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First solar panel kit installed – subgrants in Albania – (ENV.Net) On 24-25 of May 2014, under the subgrant awarded by ENV.net in Albania , Ekolevizja performed its first installation of a solar panel kit in a house in Qarrisht village in the district of Librazhd to provide sufficient electric energy for lighting for 4 LED lamps, mobile phone charge and radio. in the following week other houses will be provided with these solar panel kits…

Albania: The World’s Next Major Oil Play – (Investing) My trusted friend Jonathan Roth helped Petromanas Energy (PMI) (OTC:PENYF) make a must watch mini-documentary about oil in Albania, and the company’s exploration activities there in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell, which has just been released today to coincide with the company’s Annual General Meeting…

Albania awards electricity production licence to local EnRel Hydro – (SeeNews) Albania’s energy regulator said it has awarded an electricity production licence to local company EnRel Hydro…

Trans Adriatic Pipeline Gets Compound Development Permit in Albania – (IENE) The Albanian National Territorial Council (KKT) approved the compound development permit – phase 1 for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the TAP project company said on Tuesday. The compound development permit - phase 1 will authorise TAP AG to start its construction activities in Albania, the company said in a press release…

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Bulgaria

EC Places Bulgaria Under Special Procedure due to South Stream – (Energetika) The procedure is triggered by the intention of the government to change the Energy law, explained experts from the European Commission, commenting that any attempts a pipeline or part of it to go beyond the…

Barroso warns Bulgaria on South Stream – (EurActiv) peaking after the EU summit held yesterday (27 May), Commission President José Manuel Barroso made it plain that the EU executive would impose infringements on Bulgaria regarding the Gazprom-favoured South Stream pipeline, the construction of which is about to begin in breach with EU laws…

Barroso warns Bulgaria on South StreamКопирано от standartnews.com – (Standart) Speaking after the EU summit held yesterday (27 May), Commission President José Manuel Barroso made it plain that the EU executive would impose infringements on Bulgaria regarding the Gazprom-favoured South Stream pipeline, the construction of which is about to begin in breach with EU laws…

EC to Take Action against Bulgaria over South Stream Agreement – (Novinite) EC President Barroso has told Prime Minister Oresharski that the EC will take action against Bulgaria due to non-observance of EU rules in the South Stream agreements…

Bulgaria's Energy Minister Vows New Strategy in June – (Novinite) A new energy strategy will be submitted in Parliament in June, according to Dragomir Stoynev, Minister of Economy and Energy. Stoynev's announcement was made during the debates on the no-confidence motion against the government initiated by center-right party GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) over its failed energy policy…

Bulgaria to receive expert support from EC in the field of energy and EU funds absorption: PM – (Focus) Energy and EU funds were among the main topics of conversation at the meeting of Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the government information service announced…

Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog to Present the Results of EDCs Audit – (Novinite) Bulgaria's energy watchdog DKEVR will present on Wednesday the results of the regulation audit of the three electricity distribution companies (EDCs)…

Bulgaria grid operator with BGN 3.2 bln debt: opposition MP – (Focus) “According to unofficial information, the debt amassed by Bulgaria’s National Electricity Company (NEK) tops BGN 3.2 billion, which is a BGN 600 million increase in around 10-11 months.”  This is what Delyan Dobrev, MP with the oppositional Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB)…

Kozloduy NPP Completes Planned Annual Overhaul of Unit 5 – (Publics) Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power station announced on Sunday it successfully completed the annual planned overhaul of one of its two operational reactors. Unit 5 – one of the two 1000-megawatt operational units at Bulgaria’s sole nuclear station at Kozloduy, has been put offline for a planned annual overhaul on April 20 at 2.22h EET…

Unit 5 of Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Switched On after Annual Overhaul – (Novinite) The planned annual overhaul of the 1000-MW unit 5 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant has been wrapped up.  After the completion of a probe of the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency and a permit issued by the chair of the watchdog, the N-plant unit was switched on at 10 am on Sunday, according to a media statement of the Kozloduy NPP…

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Elektroprivreda BiH Upgrades Dust Filter in Kakanj Plant – (Energetika) The contract was signed by Elvedin Grabovica, the chief director of Elektroprivreda BiH, and representatives of the Hamon consortium, Claus Brinkmann and Dario Škoro…

Elektroprivreda BiH Calls Tender for Generator Upgrade in Kakanj Plant – (Energetika) According to the local energy portal Energetika.ba, the value of the contract is assessed at 550,000 Bosnian marka (1 euro = 1.96 Bosnian marka). The deadline for completion of the works, which will be…

EBRD says recent floods will hit Balkan economies – (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Recent devastating floods in the Balkans could cost Bosnia and Serbia up to 10 percent of their economic output, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said on Thursday…

Is Bosnia and Herzegovina at Risk of Having Gas Supply Cut off for Heating Season 2014/2015? – (Energetika) BH Gas has sent a letter to Sarajevogas, reminding the company about its failure to adhere to the agreement and meet its obligations.“Liabilities to BH Gas, which automatically mean a delay in relations…

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Croatia

Croatia and Slovenia Gas Pipeline Operators Improve Cooperation – (Energetika) The contract was signed in Vodnjan in the northern Adriatic Istrian peninsula by Marin Zovko from Plinacro and Marjan Ebelinc from Plinovodi.“Plinacro and Plinovodi have been successfully cooperating for years…

In Croatia, more than ENG 0.5 bn Invested in Renewables – (Energetika) For the first time in Croatia’s history, solar power plants are on second place by installed power with a total capacity of just below 27 MW. Wind power plants are first with 254 MW, while the third spot goes…

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Kosovo

KOSOVO AND EU DISCUSS TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, CLIMATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT – (Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of European Integration) The Kosovo government and European Commission (EC) held their regular meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue (SAPD) on Transport, Environment, Energy, Climate and Regional Development.  The meeting examined a number of policy areas where there is a substantial body of European legislation…

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Macedonia

FYR Macedonia, US discuss possibilities for cooperation in energy sector – (Balkans) Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held talks with Robert Cekuta, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Energy Resources at US Department of State.  Gruevski and Cekuta shared opinions on a large number of energy projects and prospects for their further implementation. They addressed the possibilities for cooperation in investing in this sector and providing funds for realization of energy projects…

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Montenegro

Six Companies Submit Bids for Gas and Oil Production in Montenegro – (Energetika) In its concession offer Montenegro determined that there would be a 13-block area covering altogether 3191 square kilometres.  “The public bid drew response from six companies, which submitted three bids…

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Romania

EU to place efficiency at heart of energy security plans – (Global) Speaking at the launch of the region’s energy security strategy, which aims to shift it away from its addiction to Russian gas imports, he said reducing demand was an essential part of the EU plans…

Brussels plans legally-binding targets for cutting Europe's energy usage – (The Telegraph) European countries could be forced to cut their energy usage through new legally-binding targets, under plans from Brussels designed to bolster energy security. Günther Oettinger, energy commissioner, said that Europe needed to use less energy in order to reduce its dependence on risky imports from countries such as Russia…

Shale and non-Russian gas imports at heart of new EU energy strategy – (The Guardian) Europe will need to tap more diverse sources of gas and develop more supplies of controversial shale gas within the continent, amid concerns over the Ukraine crisis, according to a new energy security strategy unveiled by the European commission on Wednesday…

Romania’s energy producer Hidroelectrica to exit insolvency in 2015, says judicial administrator – (Romania-Insider) Hidroelectrica will exit its second insolvency in May or June 2015, according to Remus Borza, the head of Euro Insol – the company’s judicial administrator, quoted by local Mediafax…

Romania's Hidroelectrica to exit insolvency in May-June 2015: manager – (Reuters Africa) Romanian state-owned hydro power producer Hidroelectrica will likely exit insolvency in May-June 2015 and list a minority stake in the second half of that year, its manager Remus Borza told Reuters on Wednesday…

Minister Teodorovici: MEDGREEN projects contribute to Romania's obtaining energy independence – (ACT Media) European Funds Minister Eugen Teodorovici said that the contracts signed in Timisoara (western Romania) on Thursday on MEDGREEN projects, aimed at producing equipment in the green economy area, will contribute to the creation of new jobs and the preservation of some of the current ones…

U.S. to help Romania to secure energy independence: Biden – (Shanghai Daily) The United States is ready to help Romania to secure its energy independence, visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told a joint press conference after discussion with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta…

Eurostat: Greece and Romania has the highest increases in household electricity prices – (ACT Media) In the EU28, household electricity prices rose by 2.8% on average between the second half of 2012 and the second half of 2013, after an increase of 6.0% between the second half of 2011 and 2012. Household gas prices increased by 1.0% on average in the EU28 between the second half of 2012 and 2013, after a rise of 8.2% between the second half of 2011 and 2012…

World Bank sets EUR 750 million budget for Romania under new 2014-2017 program – (Romania-Insider) Romania has a EUR 750 million budget from the World Bank under the new country partnership strategy recently agreed with the bank’s board of directors…

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Serbia

Outstanding Contribution of Slovenian Team in Preventing Flooding in Serbia’s Biggest Thermal Power Plant – (Energetika) Members of Slovenia’s civil protection service are responsible for ensuring the safety of TENT A. Slovenia is present there with 47 rescue workers, member of the Slovenian team Danijel Torkar told FoNet…

First Tonnes of Kolubara Coal Transported to TPP Nikola Tesla, EPS Suffers EUR 200 m Damage – (Energetika) “This is the first step in flood recovery,” said Serbia’s mining and energy minister Aleksandar Antić. He announced that daily transport of coal from Kolubara would rise from 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes in a matter…

Serbia’s Biggest Thermal Power Plant Restarts after Ten-Day Halt amid Floods – (Energetika) Located in Obrenovac, the thermal power plant Nikola Tesla A reopened ten days after being halted amid floods. The first unit to restart was the 150 MW Unit A1 in TENT A, said Serbia’s Minister of Energy and…

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Armenia

Gas supply to Armenia restored after Georgia landslide – (Pan Armenian) Gas supply to Armenia halted over a the May 17 landslide in Georgia was restored, Gazprom-Armenia.  Earlier, the Georgian Gas Transportation Company informed Gazprom Armenia CJSC about temporarily halting gas supply to Armenia over an accident on Georgian gas main…

Russian gas deliveries to Armenia through Georgia restored – (Cihan) Georgian Gas Transportation Company has completed the restoration of the gas pipeline, damaged as a result of a landslide in Dariali Gorge.  The company said on May 23 that the natural gas transit from Russia to Armenia via Georgia was restored…

Mudslide damages Russia-Armenia gas main supplying 90% of gas – (Aysor) The Georgian Military Road connecting the South Caucasus with Russia will be closed for months due to a mudslide on May 17 on Gveleti-Darial (Lower Lars) Highway. Upper Lars checkpoint was also closed, ‘Haykakan Zhamanak’ says citing Georgian Ministry of the Interior…

Gas supply to Armenia resumes – (Aysor) Gas supply to Armenia resumed at 2:07 pm on May 23, Gazprom Armenia Company said.  The gas supply was interrupted on May 17 after a mudslide in neighboring Georgia’s Darial Gorge damaged North-South gas pipeline…

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Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan’s Sangachal TPP generates over 300 million kWh of electricity in Jan.-April – (Trend) The Sangachal thermal power plant (TPP), which is one of the most important facilities in Azerbaijan's electricity sphere, generated nearly 300.3 million kilowatt/hours of electricity in Jan.-April, 2014, the country's Azerenergy JSC said on May 26...

Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan seek cooperation on energy, transportation – (Cihan) Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Turkey aims to develop economic ties and cooperate in the fields of energy and transportation with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan after the first trilateral foreign ministers' meeting between the countries was held on Monday…

Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey bond – (Vestnik Kavkaza) Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan met in Baku on Monday and discussed topical issues of bilateral and trilateral relations and essential aspects of cooperation in the future. Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov clarified that they focused on delivery of Caspian gas to Europe. Experts assume that realization of the Southern Corridor by Caspian states…

Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan commit to develop cooperation in energy, trade and transport – (ABC.AZ) The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan adopted a joint statement at today’s trilateral meeting in Baku.  According to the statement, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of relationships in various fields in, especially in the energy, trade, transport, culture, tourism, education and environmental protection…

On 25 June EBRD plans to give second loan for energy efficiency in Azerbaijan – (ABC.AZ) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is preparing to give a second loan in Azerbaijan within Caucasus Energy Efficiency Programme (CEEP).  The European Bank informs that on 25 June its Board of Directors is preparing to approve the CEEP loan for Demirbank (Azerbaijan)…

Gazprom, Azerbaijan discuss gas future – (UPI) Russian energy company Gazprom said Friday it was upbeat about the potential to build stronger ties with its counterparts in Azerbaijan.  Alexei Miller, the chairman of the Russian energy company, met Friday in St. Petersburg with his counterpart at the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, Rovnag Abdullayev…

Turkey-Azerbaijan pipeline offers alternative for Russian gas – (AL-Monitor) Russia-Ukraine tension is being monitored particularly closely by Europe because of the continent’s dependence on Russian natural gas and Ukraine’s signing of a partnership agreement with the European Union. Russia’s west Europe natural gas pipeline passes through Ukraine. Experience shows that at times of high tension, service through the pipeline can be disrupted…

Southern Gas Corridor from Azerbaijan to EU to start operating since mid- 2018 – (ABC.AZ) Southern Gas Corridor being laid from Azerbaijan to the EU is in a high degree of readiness for the construction works.  Today in Baku BP Azerbaijan vice -president for Shah Deniz 2 projects Yuan Drumond has stated that selection of contractors within the expansion of South Caucasus gas corridor has been almost completed…

Russia and Azerbaijan enhancing cooperation in oil and gas spheres – (Vestnik Kavkaza) The decision to establish a joint enterprise made by Russia's Rosneft oil company and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum shows that the two countries are enhancing mutual cooperation in the sphere of the oil and gas industries, Azerbaijani expert Ilham Shaban says…

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Georgia

Georgia jointly with Azerbaijan, Turkey can greatly contribute in ensuring Europe’s energy – (Trend) Georgia in partnership with Azerbaijan and Turkey can greatly contribute in ensuring Europe's energy security, Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said at a recent conference on energy security in Germany…

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey can increase Europe's energy security: official – (Azernews) Georgia can make a significant contribution to Europe's energy security in partnership with Azerbaijan and Turkey. The remarks were made by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania during a speech at the Energy Security Conference in Germany…

Georgia increases imports of Azerbaijani gas by more than a quarter – (Trend) Georgia imported 620,590 tons of the oil equivalent of natural gas in the amount of $124.35 million from Azerbaijan in January-April 2014, according to the Georgian National Statistic Service's report…

Hydro power tunnel searched for survivors after landslide – (Democracy & Freedom Watch) For the first time after the catastrophic landslide in Dariali on May 17, rescue crew made their way into a tunnel in search of survivors, Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 reported Thursday.  The tunnel, which is part of a hydro power plant under construction, was flooded by the river Tergi when part of a hillside tumbled down into the valley and clogged the water flow…

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Moldova  

Moldova and Romania analyzed energy interconnection projects – (TRM) Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Romania Minister for Energy Razvan Nicolescu discussed energy projects to interconnect Moldova to the European network. Officials agreed on the need of strengthening bilateral dialogue on energy and energy interconnection projects in order to move forward…

90 children will attend Summer Camp ENERGEL organised by the EU-UNDP funded Moldova Energy and Biomass Project and its Partners – (AEE) 90 children from 21 schools will attend Summer Camp ENERGEL, 3rd Edition, to be organised in the first half of July in Raculesti Village, Criuleni District. Children’s names have been made public today at the meeting of teachers and principals of schools that taught the course on renewables and energy efficiency during the 2013-2014 school-year…

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 Turkey   

TURKEY BOOSTS ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION IN Q1 – (Daily Sabah) Turkey has doubled its electricity production in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period the previous year according to Energy Ministry officials.  Turkey generated 1816 total megawatts (MW) by adding 832 MW to its capacity…

Turkey: An Overview Of Hydroelectricity In Turkish Energy Market – (Mondaq) As is known, the renewable energy resources have gained great importance in energy production in Turkey as well as in the world. By reason of the exhaustibility of primary energy resources such as coal, oil and natural gas and import dependence on natural gas and oil…

Turkey shuts two coal mines after disaster – (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Turkish workplace safety inspectors have halted operations in two coal mines near where 301 workers were killed in the country's worst industrial accident two weeks ago, the energy minister said on Thursday…

Turkey shuts two coal mines after disaster – (Reuters Africa) Turkish workplace safety inspectors have halted operations in two coal mines near where 301 workers were killed in the country's worst industrial accident two weeks ago, the energy minister said on Thursday…

Turkey secures $350 million renewable energy loan – (PV Magazine) While the Turkish government is on track to build its first nuclear power plant and a massive new coal-fired facility, the World Bank sees great "renewable potential" in the country…

Turkey's dependency on foreign energy resources should be eliminated – (Today’s Zaman) The Soma mine disaster claimed 301 lives last week, sparking, among other debates, discussion over the use of fossil fuels and Turkey's dependency on foreign energy.  Turkey has an obligation to pursue clean energy, despite the fact that the government has not pursued a transition to renewable energy sources, as some developed countries have…

Eurasian Alternative To EU Emerges Based On Hydrocarbon Economy – (The Moscow Times) With the milestone agreement to create a Eurasian economic union clinched in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Russia put cheap energy resources at the head of its drive to pull former Soviet states away from European integration and into its orbit…

Geo-political posturing and pipeline politics: Turkey as an energy hub – (RT) After a decade of AKP rule, under the popular yet divisive leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has finally become an important regional player in the Middle East and Europe…

Research and Markets Adds Report on Renewable Energy Market – (Clean Tech) Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Strategic Analysis of Renewable Energy Market in Turkey" report to their offering. Turkey's renewable energy market is posed for rapid expansion as the country is pushing to reach its ambitious 2022 target for renewable energy deployment…

The remarks were made by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania during a speech at the Energy Security Conference in Germany – (Balkans) Almost all the developments surrounding Turkey in the last months such as the Ukraine-Russia-EU crisis, the Israel-Turkey normalization process, Joe Biden’s visit to Cyprus, and the biggest mining accident in the history of Turkey remind us of one thing: energy…

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Ukraine 

Ukraine-Russia gas dispute unresolved as deadline looms – (The Christian Science Monitor) An ongoing dispute over gas prices between Russia and Ukraine threatens to undermine the success of Sunday's presidential elections. As it enters a new era, Ukraine must mend ties with Russia to ensure continued gas supplies, while also looking for long-term ways to diversify its energy supply…

Ukraine demands gas "stolen" by Gazprom in Crimea – (World Bulletin) Ukraine said on Tuesday Russia's Gazprom owed it 2.2 billion cubic metres of natural gas worth around $1 billion following Moscow's annexation of the Black Sea region of Crimea. Russia annexed the mainly Russian-speaking Crimea peninsula in March after mass street protests toppled Ukraine's Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich…

Russia receives no payment from Ukraine for gas supplies — energy minister – (ITAR TASS) Russia has not received any payment from Ukraine for natural gas supplies, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.  “We have not received anything so far, not a single kopeck (a monetary unit of Russia), hryvnia or US dollar. We are waiting for payment,” the energy minister said, adding that Ukraine had “time until the end of Thursday” to pay for natural gas supplies…

Ukraine: the real energy crisis starts in June as Russia plans to reduce gas supply – (Telegraph) Kiev is feeling emboldened by the successful election of new Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and a bloody surge against separatists in the east but in just a few days, Russia says it will twist the gas spigot, and there's very little Kiev can do to stop that...

Ukraine from June 1 appoints Ukrinterenergo seller of electricity to Crimea, reduces prices of electricity – (Interfax-Ukraine) Only state enterprise Ukrinterenergo will be able to buy electricity on the Ukraine wholesale electricity market from June 1, 2014 to supply it to the occupied territories of Crimea, the Cabinet of Minister has passed the resolution…

Ukraine’s new president faces looming energy crisis – (The Globe and Mail) Russia and Ukraine are headed toward another showdown, this time over Kiev’s unpaid gas bills, in a dispute that could disrupt natural gas deliveries to Europe.  Petro Poroshenko, who was elected Ukraine’s new president on Sunday, will immediately face a looming energy crisis. The economically battered country has no financial resources to pay for Russian gas, while its supplier, Moscow’s OAO Gazprom, has threatening to stop selling fuel to its neighbour by June 3…

EU energy chief says 'good chance' of Russia-Ukraine gas deal – (Deutsche-Welle) The EU Energy Commissioner says Moscow and Kyiv have a "good chance" of reaching a resolution to their gas dispute. The proposed deal would see Ukraine pay $2.5 billion to Russian energy giant Gazprom…

Russia, Ukraine lift disagreements on gas price - EU energy commissioner – (The Voice of Russia) Russia and Ukraine "have lifted all disagreements on prices and amounts of supplied gas from November to March" at three-party talks, EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said on Wednesday. "The question of prices for April and May remains open," he said…

Russia to appeal to Council of Europe to inspect Ukraine's NPPs as they switch to US fuel – (The Voice of Russia) The State Duma initiated an appeal to the Council of Europe to examine the question of the safety of Ukrainian NPPs and of transferring nuclear fuel from the US. Previously, several reactors had already been transferred for the products of the American company Westinghouse…

Simple Switch to US Nuclear Fuel for Ukraine Plants Impossible - IAEA Official – (Ria Novosti) Simply switching from Russian-made nuclear fuel to its US equivalent for use in Ukrainian reactors is impossible, Miroslav Lipar, an official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said…

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