Europe & Eurasia Energy News Articles for April 25, 2014
Weekly collection of energy news articles for the region. Click on the links for access to original publications
USAID/USEA ETAG Upcoming Events
June 2-3 USAID/USEA Southeast Europe Distribution System Operator (DSO) Working Group Meeting
June 4-5 USAID/USEA Dynamic Analysis Training
June 6 USAID/USEA Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative Transmission System Planning Project (SECI) Working Group Meeting
June 9-10 USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning Project (BSTP) Dynamic Analysis Training Tbilisi, Georgia
June 11 USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning Project (BSTP) Working Group Meeting Tbilisi, Georgia
June 12 Joint Working Group Meeting: USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning Project (BSTP) & USAID/NARUC Black Sea Regulatory Initiative (BSRI) Tbilisi, Georgia
June 13 USAID/USEA Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey (AGT) Power Bridge Project Working Group Meeting Tbilisi, Georgia
USEA Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum
Exelon Urges Lawmakers to Take Hard Look at Energy Policies to Preserve Benefits of Nation’s Nuclear Plants – (BusinessWire) WASHINGTON, Apr 23, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Unless policymakers take action soon, a series of additional early nuclear power plant retirements could threaten the reliability of the nation’s electric grid and hinder the country’s ability to meet its carbon reduction goals, Exelon Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer William A. Von Hoene, Jr. told members of the United States Energy Association (USEA) today…
Grid May Not Be Ready To Lose Coal, FERC Official Says – (Law360) Washington (April 23, 2014, 6:28 PM ET) -- Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Philip Moeller worried on Wednesday that the electric grid doesn't have the infrastructure to replace retiring coal and nuclear plants, saying some U.S. regions could be subject to rolling blackouts due to energy deficits in the next few years…
DOE's Moniz Calls For 'Urgency' In Climate Change Action– (Law360) Washington (April 23, 2014, 7:46 PM ET) -- Energy Secretary Ernest J. Moniz said Wednesday the agency plans to harness all of its administrative authority to curb greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, maintaining its needs to take urgent action rather than waiting for congressional legislation...
Albania
Romania, to export one billion euro worth of electricity per year to Albania– (ACT Media) Romanian Economy Minister Constantin Nita and his Albanian counterpart on Wednesday agreed on a contract of one billion euro worth of electricity per year to be exported from Romania to Albania, governmental sources told Agerpres on Thursday…
Need for Strong and Large-Scale Southern Energy Corridor– (Azernews) During the meeting, Dr. Aliyev highlighted the importance of the Shah Deniz II Final Investment Decision (FID) signed in December 2013. "To finally have a decision about the upstream portion of Shah Deniz II was very important for Azerbaijan because it requires a large investment of approximately $27 billion…
Albania awards electricity trading licence to local co Ayen Energy Trading– (SeeNews) Albania’s energy regulator said it has awarded an electricity trading licence to local company Ayen Energy Trading...
Snow disrupts Albanian traffic, electricity supply– (ShanghaiDaily) Snowfalls sweeping the north and southeast Albania on Wednesday has disrupted traffic and electricity supply in some part of the Southeastern European country, authorities said…
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s National Electricity Company Will not Go Bankrupt, Energy Minister Claims– (Publics) Bulgarian economy and energy minister Dragomir Stoinev reasured that the country’s state-owned National Electricity Company (NEC) will not go bankrupt. No exact data about the company's financial state were released however…
Turkey to Import Electricity from Bulgaria due to Dry Spell – (Novinite) Turkey will import electricity from Bulgaria due to the extended dry spell in the country, according to Taner Yildiz, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Turkey's Energy Minister, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), told journalists in Bursa that the water resources in the dams had decreased substantially…
Turkey will import electricity from Bulgaria– (Balkans) Turkey will import electricity from Bulgaria due to the prolonged drought in the country, said Taner Yildiz, Minister of energy and natural resources of Turkey. The dam resources in the east and southeast of the country have decreased drastically, he added…
UPDATE 1-Bulgarian minister makes passionate case for South Stream pipeline– (Reuters) Russia's South Stream pipeline project must not be blocked for political reasons and Bulgaria plans to start construction this year despite the standoff between the West and Moscow over Ukraine, Bulgaria's energy minister said on Thursday…
Bulgaria Energy Minister, EU Commissioner to Extend South Stream Talks – (Novinite) Bulgarian Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev and EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger discussed the South Stream gas pipeline project at a meeting on Thursday morning...
Bulgaria will receive zero compensation for South Stream project: Georgi Parvanov – (Focus) Bulgaria does not need souring of the relations with Russia. That is what Georgi Parvanov, President of Bulgaria / 2002-2012 / said at the meeting with farmers and representatives of small and medium business in Pernik village of Divotino, the press office of the ABV announced. Parvanov is clear that the deterioration of relations with Russia will be a huge blow for the Bulgarian economy…
Today’s situation in Bulgaria energy sector caused by CEDB’s incompetent way of governing: minister – (Focus) Today’s situation in the Bulgarian energy sector was caused by the incompetent way of governing of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB) in the 2009 – 2013 period. Dragomir Stoynev, Minister of Economy and Energy, made the comment, speaking at a briefing, FOCUS News Agency reported…
Ex Bulgarian President: Bulgaria Must Oppose South Stream Suspension – (Novinite) Bulgaria's official stance on the South Stream gas pipeline project has to oppose its suspension, according to former two-term Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov. Speaking during a Wednesday visit to Blagoevgrad, he criticized the activities of the socialist-led coalition government and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev…
Bulgarian minister makes passionate case for South Stream pipeline– (Standart) Russia's South Stream pipeline project must not be blocked for political reasons and Bulgaria plans to start construction this year despite the standoff between the West and Moscow over Ukraine, Bulgaria's energy minister said on Thursday…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Elektroprivreda HZHB Threatens to Cut off Power Supply to Mostar-Based Aluminij– (Energetika) If by 24 April, the Board of Directors of Aluminij fails to submit its proposal for debt repayment, EP HZHB will have to first gradually reduce its power supply to Aluminij d.d. Mostar, until the supply is cut...
UK's Kermas joins 51 MW wind park project in Bosnia as strategic partner – media – (SeeNews) UK-based diversified holding Kermas will invest 150 million marka ($105.7 million/76.7 million euro) in a 51 megawatt (MW) wind park in Bosnia’s Serb Republic as a strategic partner of local company Eol Prvi, local media reported…
Croatia
Economy minister presents investment potential of energy projects– (Dalje) It is possible to invest nine billion euros into a total of 36 energy projects which are currently at various stages in Croatia, Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak told reporters while attending the Brown Forum in Zagreb on Thursday…
Croatia tries to become regional energy hub: economy minister – (Shanghai Daily) Croatian Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak said on Thursday that his country is making efforts to become a regional energy hub by developing oil and gas exploration terminal projects…
EU energy efficiency off track – (European Voice) European Union member states are far behind in developing plans to meet new energy efficiency requirements, according to a report published today (23 April). Under the energy efficiency directive, agreed in 2012, member states must put in place plans to achieve energy savings of 1.5% from 2014 to 2020. However an analysis of the first batch of national strategies shows that only three countries have plans that are credible – Denmark, Ireland and Croatia…
NGO criticises gov't for not investing enough in energy efficiency – (Dalje) The Croatian environmental non-governmental organisation Green Action on Tuesday criticised the government for not investing enough in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources…
Kosovo
Kosovo Press Review- April 23, 2014– (Balkan Insight) Reductions of electric energy have sparked a debate in the Kosovo parliament. Minister of energy accused the Kosovo Electricity Distribution and Supply Company for failure in offering electric energy to all regions across the country…
Macedonia
Energy Community Regulatory Board underlines the importance of the establishment of the Coordination Auction Office in South East Europe– (Energy Community) At the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) meeting on 15 April in Athens, President Branislav Prelevic underlined the significance of the Coordination Auction Office in South East Europe (SEE CAO), established on 27 March, as the first truly practical regional project in the 8th Region…
Montenegro
Planned Balkan coal plants may breach EU pollution limits– (Euractiv) A new wave of coal plants in aspirant EU member states, authorised by the Energy Community, risk breaching EU pollution limits if they proceed according to their stated plans, an EU law firm says…
Romania
State-owned Hidroelectrica becomes energy market leader in Romania– (Shanghai Daily) Romania's Hidroelectrica became the largest power producer nationwide in 2013, with 28.2 percent market share, up from 22.8 percent in 2012, according to a latest report released by the National Energy Regulatory Authority…
Electricity consumption down 5% in Romania, Hidroelectrica becomes largest producer in 2013 – (Romania-Insider) Romania used 5 percent less electricity in 2013 on the year before, in total some 49 TWh, according to a recent report on the electricity market, published by the National Energy Regulation Authority ANRE. Electricity consumption had reached 52.3 TWh in 2012…
Romania to exempt heavy industry from green energy costs – (EurActiv) Romania plans to exempt large industrial energy users from paying up to 85% of their renewable energy costs for 10 years, the economy ministry said on Thursday (17 April), hoping to avoid the threat of job cuts in an election year…
Romania aims to exempt heavy industry from green energy costs – (Reuters) Romania plans to exempt large industrial energy users from paying up to 85 percent of their renewable energy costs for 10 years, the economy ministry said on Thursday, hoping to avoid the threat of job cuts in an election year…
Romania exempts green certificates costs from large industrial energy users – (Balkans) Romania plans to exempt large industrial energy users from paying up to 60% of their renewable energy costs for 10 years, the economy ministry said on Thursday (17 April), hoping to avoid the threat of job cuts in an election year…
Romanian power consumption down 5 pct in 2013 to 49.6 TWh – (ACTMedia) Romania used 49.69 TWh of electric power in 2013, by 5 percent less than in 2012, according to the latest report on the power market released by the National Energy Regulatory Authority.The Romanian domestic consumption totalled 52.36 TWh in 2012…
Romania’s Nuclearelectrica plans to sell EUR 15 mln worth of electricity on local power exchange OPCOM – (Romania-Insider) Romanian state-owned company Nuclearelectrica, which runs the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, plans to sell electricity worth RON 66 million (or some EUR 14.8 million) on the local power exchange OPCOM. The company wants to sell almost 400,000 MWh of electricity through several bids scheduled for April 28…
Romania: Chevron Receives Authorisation for Shale Gas Exploration Well in Vaslui County – (Energetika) According to Dumitru Buzatu, President of Vaslui County Council, all legal requirements for issuing the permit were met. In the beginning of 2014, Chevron received from the Agency for Environment Protection...
Serbia
Serbia's gas operators under EU pressure– (UPI) Serbian gas pipeline operators may be in violation of European laws regarding who controls what part of the energy sector, a European regulator said Wednesday…
Serbia's electricity market will most likely be open for households and small business – (Balkans) Serbia's electricity market will most likely be open for households and small consumers from July 1, 2014, but an open market will also result in higher electricity prices, a conference on the regional electricity market was told on Wednesday…
Bulgarian, Serbian and Hungarian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry Express Their Support for South Stream Pipeline– (PR Newswire) The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary gathered at a roundtable entitled "South Stream - What Will Bulgaria and Europe Gain" to discuss the pipeline and the opportunities and benefits it will bring for Bulgaria and Europe as a major energy development…
Electricity market liberalisation in Serbia to bring higher prices– (inSerbia) The electricity market will most likely be open for households and small consumers from July 1, 2014, but an open market will also result in higher electricity prices, a conference on the regional electricity market was told on Wednesday…
Gazprom could participate in the building of a oil pipeline between Pitesti and Pancevo (Serbia) – (ACTMedia) The Department for Energy analyses the participation of the Serbian company NIS Gazprom Neft, owned by the Russian group Gazprom, at the construction of an oil pipeline between Pitesti and Pancevo (Serbia) which should interconnect the grids for oil transport between Romania and Serbia…
Serbia's Nikola Tesla coal-fired plant complex shuts 309 MW unit – (Reuters) A 309 megawatt (MW) unit at Serbia's Nikola Tesla coal-fired power plant (TENT) complex has gone offline until the end of May as part of a routine maintenance, the plant said on Tuesday…
Secretariat transmits its case against Serbia for failure to comply with gas unbundling rules to the Ministerial Council – (Energy Community) Today the Secretariat submitted a Reasoned Request to the Energy Community Ministerial Council seeking its decision on Serbia’s failure to comply with gas unbundling rules of the Second Energy Package in Case ECS-9/13. The Ministerial Council could take a decision on Serbia’s breach of its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty on 23 September in Kyiv, Ukraine…
Armenia
Iran waiting on Armenia to assess changes in joint power plant project– (Trend) Iran has reviewed the joint project of hydroelectric power plant over the Aras River and has made some changes to it. Iran is planning to implement the project with Armenia…
Georgia, Armenia to be linked by high-voltage power line– (Energy Central) Georgia and Armenia will be linked by a 500-kilovolt power transmission line. Georgian and Armenian Energy Ministries' representatives signed an agreement in Tbilisi with regard to construction of a new transmission line, according to a message from the Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE)…
Government releases 117.5 million drams as subsidy for natural gas price for socially unsecured families– (ARKA) The Armenian government has decided today to pay 117.5 million drams to Gazporm Armenia national gas distribution company as a subsidy for natural gas price consumed by socially unsecured families in the second quarter of 2013. From April 1, 2011 about 60 thousand poor families consuming less than 300 cubic…
Armenian Government Agrees to Partially Subsidize Gas Consumed by Needy Families– (EPress) The Government of the Republic of Armenia today approved a package that will provide partial compensation for natural gas supplied to needy families in Armenia payable to Gazprom Armenia...
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan key factor in EU energy diversification: Reality or Ambitions– (Panorama AM) Current geopolitical atmosphere and recent developments over Ukraine and consequences around West-Russia axis make Europe more seriously and in fast and furious manner think over the diversification of energy resources and reduction of its energy dependency from Russia…
Baku touts itself as alternative to Russian energy as Ukraine crisis deepens– (NewsAZ) America has a pint-sized ally that's working on a solution for easing tensions with Russia in coming years. Azerbaijan, a country on the Caspian Sea with legendary oil wealth, is building a natural gas pipeline to feed the riches of the Baku oil field to Europe in a move that will make other American allies less dependent on Russian supplies and more free to counter Russian territorial aims…
Azerbaijan touts itself as alternative to Russian energy as Ukraine crisis deepens – (The Gazette) America has a pint-sized ally that's working on a solution for easing tensions with Russia in coming years. Azerbaijan, a country on the Caspian Sea with…
Azerbaijan's energy resources crucial for Europe – US envoy – (NewsAZ) The events unfolding in Ukraine again draw attention to the importance of energy resources of Azerbaijan. This was stated by U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar at I International Caspian Energy Forum-2014 held in Baku on 23 April…
Energy Minister: Azerbaijan`s gas production makes 30bn cm– (NewsAZ) Azerbaijani energy minister Natig Aliyev has said the country`s gas production reached 30 billion cubic meters. “This will help us both meet our domestic demand and supply our gas to foreign markets,” said Aliyev as he addressed the International Caspian Energy Forum – 2014 in Baku…
U.S. interested in energy cooperation with Azerbaijan– (Azernews) U.S. is going to work closely with Azerbaijan in the field of alternative energy. The news was announced by Julia Nesheiwat, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State for Implementation in the Bureau of Energy Resources, during her visit to Azerbaijan, the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan reported…
U.S. Ambassador: “Azerbaijan should work on alternative energy sources”– (APA) “Azerbaijan is a rich country with hydrocarbon recourses. There are good solar and wind energy resources. Baku is also called “the city of winds”. I think that Azerbaijan needs to work on alternative energy sources,” U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar said at the first international Caspian Energy Forum-2014 in Baku today, APA-Economics reports…
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan mull co-op in energy sector– (Azernews) Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have mulled the development of cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The discussions were held during Azerbaijani delegation's visit to Turkmenistan. The Azerbaijani delegation headed by head of Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev, was received by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov…
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan Considering Energy Cooperation – (Silk Road Reporters) Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan are considering developing their cooperation in the energy sector, Aynur Jafarova writes for Azernews. The talks were held during a visit on part of an Azerbaijani delegation to Turkmenistan…
Caspian energy reserves and natural gas transportation must be diversified (PHOTO)– (Trend) It is important to diversify the ways of supplying energy resources and particularly natural gas from the Caspian Sea to ensure the energy security of the European allies of the U.S., U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said at the broad political forum "Changing landscape of natural gas" on April 18…
Azerbaijan key factor in EU energy diversification: Reality or Ambitions – (PanoramaAM) Current geopolitical atmosphere and recent developments over Ukraine and consequences around West-Russia axis make Europe more seriously and in fast and furious manner think over the diversification of energy resources and reduction of its energy dependency from Russia…
Azerbaijan's role in European energy security discussed in US – (NewsAZ) A large-scale political forum "The changing landscape of natural gas" took place in Atlanta, the capital of the US state of Georgia, on 16 April. The forum was organized upon the initiative of the Georgia Institute of Technology…
Baku wants rights investment climate in Caspian region– (UPI) Mutual trust among littoral states to the Caspian Sea is vital for a vibrant investment climate in the region's energy sector, the Azeri foreign minister said. Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with regional leaders in Moscow to discuss the importance of energy links in the Caspian region, which forms the foundation for some of the largest oil and natural gas pipeline networks in the world…
Georgia
Drought in Turkey may prompt electricity imports from Bulgaria, Georgia and Iran – (Sofia Globe) Drought that has left water levels in reservoirs running seriously low, especially in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia, may prompt Turkey to import electricity from Bulgaria, Iran and Georgia to prevent power cuts this summer, according to Bulgarian and Turkish media reports…
Tbilisi to host summit with participation of Azerbaijani, Turkish, Georgian presidents – (Trend) Tbilisi will host a summit with participation of Azerbaijani, Turkish and Georgian presidents, Ilham Aliyev, Abdullah Gul and Giorgi Margvelashvili, in early May, Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said on April 22 at a press conference…
Gas pipeline that would bypass Russia gets new push – (Politico) The confrontation between Ukraine and Russia is helping to create an opening for another former Soviet state that wants to become a bigger gas supplier to Europe. Azerbaijan — nestled between Russia to its north and Iran to its south — hopes its geographic and geopolitical position will help persuade the Obama administration to offer more vocal support for…
Georgia, U.S discuss cooperation and regional situation– (Trend) The sides discussed intensifying the cooperation within the Georgian-U.S. Strategic Partnership Charter, the democratization process and the situation in the sphere of human rights protection, as well as future plans, the presidential administration told Trend…
Moldova
Energy Community Market Coupling Simulator: First-ever comprehensive online tool for all stakeholders– (Energy Community) The Energy Community Market Coupling Simulator©, the first publically available online tool which provides a comprehensive simulation of market coupling processes and roles, was presented at the Secretariat’s workshop today…
Turkey
Turkey's power imports from neighbors up– (Turkish Press) The amount of electricity Turkey imports from Iran, Bulgaria and Greece increased 63 percent in the first two months of 2014 compared to the same period a year earlier…
Turkey to Import More Electricity from Iran, Ask Discount for Russian Gas– (Tasnim) Turkey's gas contract with Russia gives it the right to demand discounts, said energy minister Taner Yildiz in Ankara on Monday…
Energy minister: Drought may result in summer electricity shortages– (Cihan) Nationwide drought that has brought water reserves to low levels may reduce the amount of electricity that Turkey is able to produce, said Energy Minister Taner Yıldız on Monday in Ankara, fielding questions from the press after a meeting with members of the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry (BTSO)…
Turkey Energy Profile: Importance In World Energy Markets Is Growing – Analysis– (Eurasia Review) Over the past three years, Turkey has experienced some of the fastest growth in energy demand of countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Unlike a number of other OECD countries in Europe, Turkey’s economy has avoided the prolonged stagnation that has characterized much of the continent for the past few years…
Turkey's electricity imports will raise energy prices– (World Bulletin) The increase of electricity imports due to drought will increase energy prices in the Turkish market, said Olgun Sakarya, the head of Energy division at Chambers of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Turkey…
TURKEY GROWING AS REGIONAL ENERGY HUB– (Daily Sabah) Turkey's importance in world energy markets is growing - both as a regional energy transit hub and as a consumer, according to a U.S.-based energy research institute. According to an analysis on Turkey published online by the Energy Information Administration, the country's role as an energy hub has become increasingly important due to it geopolitical value…
Turkey rising as an energy hub– (Business Recorder) Turkey's importance in world energy markets is growing-both as a regional energy transit hub and as a consumer, according to a U.S-based energy research institute…
Turkey to boost electricity imports from Iran: energy minister– (Tehran Times) Turkey will import more electricity from Iran because its hydro power capacity is low due to lack of rain, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said…
Global energy experts set to meet in Turkey – (World Bulletin) The Turkish energy minister and a senior economist are to deliver speeches at the opening of the Anadolu Agency co-sponsored, 20th International Energy and Environment Fair due to be held in Istanbul on April 24…
Energy: Turkey ads 53 new power stations in Q1 of 2014 – (Ansamed) In the first quarter of 2014, 53 new electricity power stations were put on line in Turkey as Anadolu Agency reports quoting officials from the Turkish Energy ministry. The 53 new stations have added 651 megawatts (MW) to Turkey's electricity production capacity, 70 percent of which is being produced by hydroelectric…
Turkey: Turkish Renewable Energy Market – (Mondaq) Turkey's high economic growth which had reached almost double digits numbers by the middle of the last decade and stands around an annual average of 4% dictates new and innovative solutions to Turkey in order to reshuffle its energy infrastructural base. In line with the fast economic growth Turkey's energy needs has already increased to reach an annual growth rate of 9% in the recent years…
Pistachios could power an entire new “eco-city” in Turkey – (Green Prophet) Turkey is floating plans to build a new “eco-city” in the southeastern corner of the country, near the border of Syria, and green building experts from Gaziantep want to use energy from burning pistachio shells to keep it running…
Ukraine
Cabinet proposes increasing gas prices for households by 40% from May 2015, by 20% from May 2016 and 2017– (Interfax) The Ukrainian government has prolonged the terms for the projected bringing of prices of gas for households to an economically justifiable level from 2015-2016 to May 2017 and has set a recommended gradual schedule for the increase in prices, after the realization of which the price will grow by 101.6% over the next three years…
US sends experts to tackle Ukraine's energy needs – (The Hill) On top of a $50 million package aimed at helping Ukraine's economy, the U.S. is sending a team of experts to hep Ukraine with its immediate and longer term energy needs. Over the next few weeks experts from multiple U.S. agencies to help Ukraine strengthen its energy supply and become less dependent on Russia's natural gas…
US energy chief on Ukraine: Don't count out its resources, US know-how (+video) – (The Christian Science Monitor) The Ukraine crisis presents the country with an opportunity to boost its domestic energy production with the help of American expertise, says US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in a Monitor interview. US experts will support Ukraine natural gas production and energy efficiency as part of a crisis support package announced Tuesday…
Biden offers Ukraine U.S. help on energy, aid allocation – (Reuters) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will announce a package of technical assistance focused on energy and economic aid distribution during a two-day visit to Ukraine that began on Monday, a senior administration official said…
Can Shale Save Europe?– (Forbes) Regardless of how Russia’s foray into Ukraine finally works out, these last few weeks have offered a stark reminder of Europe’s desperate need to diversify its energy options. Although Russia has stopped short of halting gas deliveries to Ukraine or the rest of Europe, the threat remains real and worthy of concern. Russia currently supplies about a quarter of the continent’s natural gas demand, with a third of that flowing through Ukrainian transmission lines…
Secretariat initiates dispute settlement procedure against Ukraine for failure to adopt State aid legislation– (Energy Community) Today the Energy Community Secretariat sent an Opening Letter to Ukraine in accordance with Article 12 of the Rules of Procedure for Dispute Settlement. In the Opening Letter, the Secretariat takes the preliminary view that Ukraine failed to fulfil its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty by not adopting legislation prohibiting State aid and enforcing that prohibition…
UPDATE 3-Moscow to meet Ukraine for energy talks as EU frees gas for Kiev– (Reuters) European and Russian officials will meet this week and next for emergency talks to try to prevent Moscow cutting off gas supply to Ukraine, as Europe explores how to pump more gas to the struggling country…
EU commissioner offers Russia, Ukraine energy chiefs to have tripartite gas talks– (ITAR TASS) EU Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger offered Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Coalmining Yuriy Prodan to participate in a first tripartite meeting on gas issue, a source in the European Commission told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday…
Reuters: Prodan says Ukraine, Russia, EU may meet to talk gas– (Kyiv Post) Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia and the European Commission may meet on April 24 in Bratislava to negotiate a possible solution for Ukraine's gas crisis, Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said on April 23…
Moscow to meet Ukraine for energy talks as European Union frees gas for Kiev – (DNA) European and Russian officials will meet this week and next for emergency talks to try to prevent Moscow cutting off gas supply to Ukraine, as Europe explores how to pump more gas to the struggling country…
Canadian oil and gas touted for Europe amid Ukraine troubles– (CBCNews) The Russian invasion of Crimea is making Alberta's oil and gas more attractive in European capitals, says Poland's ambassador to Canada. Poland supports the idea of importing Canadian oil and gas, envoy Marcin Bosacki said Wednesday prior to the start of a two-day visit to his country by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird…
Ukraine’s Unpaid Gas Bills Dwarf U.S. Aid as Tensions Mount (3)– (Bloomberg Businessweek) Ukraine’s best hope for keeping furnaces and factories running through next winter is to store as much natural gas as it can after a U.S. aid pledge fell far short of the nation’s needs. Energy supplies have given Russian leader…
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