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Albania's Fertile Grounds For Oil Opportunities – (Seeking Alpha) Texas is oil country. The state I now call home leads the nation in oil production and would be one of the top oil-producing nations if it were its own country. But that doesn't stop us from exploring other promising oil opportunities further afield. I recently traveled to Albania to check out a drill site…

INTERVIEW-Albania to auction 13 blocks for oil exploration – (Reuters) Albania plans to auction off 13 oil exploration blocks, including one offshore, to oil majors and other foreign companies after a significant discovery has attracted strong interest, a government minister said…

Albania is mulling over whether to restructure state oil company – (Balkans) Albania plans to auction off 13 oil exploration blocks, including one offshore, to oil majors and other foreign companies after a significant discovery has attracted strong interest, a government minister said…

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Bulgaria

Delicensing power distributors will not fix Bulgaria’s energy sector – Eurelectric sec gen – (SeeNews) Delicensing the three power distribution companies operating in Bulgaria will not solve the problems in the country's energy sector, the secretary general of Eurelectric, the sector association representing the interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level, said on Wednesday…

Bulgaria Must Back Proposal for European Energy Union – President – (Novinite) Bulgaria should strongly support the establishment of a European energy union, according to President Rosen Plevneliev.  The Polish project for an energy union envisages the creation of a single European body that would buy gas for the whole 28-nation bloc and the establishment of "solidarity mechanisms" through which EU countries will help Member States threatened with gas cutoffs…

Bulgarian leader calls for stronger European Union – (Washington Post) Speaking at a military parade in the capital, Sofia, on Tuesday, President Rosen Plevneliev said the “correct answer to the economic problems, rising nationalism and the Ukraine crisis is: more Europe.” He added that “we have to work for a new level of defense and energy integration, for a stronger European Union…

Bulgarian PM Oresharski Threatens Power Distributors – (Novinite) If grid operators in Bulgaria do not comply with the law, the national energy watchdog DKEVR will suspend their licenses, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said…

Bulgaria seeks financial consultant for 7th power unit – (Focus) The project company that will build the 7th power unit of Kozloduy NPP is seeking a financial consultant for the project, Politika weekly reports. This transpired from the website of Kozloduy NPP…

Bulgaria's Audit Office Finds Illegal Bill 'Cross-Subsidies' – (Novinite) Illegal cross-subsidies are being practiced between heating and electricity bills in Bulgaria, the National Audit Office has stated in its latest report.  The main auditing body has also found out "no adequate control" is being applied in the electricity and natural gas sectors, according to the website Investor.bg…

Bulgaria PM: No grounds to prognosticate gas delivery suspension – (Focus) “Up to the present moment we have no grounds to prognosticate suspension of the gas deliveries,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said speaking at a briefing at the parliament, commenting on the situation in Ukraine, FOCUS News Agency reporter said…

Bulgaria's Dependence on Russian Gas May Prevent Economic Growth – EC – (Novinite) Economic recovery in Bulgaria is expected to firm in 2014 and 2015 as domestic demand gradually strengthens, according to the European Commission's latest forecast.  Growth is projected to broaden and increase gradually to 1.7% in 2014 and 2.0% in 2015, as domestic demand is forecast to recover and complement exports…

EC: Bulgaria’s dependence on Russian gas deliveries could turn into burden for national economy – (Focus) Bulgaria’s economy is expected to strengthen in 2014 and 2015 as the economic growth will reach some 1.7% and 2% of the GDP, the latest forecast of the European Commission shows…

Spanish EQTEC to Build Biomass Power Plant in Southern Bulgaria – (Energetika) The facility will have three generators that will work with synthetic gas derived from straw pellets and wood chips. The total capacity of the plant will be 5 MW and will produce enough electricity to power 2,0...

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia Herzeogina's BH gas may cut off gas to Sarajevogas – (Balkans) Bosnia Herzegovina's BH-Gas has sent a warning letter to Sarajevogas  a deadline on 7 May 2014 for payment of its current obligations; otherwise the flow of gas to that company will be stopped starting from 8 May, announced BH-Gas…

Bosnia's EPBiH gets 12 prequalifying bids in HPP Vranduk tender – (SeeNews) Bosnian power utility Elektroprivreda BiH [SAJ:JPESR] said on Wednesday it has received a total of 12 prequalifying applications in the tender for the construction of the 20 megawatt (MW) Vranduk hydro power plant…

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Croatia

Croatian Sun: Perfect for Solar Cells – (GreenFudge) Solar cells are one of the methods by which we can contribute to better environmental protection. They are a renewable energy source that has great potential as a global alternative to fossil fuels, which are among the other things responsible for global warming or climate change…

Green Action calls on HEP to abandon Plomin C project – (Dalje) The leader of the NGO Green Action, Bernard Ivcic, on Tuesday called on the power supplier HEP to scrap its plan to build the Plomin C thermal power plant due to its negative impact on public health and climate change and its not being cost-efficient…

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Kosovo

Kosovo’s power output rises 8.0% in 2013 – (SeeNews) Kosovo's power plants generated 6.39 million megawatthours (MWh) of electricity in 2013, up 8.0% from 2012, the country's statistics agency said…

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Macedonia

FYR Macedonia: Municipalities join forces to improve energy efficiency – (UNDP) In the former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia, many municipal authorities agree that energy efficiency is a sound economic solution -- they just don’t always know how to attain it. “We know these changes bring long-term savings, and we know they’ll be better for the environment,” says Mitko Vlahov, a civil servant in the town of Bogdanci. “But like with any difficult task, you need to have the know-how and the right equipment…

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Montenegro

An energy defence policy for Europe – (Energy Biz) n January 2009, households across Southeastern Europe were plunged into freezing cold.  At the height of a long-running dispute with Ukraine over unpaid energy bills, Russia cut off natural gas flow to the country's transit pipelines. As 80% of Europe's gas flowed from Russia through Ukraine, the move also denied Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and others…

Montenegrin power TSO CGES Q1 net profit soars – (SeeNews) The net profit of Montenegrin majority state-owned power transmission system operator Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem [MNG:PREN] soared to 4.4 million euro ($3.6 million) in the first quarter of 2014 from 864,200 euro a year earlier, company data indicated…

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Romania

Azerbaijan, Turkey, Romania cooperate to ensure energy security of region – (ACT Media) Azerbaijan, Turkey and Romania are cooperating to ensure the energy security of the region through all the projects planned and implemented, said SOCAR Romania general manager Hamza Karimov…

Chevron starts Romania shale exploration drilling – (Reuters) U.S energy major Chevron has begun drilling for shale gas at its exploration well site in eastern Romania, the company said on Tuesday…

Chevron starts exploration for shale gas in Romania – (The West Australian) US energy major Chevron said Tuesday it has started drilling its first exploration well for shale gas in Romania despite fierce opposition from local residents…

Chevron starts exploration for shale gas in Romania – (PHYS Org) “Chevron can confirm that drilling activities have commenced at its exploration well site" near the village of Silistea in eastern Romania, a Chevron spokesman said.  "The drilling rig is expected to run until the well reaches a target depth of approximately 4000 metres" (13,000 feet), he added…

Chevron starts drilling for shale gas in Romania – (Romania-Insider) Oil and gas company Chevron has started exploring for shale gas in the Romanian village of Pungesti, months after facing disapproval from villagers and Romania environmental activists, some of which even turned violent on the site…

ForMin Corlatean met US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz in Washington – (ACT Media) Romania's Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean, on a visit to the U.S., stressed on Tuesday during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, the interest of the Bucharest authorities in reinforcing the Romania-U.S. Strategic Partnership and in widening its economic dimension, by emphasizing the role of the energy document…

Chevron explores for shale gas in Romania – (News24) US energy major Chevron said on Tuesday it has started drilling its first exploration well for shale gas in Romania despite fierce opposition from local residents…

Europe reports an accelerating fall in CO2 emissions from energy use – (Click Green) The carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion decreased by 2.5% across the European Union last year, according to early estimates published today…

Two more photovoltaic projects granted permission in Romania – (Balkans) The Regulatory Committee of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) green-lighted on April 29 the granting of permits to build two new photovoltaic projects and a wind farm, according to a document posted on the institution's website.Moreover, three photovoltaic projects, two small hydropower plants and a high-efficiency…

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Serbia

Russian South Stream gas pipeline to ensure energy security in Serbia — president – (ITAR TASS) Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic said he was interested in intensifying work on the South Stream project plans to pipe gas under the Black Sea to Bulgaria and then ashore for onward transit to Greece, Italy and Austria…

Serbia reaffirmed the priority of the South Stream gas pipeline – (Balkans) Serbia reaffirmed the priority of the South Stream gas pipeline, said the First Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Ivan Melnikov, after talks with Serbian Assembly Speaker Maja Gojkovic. As Itar-Tass reports, Melnikov said the South Stream project is very important and nothing can cause Serbia to waive its implementation…

Russia, Serbia Confirm Natural Gas Pipeline Plans – (Ria Novosti) The Russian and Serbian foreign ministers said Tuesday their countries were ready to build a major natural gas pipeline to Europe and confirmed that Moscow and Belgrade saw eye to eye on the Ukrainian crisis…

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Armenia

Armenia’s former energy minister appointed advisor to country’s president – (Trend) Armenia's former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Armen Movsisyan has been appointed advisor to the country's president, ARKA news agency reported citing the Armenian presidency…

Prices for electricity can increase in Armenia – (Trend) Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC intends to submit a claim to the country's Public Services Regulatory Commission to increase the tariffs for electricity, Armenia's epress.am website reported citing the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper…

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Azerbaijan

Is the Turkish-Azeri partnership enough for EU energy security? – (Daily News) Two important multilateral meetings took place on Tuesday, one in Tbilisi and the other one in Rome. While Tbilisi hosted the presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia over regional cooperation, in Rome the energy ministers of G-7 countries came together to discuss how to wean Europe off its dependency on Russian gas…

Azerbaijan increases electricity production – (Trend) The power plants of Azerenergy Joint Stock Company, the largest electrical power producer in Azerbaijan, generated about eight billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January-April, 2014, according to the company' message…

Investment costs of alternative energy in Azerbaijan to reduce to 38% due to customs exemptions – (ABC.AZ) The State Agency for Alternative & Renewable Energy, (ABOEMDA) has welcomed the introduction of customs exemptions for the sector of alternative energy and energy efficiency…

“Azerbaijan looks beyond energy successes for economic growth” – (Azernews) The U.S.-based Oil & Gas Journal has published an article titled "Azerbaijan looks beyond energy successes for economic growth", AzerTag state news agency reported.  Written by OGJ Washington Editor Nick Snow, the article reads: "Azerbaijan's growing economy undoubtedly benefits from its oil and gas developments…

U.S. highlights Azerbaijan’s importance as energy supplier – (Azernews) Washington D.C. hosted a U.S.-Azerbaijan Convention titled 'Vision for Future' on April 29-30.  The four sessions held in the framework of the forum covered a wide range of cooperation issues between the U.S. and Azerbaijan…

US-Azerbaijan forum recognises strategic energy partnership – (Energy Global) The US-Azerbaijan: Vision for Future two-day forum, held in Washington, began on 30 April 2014. The event was attended by representatives of US Congress, US Senate and House of Representatives of different states, US Administration…

Alternative energy share in Azerbaijan’s energy balance reaches 1% - (ABC.AZ) The State Agency for Alternative & Renewable Energy (ABOEMDA) reports of multiple rise of the share of alternative energy in the energy balance of Azerbaijan. Agency’s representative Jamil Melikov has stated that if earlier alternative energy (excluding large hydropower plants) provided 0.3-0.5% of the energy balance, now it has grown up to 1%...

Azerbaijani gas not big competitor to Russian gas: SOCAR official – (Azernews) Azerbaijani gas is not a big competitor for the Russian gas at the European market. The remarks were made by Vice President of Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR Elshad Nasirov…

Azerbaijan has ratified Charter of International Renewable Energy Agency – (ABC.AZ) The Azerbaijani parliamentarians have ratified today the Charter of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  Presenting the document, vice speaker Valeh Aleskerov has stated that the main direction of activity of the organization is to achieve a breakthrough in the field of renewable energy and thereby reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, which will ensure climate stability and sustainable economic growth, creation of new jobs…

Azerbaijan to become full member of International Renewable Energy Agency – (ABC.AZ) Azerbaijan is about to become a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  Today the Azerbaijan’s Parliament is going to ratify the IRENA Charter: this issue is listed as the first on agenda…

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Georgia

Turkey, Georgia to construct dam on Kura River – (Trend) He went on to add that during the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Georgia, the two sides reached an agreement on selling electricity to European...

Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey Reiterate Partnership with Trilateral Summit – (Civil) Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turkish presidents, who were gathered in Tbilisi for the first high-level trilateral summit on May 6, have praised close cooperation between the three countries and pledged to further boost the ties…

Turkey's strong relations with Georgia to continue, says Gül – (Cihan) President Abdullah Gül said on Wednesday that large-scale energy and railway projects launched by Turkey and Georgia show that the two countries have strong and enduring relations…

Turkey strengthens cooperation with Georgia, Azerbaijan – (Turkish Press) Energy and transport projects involving Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan are to be discussed "at the highest level", said Turkish President Abdullah Gul as he left for talks in the Tbilisi capital of Georgia…

Turkey strengthens cooperation with Georgia, Azerbaijan – (World Bulletin) Energy and transport projects involving Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan are to be discussed "at the highest level", said Turkish President Abdullah Gul as he left for talks…

Georgian, Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents meet in Tbilisi – (Democracy & Freedom Watch) The presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey met in Tbilisi on Tuesday and celebrated the cooperation between their countries. The summit was initiated by the Turkish president and the main topic was three joint projects. Two of them are already in operation: The 1,760 km long Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and the so-called Shah Deniz gas field…

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Moldova

Biomass fuel brings jobs and energy independence to Moldova – (UNDP) The kindergarten in the village of Ermoclia has declared its independence — energy independence, that is. Instead of struggling to keep students warm with expensive imported gas, the kindergarten now heats up with locally produced biomass fuels…

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Turkey

Turkey: How To Penetrate The Turkish Energy Market? – (Mondaq) Energy market is one of the most preferred markets by investors. Especially within the opening of the energy market to competition to a large extent and the support of energy investments through financial incentives, Turkish energy market attract investors' attention in recent years…

Off-grid electricity production on rise in Turkey – (Turkish Press) Up to 2,000 applicants have filed requests to power distributors to allow them to produce their own electricity, with 1,100 being approved, head of an association of Turkey's off-the-grid electricity producers has said…

TURKEY TO INVEST $118 BILLION ON ENERGY – (Daily Sabah) In order to meet country's increasing energy consumption in future, Turkey is to invest $118 billion by 2023 on energy sector Taner Yıldız, said Friday. The country's energy consumption is expected to double by 2023…

Turkey to heavily invest in its energy sector – (Trend) Turkey is to spend US$118 billion by 2023 on its energy sector Taner Yildiz, the country's energy minister, said . This is because the country's energy consumption is expected to double by 2023 and in order to meet this investment is needed Anadolu Agency reported…

Turkey to heavily invest in its energy sector – (Turkish Press) Turkey is to spend US$118 billion by 2023 on its energy sector Taner Yildiz, the country's energy minister, said Friday. This is because the country's energy consumption is expected to double by 2023 and in order to meet this investment is needed…

Russia has expressed interest in Turkish gas-fired power plants – (Balkans) Russia has expressed interest in acquiring or building Turkish gas-fired power plants and will also propose building a natural gas storage facility here, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız told reporters…

Turkey strategic route for European energy markets – (Business Recorder) Turkey is emerging as a strategic transit route for natural gas after the Ukraine, experts agreed in Washington D.C. during an energy conference held by the Brookings Institution, a foreign affairs think-tank…

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Ukraine

Ukraine’s energy security to be discussed in Brussels next month — Barroso – (ITAR TASS) The European Commission will hold a joint session with representatives of the Ukrainian parliament-appointed authorities in Brussels on June 13 to discuss a range of issues concerning the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the commission’s president said on Wednesday…

Ukraine crisis: Can Ukraine, Russia avoid another gas shutoff? (+video) – (The Christian Science Monitor) Ukraine violence escalated over the weekend and into Monday as pro-Russian militants clashed with Ukraine forces in the east and the Black Sea port city of Odessa. The threat of another natural gas shutoff intensified, too, with Russia and Ukraine failing to agree on terms for paying down Ukraine's gas debt…

G-7 Energy Ministers Focus on Energy Security Amid Ukraine Crisis – (The Wall Street Journal) Energy ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations said Tuesday they are ramping up efforts to strengthen energy security as tensions ratchet higher between Russia and the West over Ukraine…

G7 energy summit backs Ukraine over Russian pressure – (India Times) Energy ministers from the G7 group of leading world economies agreed to help Ukraine after Russia threatened to halt gas supplies over unpaid bills in a move that could create havoc in Europe…

Energy summit backs Ukraine over Russia – (Sky News) Energy ministers from the G7 group of leading world economies have agreed to help Ukraine after Russia threatened to halt gas supplies over unpaid bills in a move that could create havoc in Europe…                                           

US, Germany: Russia faces energy sector sanctions if it disrupts Ukraine vote – (The Christian Science Monitor) President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Friday that the West is prepared to move “in concert” in imposing sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy if Russia’s actions in Ukraine continue in a way that disrupts the strife-torn country’s upcoming national elections…

Big Oil dollars flow into Ukraine, despite conflict – (CNBC) Simmering conflict with Russia has not stopped a number of U.S. and European energy giants from recently investing or exploring investments in Ukraine's fledgling energy sector, according to a former Ukraine government minister who plays a key role in negotiating energy deals in the region…

Kiev Struggles to Break Russia’s Grip on Gas Flow – (The New York Times) As Ukraine tries to contain a pro-Russian insurgency convulsing its eastern region, a perhaps more significant struggle for the country hinges on what happens beneath the ground here in a placid woodland in the far west, on the border with Slovakia…

EU, Russia, Ukraine Plan More Talks on Gas Debt – (The Wall Street Journal) Two further rounds of talks on energy security between the European Union, Ukraine and Russia will be held during May, the European Commission confirmed Tuesday…

Ukraine crisis hardens Brussels stance on Gazprom pipeline – (Financial Times) The EU’s energy chief warned Moscow on Monday that the Ukraine crisis was hardening Brussels’ stance on a gas pipeline that Russia’s Gazprom is planning to build in southeast Europe…

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.