Weekly collection of energy news articles for the region

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October 2, 2014       USEA 7th Annual Energy Supply Forum. Washington, DC 

Albania

Energy Sector, World Bank gives Albania $ 150 million – (Albeu) In a statement the World Bank said that the Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday a $ 150 million fund to finance the the Energy Sector in Albania.  The statement came from Tahseen Sayed, the new manager of World Bank, according to which, the project will support reforms in Albania's energy sector, focusing particularly on improving the power supply and the financial sustainability of the sector…

World Bank approves $150m for energy sector recovery program for Albania – (EBR) The World Bank has approved IBRD financing of $150m for the Albania's Power Sector Recovery and Reforms Project.  The Power Recovery Project in Albania aims to support power sector reforms in order to enhance the electricity supply reliability and the financial viability of the sector…

World Bank approves US$150 million project for Albania's power sector recovery and reforms – (The World Bank) The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$150 million in IBRD financing for the Power Recovery Project in Albania. The project will support Albania’s power sector reforms, particularly to improve the reliability of the electricity supply and the financial viability of the sector…

Albania Borrows $150 Million to Improve Power Grid – (ABC News) The World Bank is lending Albania $150 million (€118 million) to help overhaul its dysfunctional state-run power sector and pay for electricity imports from other Balkan states…

World Bank lends Albania $150 million to overhaul ailing state-run power sector – (Fox Business) The World Bank is lending Albania $150 million (€118 million) to help overhaul its dysfunctional state-run power sector and pay for electricity imports from other Balkan states.  The Energy Ministry said Tuesday the loan will also be used to boost the efficiency of bill collection from power consumers — some 400,000 of whom have been cut off over the past year for outstanding debts…

Albania's minister sounds alarm bell over finance problem of energy system – (DTT-Net) 29 September 2014, Tirana, dtt-net.com - Albania's Minister of Energy, Damian Gjiknuri said that the financial situation of country's energy system is "extremely difficult', despite some improvements in terms of bill payments by consumers this year…

Albania to Modernise Street Lighting System – (Energetika) “Systems are autonomous for several days, even when it rains. They help the budget of municipalities, because they do not have to pay as long as there is lighting autonomy,” said Benet Beci, Director of the Albanian…

Albania heading toward energy market liberalization – (DTT-Net) 01 October 2014, Tirana, dtt-net.com – Albanian government is about to initiate first legislation changes aimed at opening its energy market hoping to overcome current serious problems the sector is facing for quite some time already…

Albania Starts Consultation on Draft Power Sector Law – (Energetika) Minister of energy and industry Damian Gjiknuri stated that the power sector must operate in full compliance with the principles of a free market, that it must be liberalised, competitive, and able to ensure it…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria hikes electricity prices to plug funding shortage – (Reuters) Bulgaria hiked electricity prices by nearly 10 percent on Wednesday in an effort to cut huge deficits in the Balkan country's energy sector, triggering protests in front of the state regulator's offices.  Hundreds of Bulgarians gathered outside the headquarters of the energy regulator in central Sofia, hurling eggs at the building and clashing with riot police…

Electricity prices in Bulgaria increase by close to 10% on October 1 – (Sofia Globe) Bulgaria’s State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) approved on October 1 electricity price increases of an average 9.79 per cent, effective immediately.  The increases vary among the areas served by the three energy distribution companies…

Bulgarian Energy Watchdog to Decide on Electricity Bills – (Novinite) A final decision is expected Tuesday at the state energy regulator DKEVR about the price hike in electricity to be enforced on October 1.  The increase is likely to be of 10 percent, according to preliminary estimates and also to numerous statements recently made by DKEVR officials…

Ahead of elections, Bulgarian politicians make power play over electricity price increase – (Sofia Globe) It is high time for an end to using energy issues for political purposes, the head of Bulgaria’s energy regulator said on September 29. With the regulator due to announce electricity price increases just a few days before early elections, it is a faint hope.  It should be left to the next government to allow matters to be decided on a purely technical and economic basis, Svetla Todorova, head of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, said…

Rosen Plevneliev Urges Prompt Energy Sector Reforms – (Novinite) Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev urged prompt reforms of the country's energy sector, first thing after the elections next week.  In an interview for the bTV national channel, Plevneliev warned that unless the reforms are carried out immediately, the country might face “dramatic consequences, including bankruptcy”…

Analysis of Bulgaria’s energy sector would show electricity tariff shouldn’t be hiked but should be decreased: politician – (Focus) ”Time to increase the electricity price was not randomly selected,” said Valeri Simeonov, co-chair of the Patriotic Front VMRO-NFSB coalition, in an interview with Radio FOCUS – Burgas.  The increase is expected to be officially announced on Tuesday after a sitting of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC)…

Power Price Hike as of October is Unavoidable – Bulgaria’s Energy Minister – (Novinite) Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Economy and Energy Vasil Shtonov has argued that the power price hike by 10% as of October 1 is an unavoidable step for the stabilization of the market.  Speaking Friday at an extraordinary briefing, Shtonov informed that the National Electric Company (NEK) had run up a deficit of around BGN 3 B, with BGN 1.5 B of the total generated by projects such as the Tsankov Kamak Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Belene nuclear power plant, and the remainder of the sum attributable to an imbalance…

Bulgaria's energy board disusses urgent tasks in the electricity sector – (Balkans) Urgent tasks that the thematic working group within Bulgaria's Electricity sector needs to examine were one of the central topics of discussion at the second meeting of the Energy Board, which ended late last night. The meeting was chaired by Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Investment Planning Ekaterina Zaharieva. Serious technical, financial and social imbalances have accumulated within the sector and a huge deficit poses a threat to the system…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia's EPBiH shortlists seven firms for 20 MW hydropower project – (Reuters) Bosnia's top power utility EPBiH has shortlisted seven firms out of 12 bidders to help build a 20 megawatt (MW) hydropower plant on the Bosna river, it said on Thursday.  The candidates are China's Dongfang Electric Corp and China International Water & Electric Corp, as well as Austrian construction firm Strabag in a consortium with a unit of Croatian engineering group Koncar…

Croatia  

After Nuclear Plant – Joint LNG Terminal? – (Energetika) In the meeting, Ivan Vrdoljak and Vojko Volk discussed economic cooperation between their respective countries, with a focus on energy. In their view, the project with the best prospects for cooperation is…

Croatia Receives Acceptable Proposal for Montenegro-Italy Power Cable Route – (Energetika) The ministry repeatedly suggested to the Italian company Terna that the route of the cable should not exceed the extension of the territorial sea border between Croatia and Montenegro, and the border on the construction…

CEO of Hrvatska Elektroprivreda Assures Croatia will have Enough Gas in Winter – (Energetika) Jukić, as quoted by Glas Slavonije, said HEP is always prepared for alternatives. Read also Croatian HEP to Award Grants for Energy-Efficient or Renewable Products and New CEO of Croatia’s HEP is Perica Jukić…

Croatia day-ahead electricity exchange delayed to Q1 ’15 – (ICIS) The launch of Croatia’s day-ahead electricity exchange CROPEX has been pushed back to the first quarter of next year, a representative of the company told ICIS on Thursday.  The exchange was previously expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year ( see EDEM 19 June 2014 )…

Kosovo

Kosovo Still Wants to Become Part of European Energy Market – (Energetika) Once again Fadil Ismajli stressed that Kosovo remains committed to becoming part of a Pan-European energy market, and will do its best to contribute to this market. Noteworthy contributions include its human and…

EUR 30 Million of EBRD's Money for Kosovar Transmission Development Project – (Energetika) KOSTT is a 100%-state-owned power utility responsible for electricity transmission in Kosovo. Following the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo relating to energy, Transmission, System, and Market Operator j.s…

Macedonia 

Macedonia launches energy efficiency campaign – (DTT-Net) A conference was hold in capital Skopje part of the upcoming energy efficiency campaign that the country is about to launch…

EVN Macedonia to deploy 18 000 ADDAX meters – (PennEnergy) EVN awarded ADD Bulgaria, ADD GRUP’s partner in Bulgaria, the tender for the deployment of 18 000 AMI meters to its grid in FYRM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). As a result of ADDAX implementation EVN Bulgaria could finally reduce non-technical losses…

In July, Macedonia Spent 177.078 MWh of Electricity – (Energetika) According to the data, in July this year the gross inland consumption of electricity was 177.078 MWh, which is 6.8% less than in July 2013. For households, 203.796 MWh was spent.Total gross electricity production…

Montenegro

Western Balkans to Form List of 10 Pilot Projects of Common Interest (PCI) – (Energetika) It is about defining the priority projects of regional importance and the implementation of which will be the result of regional initiatives, the Montenegrin ministry of economy reported. It is expected the…

Montengrin PM Djukanović: IAP Pipeline of Utmost Importance – (Energetika) It is very important that with the support of the EU we jointly conceive a strategic programme of major investments, linking infrastructure in transport, energy, and information technology, said Djukanovic, who…

Romania

Exporter goes to arbitrage against Romanian state electricity producer – (Romania-Insider) EFT Elveţia, a company which has been exporting electricity from Romania since 2001, has opened an arbitrage case at the Arbitrage Court in Bern against Romanian state-owned electricity producer Hidroelectrica, after the state company unilaterally canceled their export contracts in 2012…

Romania pitches itself as next big thing in energy – (Houston Chronicle) As energy production declines in Romania, the country is urging American investors to pump their money and technology into the Eastern European country as it seeks to develop its shale and deep-water capabilities.  Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and a delegation of government leaders made their case to oil industry leaders Friday that the country has undertaken…

Romanian electricity grid operator revamps important power node – (Romania-Insider) Romanian electricity grid operator Transelectrica will spend some EUR 30 million on revamping the power transformer station at Bradu, which ensures high power connections between Romania’s regions of Muntenia and Oltenia and Transylvania, the company has announced…

Romania's Transelectrica with EUR 29.4 Million Deal for Substation Upgrade – (Energetika) According to Transelectrica, the Bradu substation is an important junction in the power system's national and transit connections, because it provides power from areas with surplus electricity (Muntenia and Olt…

Romania’s final consumption of energy to soar 40 percent this decade – (Business Review) The country’s final consumption of primary energy is estimated to reach 31,9 million tons of oil equivalent (tep) by 2020, representing an increase of 30.5 percent against 2010, according to the national action plan in the energy efficiency sectors, published by the department of energy, reports Agerpres newswire…

EIB Considers Lending EUR 97 Million for Thermal Rehabilitation in Bucharest – (Energetika) In total 555 buildings with 45,537 apartments will be refurbished. The investment will focus on thermal energy-efficiency improvements of the building envelope (wall insulation, windows, roof and cellar…

E.On Romania head cautious over gas price liberalization – (Business Review) Frank Hajdinjak, CEO of E.On Romania, part of the German utility firm E.On, has warned the market that the price of domestic gas traded on the energy exchange OPCOM could spike if the country faces a gas crisis that coincides with peak consumption period and the continued liberalization of gas prices for industry…

Romanian PM: We Must Use Shale Gas – (Energetika) The United States already became the largest producer of gas this year, and this has a very positive impact on American economy and energy safety. Due to this, Romania, Poland, and Lithuania, the countries closest…

Serbia

EBRD promotes energy efficiency in Serbia – (Cistran Finance) Experts in efficient energy, government officials, national and international investors discussed on Wednesday the potential of increased innovation in the delivery of municipal services in Serbia.  The ESCO Opportunity: Improving Energy Efficiency in Public Facilities conference, co-hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce…

EBRD: In Serbia Funds Worth €130 Million could Lead to €30 Million Savings in Energy – (Energetika) Serbia introduced innovative approaches to the delivery of municipal services, such as energy performance contracting (EnPC), improvements to the tendering process, and increased participation of private energy…

Coal Power Plant Kostolac in Cold Reserve until Start of Heating Season – (Energetika) “Our primary activity is the production of electricity, but additionally we also manufacture thermal energy,” said Zoran Stanojević, Director for producing electricity at PD TE-KO Kostolac. “Ahead of us is the…

Serbia faces financial sanctions amid breach of EU energy rules – (DTT-Net) Top representatives of European Energy Community warned Serbian authorities that European funds to country's energy system could suspended unless Belgrade stops flirting with Russia’s gas giant Gazprom and ends breaching EU energy rules…

Serbia to begin construction of Russia’s gas pipeline stretch next month, or November – (DTT-Net) Serbian energy representatives said the country is to begin construction its own stretch of the Russian Gas South Stream pipeline in October or November, despite EU discord which accuses Belgrade of breaching European energy rules…

Huge Revenues for Serbia from South Stream; Bulgaria to Start Construction in November – (Energetika) “We expect the construction work to begin by the end of October or beginning of November, depending on weather conditions. We will shortly receive a building permit, funding was also provided, pipeline capacity…

Serbia turns to Hungary for gas as its inflows from Russia down – (Reuters) Serbia's chief gas distributor said it hoped to reserve 200 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas in neighbouring Hungary for the coming winter, while its own inflows of Russian gas were down by 20 percent for a third day on Friday…

Armenia

Energy development program to be ready in Armenia this year – (ARKA) Comprehensive measures are being worked out now in Armenia under the prime minister’s instruction for further development of energy, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Yervand Zakharyan said Friday as discussed the matter with heads of the concerned agencies and representatives of the World Bank at a meeting initiated by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan…

EBRD to continue funding Armenia regardless of country’s accession to EEU – (ARMENPRESS) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will not stop funding Armenia irrespective of Armenia’s affiliation to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), EBRD Financial Institutions’ Director for Central Asia, Caucuses and Mongolia, Mike Taylor stated at a conference on trade funding…

Armenia nuclear plant will suspend operations for 1.5 months – (ARMENPRESS) The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) will be disconnected from the country’s energy grid as of Saturday, September 27, at 00:00am.  The Department for Mass Media and Public Relations of the Power Plant informed Armenpress that the plant will suspend operations to undergo annual scheduled repairs and refueling…

Analytical discussion on Armenia’s energy sector was held – (Times.am) Chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, an analytical discussion was held today on Armenia’s energy sector. In attendance were the heads of stakeholder agencies and the representatives of the World Bank. Press service of Armenian Government informs about this…

Azerbaijan  

Azerbaijan to establish new electricity generating capacity – (Azernews) Azerbaijan is set to establish new electricity generating capacity in renewable energy as of 2015.  The State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources plans to launch a project with a total capacity of 300 megawatts, Head of the Agency Akim Badalov said…

Energy efficiency in Azerbaijan gets $3m boost – (Energy News Live) A London-based bank is providing $3 million (£1.8m) for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan.  Muganbank will lend the cash to households and businesses to finance green and energy-saving projects such as double-glazed windows, solar water heaters, insulation and roof-top solar installations…

The first bank in Azerbaijan starts to boost solar batteries installation – (ABC.AZ) According to EBRD, the facility will be used for on-lending to qualifying corporate and individual customers for industrial and residential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  The facility will allow Muganbank to help local entrepreneurs and households to acquire and install more energy efficient equipment, appliances and materials, including but not limited to modern production facilities, double-glazed windows, insulation, gas boilers, solar water heaters and rooftop solar panels…

Ahmet Davutoglu: Turkey and Azerbaijan create an energy corridor – (News.AZ) "Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), which is one of the most important energy projects in the region, will connect the South Caucasus with the Balkan countries."  Oxu.Az reports with reference to APA-Economics that the statement came from the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu speaking on Turkish channel TRT…

ADB ready to invest in electricity sector of Azerbaijan – (Trend) The Asian Development Bank plans to allocate $140 million on the development of energy sector in Azerbaijan over 3 years, stated the bank's new strategy of…

The Asian Development Bank approved a strategy for Azerbaijan including $752 million financial assistance – (ABC.AZ) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Azerbaijan have agreed to a country partnership strategy for 2014-2018 to help diversify the economy and foster new economic opportunities, promote inclusive growth, and reduce urban-rural disparities.  “ADB’s strategic approach in Azerbaijan focuses on infrastructure in transport, energy, and water, and other urban infrastructure and services,” said Olly Norojono, ADB’s Resident Representative for Azerbaijan…

Preparations for alternative energy investment program started in Azerbaijan – (ABC.AZ) Preparations for alternative energy investment program have been started in Azerbaijan. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance the works within the technical assistance in the alternative energy sector of Azerbaijan. The material is distributed only on private subscription conditions. If you are interested in it please contact the Marketing Service of Fineko Agency…

Georgia

Georgia increases oil, gas import from Azerbaijan – (Azernews) Georgia has increased import of Azerbaijani gas by 15 percent. Georgia imported 858,520 metric tons of natural gas in oil equivalent worth $176.72 million from Azerbaijan in January-August, a report by the Georgian National Statistics Service's foreign trade said…

Georgia intends to ratify loan agreement on energy project with IBRD – (Trend) The Georgian parliament intends to ratify the agreement on a loan worth $ 60 million with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD - a structural unit of the World Bank)…

Georgia increases import of Azerbaijani gas by 15 percent – (Trend) Georgia imported 858,520 metric tons of natural gas in oil equivalent worth $176.72 million from Azerbaijan in January-August 2014, the Georgian National Statistics Service’s foreign trade report says…

Georgia’s oil and gas corporation starts rehabilitation of main gas pipeline – (Trend) Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation started the rehabilitation works at the 25-kilometer stretch of the Red Bridge-Marneuli main gas pipeline (border with Azerbaijan).  Some 20 percent of the work has already been completed…

Moldova

Romania to deliver cheaper gas to Moldova – (Romania-Insider) Romania’s state-owned gas producer Romgaz and OMV Petrom, the largest local oil&gas, both sent offers to the Moldovan state-owned gas company to deliver gas from Romania to Moldova, according to Romania’s Energy Department.  These gas exports should be made through the Iasi – Ungheni pipeline, which was inaugurated earlier this year…

Empty Pipeline Shows Difficulty Of Breaking Moldova's Gazprom Addiction – (Radio Free Europe) Moldova faces a tough road in its bid to reduce dependence on Russian natural gas.  That's about the only thing that is clear so far in the strange story of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline from Romania to the western border region of Moldova. The gas interconnector -- which cost 28 million euros, including 7 million from the European Union -- was opened to great fanfare at a ceremony on Moldova's National Day -- August 27…

Pipeline Delays May See Moldova Return To Russia For Its Gas – (Oil Price) While the cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian and Russian fighters holds steady, another fight is poised to begin over Russian gas for Ukraine. And, this time, it’s a fight that, by default, involves Ukraine’s small, pro-Western neighbor, Moldova, too…

Moldova wants to receive Romanian gas at a 20% lower cost than the one of Gazprom – (Focus) Romania offered Moldova a gas price which is 20% lower than the Gazprom’s price. The contract may be signed the next few days. The information came by the Economy Minister Adrian Candu during a press conference in Kishinev, reported RIA Novosti…

Turkey

Turkey unveils 9 percent hike on natural gas, electricity prices – (Hurriyet Daily News) The Turkish government has announced a massive hike of 9 percent on natural gas and electricity bills, citing pressure from the increase in dollar currency exchange-rate levels and the low levels of rainfall across the country…

Turkish electricity and gas bills go up 9 pct – (World Bulletin) Turkish gas and electricity customers will see their bills go up by nine percent next month, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz announced on Tuesday.  The price hike is due to the rising strength of the dollar against the Turkish lira as Turkey buys energy in dollars and sells in liras. If the dollar rises then the government has to make up the difference with a price increase…

UPDATE 2-Turkey hikes energy prices, pushing 2014 inflation forecasts above 9 pct – (Reuters) Turkey will hike electricity and natural gas prices by 9 percent from October, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Tuesday, blaming a weaker currency for the price hikes in the heavily import-dependent country…

Turkish president: “We extended east-west energy corridor jointly with Azerbaijan” – (APA) “We extended east-west energy corridor jointly with Azerbaijan and friend countries”, said teh Turkish Presidnet Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the World Economic Forum, APA reports quoting Aksam newspaper…

Azerbaijan, Turkey create energy corridor by implementing joint projects – (Azernews) Azerbaijan and Turkey have created an energy corridor connecting East and West. The two countries were able to reach this goal by implementing joint projects in the region, Turkish media reported on September 29 citing Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan…

Russia, Turkey to Raise Blue Stream Gas Pipeline Annual Volume to 19Bln Cubic Meters – (Ria Novosti) Russia and Turkey have agreed to increase the flow of gas through the Blue Stream pipeline from 16 billion cubic meters to 19 cubic meters annually, according to a Gazprom statement published Wednesday…

TURKEY TO INCREASE GAS CAPACITY FROM RUSSIA – (Daily Sabah) Turkey and Russian energy giant Gazprom have agreed to increase the capacity of the Blue Stream natural gas pipeline, which carries Russian gas to Turkey via the Black Sea…

Reuters: Russia's Gazprom says gas flows to Turkey at record high – (Kyiv Post) Russian natural gas producer Gazprom said on Oct. 1 its gas flows to Turkey were set to reach a record high of 30 billion cubic metres this year from 25.6 bcm last year on rising demand…

Ukraine

The Black Sea: A New Frontier for Energy Geopolitics? – (Oil Price) Halliburton may be interested in Romania’s offshore oil fields, but it could face a challenge from a bolstered Russian presence in the Black Sea.  Russia’s claim to the Crimean Peninsula, and collocated military assets, pose a notable security threat to the longstanding maritime division of the Black Sea. The Exclusive Economic Zones, as well as territorial and contiguous zones with oil and gas resources, are possibly vulnerable to Russian interference. Even the threat of military presence may increase investment risks in the Romanian and Ukrainian offshore oil sector…

Director presents 2014 Implementation Report at Ukrainian Parliament Hearing – (Energy Community) The day after the Energy Community Ministerial Council in Kyiv, Director Kopač presented Ukraine’s state of implementation of the Energy Community Treaty based on the Secretariat’s 2014 Annual Implementation Report, released on 18 September. At the hearing chaired by Mykola Martynenko, the Chairman of the Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety, Director Kopač addressed an audience of members of parliament, government officials and representatives of civil society…

Government is to encourage the transition from gas to alternative fuel tariffs – (EUEA) Government adopted a decree "On stimulating the replacement of natural gas while electric power generation for institutions and organizations financed from the state and local budgets” (in Ukrainian). The decree provides for simplification of tariff for the production of thermal energy from other fuels supplied to the public sector. Its essence lies in the “equal treatment tariff” for heat energy produced from imported natural gas and the tariff for heat energy generated using other types of fuel and energy sources…

Ukraine ready to implement an alternative energy programme – (Caspian Energy) Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Ostap Semerak said that "the Government in recent months took a number of important decisions that would enable Ukrainians to meet this winter."? Caspian Energy News reports with reference to the Department of Information and Communication of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministries of Ukraine…

Russia’s Gazprom and Ukraine are in a gas dispute as winter approaches – (The Washington Post) The frigid water that comes out of the “hot” faucet of Alexander Korniienko’s shower in Kiev is a warning for his nation: After months without natural gas shipments from Russia, Ukraine may be facing a chilly winter…

Ukraine Energy Minister Says Trilateral Gas Talks Could Be Held Friday – (Ria Novosti) Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said Wednesday trilateral energy security talks in the EU-Russia-Ukraine format are likely to be held on Friday.  "I will hold a bilateral meeting with the European Commission tomorrow [on Thursday] in Brussels. On Friday, a trilateral meeting [involving Russia] is possible," Prodan told reporters…

Ukraine-EU gas talks to be held in Brussels October 2 — Ukrainian minister – (TASS) Gas talks between Ukraine and the EU will be held in Brussels on October 2, the Bloomberg news agency quoted Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan as saying on Wednesday…

European Commission, Russia working on further gas talks – (Reuters) The European Commission said on Wednesday it was still working on setting a date for further talks with Ukraine and Russia to tackle the dispute over Kiev's unpaid gas bill…

REFILE-Winter season heightens Russia-Europe gas game – (Reuters) A cat and mouse game is on between Europe and Russia over gas supplies as the continent switches into the winter heating season.  Since September, Russia's state-controlled Gazprom has sent less-than-requested deliveries to Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary - after the European Union began sending gas to Ukraine - in a clear warning from Moscow...

Ukraine’s Naftogaz calls for new gas transit deal with Russia – (TASS) Ukraine cannot guarantee reliable Russian gas transit supplies through the country, Ukrainian state-run oil and gas holding Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said in an interview with German business daily Handelsblatt on Monday…

Kyivenergo: Naftogaz ignoring Prodan's order to supply gas to Kyiv combined heat power plant – (Kyiv Post) Naftogaz Ukrainy is ignoring the letter of Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan on gas supplies to Kyiv combined heat power plant (CHPP)-6 to provide hot water to the residential areas of Troyeschyna, Lisova, Obolon and Podil, as well as the participation of the station in electricity supplies in Kyiv, director of the Kyivski Teplovi Merezhi…

Naftogaz ignoring Prodan's order to supply gas to Kyiv CHPP-6 – Kyivenergo – (Interfax-Ukraine) Naftogaz Ukrainy is ignoring the letter of Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan on gas supplies to Kyiv combined heat power plant (CHPP)-6 to provide hot water to the residential areas of Troyeschyna, Lisova, Obolon and Podil, as well as the participation of the station in electricity supplies in Kyiv, director of the Kyivski Teplovi Merezhi (Kyiv Thermal Networks) subdivision of PJSC Kyivenergo Yevhen Hlushak has said…

Ukraine to seek broad natgas deal with Russians, energy minister says – (Ukrainian Journal) Ukraine will seek a broad deal with Russia to include natural gas prices, gas debt payment schedule and transit of Russian gas to Europe, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan said Tuesday.  The comment comes days after Russia and Ukraine have failed to make significant progress in talks over resumption of Russian natural gas supplies…

Ukraine coal mines fall silent amid crisis – (Deutsche Welle) As fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, the crisis has started to take a heavy toll on one of the country's main revenue sources - its coal industry. Our reporter Kitty Logan sent this report…

First vessel with coal from South Africa to dock in Ukraine on Oct 16-20, says Ukrinterenergo – (Interfax-Ukraine) A first vessel with coal from South Africa will dock in the Ukrainian maritime merchandise port on October 16-20, Director of Ukrinterenergo state enterprise which ordered coal has reported.  A total of 85,000 tonnes of coal has been loaded on TX Scotian vessel. The vessel is on the way from the port of Richards Bay to Ukraine…

First vessel with coal from South Africa to come to Ukraine - Mr Zinevych – (Coal Guru) Mr Volodymyr Zinevych director of Ukrinterenergo state enterprise said that a first vessel with coal from South Africa will dock in Ukraine on October 15th to 19th.  Mr Zinevych said that “We expect that tentatively on October 15th to 19th the first three vessels will arrive. We'll have to switch to the DDP price so that the seller pays for the delivery to station…

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