 40%...

Bulgarian Watchdog to Tackle Energy Prices by Upping Export – (Novinite) Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) will strive to stimulate export in order to preserve current prices of electric energy…

Two legal actions against Bulgaria regarding energy field instituted in two consecutive days – (Focus) In two consecutive days, two legal actions against Bulgaria regarding the country’s energy field were finally instituted…

Chair of Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog Resigns – (Novinite) Evgenia Haritonova, Chair of Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR), has resigned from the post…

New Composition of Bulgaria's Energy, Water Regulator Announced – (Novinite) Angela Toneva has been appointed director of Bulgaria's state energy and water watchdog agency, after Wednesday resignation of former director Evgenia Haritonova…

Foreign Minister Vigenin: Bulgaria’s main energy commitments are to the EU, not to USA, or Russia – (Standart) The term-in-office of Kristiyan Vigenin, Bulgaria’s new foreign minister, started quite controversially…

New line-up of Bulgaria’s energy watchdog to be announced by end of the day – (Focus) At the government’s meeting Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Dragomir Stoynev reported that members of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission had handed in resignation, Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said at a press conference, cited by FOCUS News Agency…

Croatia

Croatia supports TAP project – (Trend) Croatia supports the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project as it gives the country the possibility to diversify its gas supply, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Josko Klisovic said in an interview to Bloomberg…

Croatia Joins Greece, Italy to Push for Europe Caspian Gas Link – (Energy Tribune) Croatia has joined Greece, Albania, and Italy in pushing for the Trans-Adriatic pipeline, which would bring natural gas to Europe from the Caspian region through Turkey…

IFC approves EUR 38.8 mln loan for Jelinak wind farm – (Dalje) The International Financial Corporation (IFC), which is a member of the World Bank (WB), has secured EUR 38.8 million for the Jelinak wind farm in the northwest of Split-Dalmatia County, the IFC reported earlier in the week…

Kosovo

European Investment Bank and Kosovo* sign Framework Agreement – (Europa) Mr Anton Rop, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Kosovo’s Finance Minister, Mr Besim Beqaj, signed a Framework Agreement governing future EIB activities in Kosovo, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr Hashim Thaçi, and the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo / EUSR, Mr Samuel Žbogar…

Macedonia

EVN Macedonia to invest over billion euros in distribution network – (MINA) EVN Macedonia in the next twenty years will invest over one billion euros in new energy capacities in the distribution system, it is envisaged by EVN's Master Plan outlined on Tuesday…

Macedonia to Join South Stream Pipeline Project – (FriedINews) Macedonia will join the Russian pipeline project South Stream. A contract will be signed next week, according to announcements by Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Stavreski during an economic meeting in St. Petersburg…

Vecer, Macedonia: Govt postpones energy market liberalization – (Focus) Macedonia has postponed the liberalization of its energy market until January 2014, because the move might result in a drastic electricity price hike, writes the Macedonian Vecer daily…

Montenegro

KAP problems will not affect Montenegro's energy sector – (Balkans) The current situation in Montenegro's energy sector and the costs resulting from illegal electricity supply to the Aluminium Plant (KAP) will not affect the tariffs charged to the clients, says Energy Regulatory Agency (RAE)…

Romania

Reorganization plan for Romania’s largest energy producer Hidroelectrica filed, administrator stands to make EUR 2.2 mln – (Romania Insider) Euro INSOL, the judicial administrator of Romania’s insolvent energy producer Hidroelectrica, filed on Tuesday (June 11) the company’s reorganization plan in court…

Overall energy production falls in Q1 in Romania, but wind power doubles on last year – (Romania Insider) The amount of main primary energy resources totaled 9,979 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in the first four months of 2013, down 1,372 million toe over last year, according to Romania’s National Statistics Institute (INS)…

Changes To Romania's Renewable Energy Laws – (Mondaq) The sun is setting and the wind is stopping to blow for renewable energy support schemes (E-RES) in Central and Eastern Europe…

Romania's Hidroelectrica aims to exit insolvency on June 26 – (Reuters) Romania's biggest power producer, state-owned Hidroelectrica, is likely to exit insolvency on June 26, a year after it was hit by a drought and a string of loss-making contracts, its manager was quoted as saying on Wednesday…

Technically recoverable shale gas resources are enough to cover Romania for the next century - US EIA – (Balkans) technically recoverable shale gas resources in Romania stand at around 51 trillion cubic feet (1.4 billion cubic meters), enough to cover Romania’s energy needs for the next century, reports Mediafax newswire…

Hidroelectrica, largest energy producer in Romania ends restructuring: merged subsidiaries, office space to be sold, EUR 6 mln salary cost cuts – (Romania Insider) Romania’s largest energy producer, the state – owned Hidrolectrica, which is currently insolvent but due to soon exit this process, has been restructured…

Romania to cut green certificates – (PV Magazine) The Romanian government has approved legislation that will severely cut PV incentives for investors…

Serbia

Budget Funds Needed For Environmental Protection – Mihajlovic – (In Serbia) Serbian Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Zorana Mihajlovic has said that as of next year, the budget should include a special provision dedicated only to projects in the field of environmental protection…

Serbia plans a power bourse in 2014 – (Reuters) - Serbia plans to set up a spot power exchange in the first quarter of 2014 with the aim of later joining it with other regional day-ahead markets, an official of its grid operator EMS said on Wednesday…

Armenia

Armenia’s wind power potential is 10,000 megawatt, expert says – (ARKA) Speaking to reporters today, Hayk Khachatryan, deputy head of Clean Energy public organization, said a study has revealed that the total wind energy potential of the country is 10,000 megawatt,  which is ten times the capacity of Armenian nuclear  power plant.

PSRC sets new gas and electricity tariffs – (Public Radio of Armenia) The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC)confirmed today the new gas and electricity tariffs. From July 7 the consumers will pay 156 AMD per 1 cubic meter of gas instead of the current 132 AMD. The price is lower than suggested by ArmRusGasProm…

INOGATE seminar in Yerevan looks at benefits of Energy Community Treaty membership – (EU Neighborhood) EU-Armenia energy cooperation in the framework of the EU-funded INOGATE programme and the Energy Community are the focus of today’s information event in Yerevan organized by the NOGATE and Energy Community Secretariat…

Gas Equals Power in Russian-Armenian Relations – (Institute for War and Peace Reporting) The Russian-controlled firm that holds a monopoly over natural gas in Armenia has secured an increase in retail prices, as part of a move towards charging the same as western customers pay… 

Alternative energy sources able to produce 20 percent of Armenia’s electricity: expert –(ARKA) Armenia is rich in renewable energy sources, which can generate up to 20% of all electricity produced in the country to mitigate the impact of the impending rise in gas price, Mikael Martirosyan, head of Techno Eco LLC, said at a news conference on Monday…

Electricity price increases in Armenia – (AYSOR) At the sitting today, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia approved the new tariffs of electricity…

PSRC sets new electricity tariffs for consumers in Armenia – (ARKA) YEREVAN, June 7./ARKA/. Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) set Friday new electricity tariffs for consumers, which is supplied by Electric Network of Armenia company… 

IAEA: other states may benefit from Armenia’s expertise in nuke energy – (Pan Armenian) Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimian met the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General Alexander Bychkov on Monday, June 10…

Armenia can take advantage of solar energy: expert – (ARKA) Armenia with 80% annul average of solar illumination has excellent conditions for using solar energy, a renewable energy expert Hayk Shekyan said Monday.

Armenian Energy Ministry finds Iran’s offer to increase gas export to Armenia interesting – (ARKA) On Tuesday, Armenian Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Areg Galstyan, commenting on Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Raiesi’s statement about his country’s readiness to enlarge supply of Iranian natural gas to Armenia, said that the matter deserves consideration…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan can boost energy security but Europe should aid Karabakh solution – (AzerNews) Azerbaijan can play a vital role in European energy security strategies in the long term, Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said…

Energy efficiency to free 73% of Azerbaijan’s used energy resources for export – (abc.az) The estimations of the potential increase in energy resource exports from Azerbaijan have been conducted in case of bringing the level of energy efficiency up to the European standards…

Plenty of gas for Europe, Azerbaijan says – (UPI) Azerbaijan is situated to play a vital role in European energy security strategies over the long haul, Azerbaijan Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said…

Azeri energy minister wants swift returns from pipeline to EU – (Reuters) Azerbaijan's energy minister confirmed he expects a decision by the end of this month on which of two rival pipeline projects will ship Azeri gas to Europe and said the decisive factor will be ensuring quick financial returns…

Azerbaijan's Energy Minister: Quick profits key for European gas pipeline decision – (Trend) Azerbaijani gas producers will soon choose between two competing European pipeline routes, making their choice based upon which of the planned projects promises quicker returns, Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said Monday in Vienna, dpa reported…

Azerbaijan unveils awareness and emergency strategy to avert Sarsang dam disaster – (Trend) Azerbaijan has unveiled a multi-pronged strategy aimed at saving its citizens in the event of the catastrophic failure or sabatoge of the dilapidated Sarsang Reservoir, which lies in Armenian-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a statement posted at PRNewswire agency's website said…

Azerbaijan has long-term gas prospects – (I Stock Analyst) Development of the third phase of the Shah Deniz natural gas reserve offshore Azerbaijan is expected within the next 20 years, an energy analyst said in Baku…

Azerbaijan Says 'No' to Russia's Pump-Or-Pay Demand – (The Maritime Executive) Azerbaijan is not willing to accept Moscow's "pump or pay" conditions for shipping oil across Russia, the Azeri energy minister said on Monday…

Georgia

Planned PV project in Georgia secures government support – (PV Magazine) Ergon Solair is one step closer to realizing a $1.5 billion, 1 GW photovoltaic power plant in Georgia. The enterprise would connect Georgia to the European grid via HVDC transmission…

Bank of Georgia and EBRD sign a US$10 million loan agreement – (Financial) JSC Bank of Georgia (“the Bank”), Georgia’s leading bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a loan agreement in the amount of US$ 10 million under the EBRD’s Caucasus Energy Efficiency Programme (CEEP)…

Bank of Georgia signs financing package with EBRD – (ShareCast) FTSE 250-listed Bank of Georgia has signed a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for 10.0m dollars under the EBRD's Caucasus Energy Efficiency Programme (CEEP)…

Russia

Russia’s First Hybrid Power Plant Launched in Siberia – (RIA) Russia’s first hybrid diesel/solar power plant was launched Friday in south-central Siberia…

Solar energy: Russia sees huge potential for joint ventures (RIA) Russia keen to assist Indian firms to construct solar power stations. They are also planning to enter into series of MoUs with Indian partners…

Urals Exports Plunge as Russia Refiners Keep Oil: Energy Markets – (Bloomberg) Russia’s refiners are processing so much of the country’s Urals crude that exports via the Baltic Sea have tumbled to the lowest in 20 months, driving prices close to parity with Brent…

South Russia power company suspected of embezzment – (Vestnik) An audit by the prosecutor's office discovered thesuspected theft of more than 70 million rubles by a power company in south Russia's Karachay-Cherkessia…

Construction of Sochi power plant cancelled  -(KHL) Construction of the 367MW Kudepstinskaya thermal power plant in Sochi, Russia, has been cancelled, according to market research and consulting company PMR…

Turkey

Turkey’s role as energy hub: a sustainable future?  -(Your Middle East) Turkey is at the ultimate crossroads: the largest deposits of oil and gas in the world to the East and one of the world’s largest energy consumers to the West, writes Nicole Leonard in this first article of our new column "Middle East oil & gas"…

New $5 billion thermal power plant on the way in Turkey – (Daily News) Turkey plans to establish a 3,500-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant with a $5 billion investment in the western province of Afyon, which possesses 950 million tons of lignite, the energy minister said yesterday…

Local and foreign investors began filing applications to build Turkey's photovoltaic power plants – (Balkans) Zaman - Local and foreign investors began filing applications to Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) yesterday to build photovoltaic power plants of up to 600 megawatt (MW) capacity, the first step towards harnessing the country’s considerable solar energy potential…

Turkey: Commercial rooftop installations – a promising market – (PV Magazine) Turkey is one of the most promising new photovoltaic markets. This was the result of the first investment workshop organized by Solarpraxis AG and pv magazine in the "PV in ....." series…

Turkmenistan to supply electricity to Turkey – (AzerNews) The Turkmenenergo State Corporation will conclude a contract for the supply of electricity to Turkey with a Turkish company Gent Elektrik Enerjisi Toptan Satiş A.Ş, the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan said…

Two Turkish energy firms cleared for Iraq exports  -(Trend) The deal, which was signed between the companies and northern Iraq's semi-autonomous government in Erbil, would see Kartet supply 200 megawatts (MW) a year to northern Iraq, while Akas was given the right to export 1 billion kilowatt hours of power annually to the region…

Two Turkish companies to sell power to Iraq – (Daily News) The Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) approved the applications of two Turkish companies, Aksa and Kartet, to export power to Iraq…

$210m project for Turkey’s SMEs energy efficiency – (GBN) The World Bank together with Halkbank, Vakifbank and Ziraatbank have launched a$210 million project for Turkey’s Small and Medium Enterprises Energy Efficiency…

Ukraine

Yanukovych says current oil and gas reserves will help Ukraine shed its energy dependence – (Interfax) Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that oil and gas reserves in Ukraine and an increase in their production are the foundation for Ukraine to shed its energy dependence…

Ukraine Thermal Power Market Outlook to 2020 Available At Researchmoz.us – (Environmental Expert) This report gives a view of the countrys thermal energy market and provides forecasts to 2020. This report includes information on thermal (coal, oil and gas) installed capacity and generation…

EU supports Ukraine in upgrade of energy infrastructure, development of alternative energy, say official – (KyivPost) The European Union supports Ukraine in its eagerness to conduct the reform of the energy market, introduce innovations and develop types of renewable energy, Andrew Rasbash, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, has said at the 4th European-Ukrainian Energy Day…

EU supports Ukraine in energy sector reform – (NRCU) "The European Union supports Ukraine in its efforts to reform the energy market, introduce innovations, and develop the renewable energy sector," Andrew Rasbash, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said at the 4th Europe-Ukraine Energy Day…

Energy minister: Ukraine to announce tender to buy two more drilling rigs in August – (Kyiv Post) Ukraine plans to announce a tender for the purchase of another two modern drilling rigs for work on the Ukrainian shelf in late August this year, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky told journalists in Kyiv on June 5…

European Energy Community official: Ukraine's gas debts caused by 2009 deals, low domestic gas price – (Kyiv Post) Ukraine has to increase the domestic price of gas to a market price in order to upgrade the gas transport system (GTS) and ease the problem with settlements with Russia's Gazprom, Director of the European Energy Community Secretariat Janez Kopac has said…

EBRD to double financing of Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility – (NRCU) "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to double the financing of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) to 140 million euros, Serhiy Maslichenko, senior manager of the energy efficiency department at the EBRD office in Ukraine, told reporters on Friday…

Ukraine's gas upstream sector: focus on international investment – (OGJ) Ukraine depends to a large extent on natural gas imports, which are mainly met by one external supply source...

 

 

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.