USEA Upcoming Events

March 25-26 2015: USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning (BSTP) Project Working Group Meeting Bucharest, Romania

March 27 2015: USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning (BSTP)/Black Sea Regulatory Initiative (BSRI) Joint Project Working Group Meeting Bucharest, Romania

Albania is trying to position itself as the export route for cheap Balkan hydro power – (Balkans) Albania is trying to position itself as the export route for cheap Balkan hydro power into Italy, ahead of Montenegro…

PM Ponta offers Albania the surplus energy of Romania – (Act Media) Prime Minister Victor Ponta sees Albania as a potential beneficiary of Romania's surplus energy. After meeting his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama on Friday, Ponta declared they have discussed a possibility of 'concrete collaboration' on energy…

Albania to sell public electricity distributor again – (dtt-net) Albanian government has decided to privatize country’s public electricity distributor, OSSHE, starting first with a private management for a certain period before opening bid for selling it to private hands, after a failed deal with Czech utility ČEZ…

Albania positioning itself as hydro export route to Italy – (ICIS) Albania is trying to position itself as the export route for cheap Balkan hydro power into Italy, ahead of Montenegro…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

TANAP gas pipeline project sees shareholding deal with BP soon – (Reuters) The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project expects BP to resolve outstanding issues soon to become a stakeholder in the multi-billion dollar project that aims to reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas, a TANAP official said on Wednesday…

Balkan States Seek Gas Partnership That May Cut Russian Reliance – (Bloomberg) Balkan nations on the Adriatic sea plan to build a new gas pipeline and connect their networks in a move that may help reduce Europe’s dependence on energy imports from Russia…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria among three EU countries to exceed 2020 renewable energy targets – (Sofia Globe) Three European Union member states – Bulgaria, Estonia and Sweden – had exceeded their renewable energy targets for 2020 in 2013, the bloc’s statistics board Eurostat said on March 10…

Bulgaria’s energy system in state of emergency over unfavourable weather conditions – (Focus) A number of Bulgarian districts have been recently struck by bad weather conditions, including very heavy snowfall and strong wind, which have disrupted normal activities…

Current Deficit at Bulgaria’s National Electric Company at BGN 600 M – (Novinite) The deficit at Bulgaria’s National Electric Company (NEK) stands at BGN 3.3 B, while the current deficit for 2014 amounts to BGN 600 M, according to Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova…

Record number of Bulgarians left without electricity after heavy snowfalls – (Sofia Globe) The number of people left without electricity after the heavy continuous snowfalls of recent days is unprecedented, with about 850 places still cut off from the power supply, the head of Bulgaria’s fire safety and population protection directorate, Nikolai Nikolov, said on March 9…

Bulgaria ends wind incentives – (Wind Power) The Bulgarian parliament has put an end to incentive prices for new wind farms as it seeks to cut energy sector deficits and contain power prices in the EU's poorest member state…

CEZ employees working on restoring power supply in affected municipalities in Bulgaria – (Focus) Medium voltage equipment in the municipalities of Belogradchik, Dimovo and Ruzhintsi, Vidin District, have been turned off due to repair works. It is expected the repairs will continue until late evening, press centre of CEZ Distribution Bulgaria announced…

Heavy snow kills at least one, hits power supply in Bulgaria – (APA) Heavy snowfall and strong winds killed at least one man, hit power supply and closed more than 200 schools in Bulgaria, officials said here Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua…

Croatia

Croatia and Montenegro to build pipeline for gas – (Balkans) Balkan countries are trying to diversify their energy supplies to the region within growing political and economic influence of Russia…

Turkish company to build first geothermal power plant in Croatia – (dtt-net) Turkish company, MB Holding, has announced it will build a 10 MW geothermal power plant in Croatia, the first in the new EU member, an investment worth of some 30 Million Euros…

Balkan States Seek Gas Partnership That May Cut Russian Reliance – (Bloomberg) Balkan nations on the Adriatic sea plan to build a new gas pipeline and connect their networks in a move that may help reduce Europe’s dependence on energy imports from Russia…

Croatians 'sleep-walking' into destroying tourism with Adriatic energy industry  -(The Guardian) An ancient walled city on a sparkling sea, surrounded by beaches and backed by the Dinaric Alps, Budva in Montenegro is one of dozens of Venetian-influenced towns along the Adriatic coast and the centrepiece of a tourism boom…

Kosovo

Albania and Kosovo to establish common energy market, union – (dtt-net) Albanian and Kosovan governments have started first consultations on setting up a common energy market and union between the two neighbouring countries and have set up working groups to move forward with the plan…

German Company to Tackle Kosovo’s Electricity Problems (Energetika) On the outskirts of Pristina the ancient lignite-fired plants Kosovo A and Kosovo B should supply the entire country with electricity. However, Kosovo A is not only dirty and unreliable, but also dangerous…

Kosovo KEDS to Invest EUR 110 Million in 5 Years – (Energetika) According to Buçinca, 250 low-voltage poles and more than 30 thousand metres of conductors are currently in the process of being replaced. “The customers are going to directly benefit from this project…

Macedonia

One Unit Operational, Another to Be Online Soon at Macedonia's Largest TPP – (Energetika) As previously reported HERE two units of Macedonia's largest electricity producer stopped working due to technical deviations from the nominal parameters in operations and protective systems..

Macedonia's Largest TPP Shuts Down – (Energetika) The management of REK Bitola said that other production capacities in Macedonia are producing electricity in accordance with requirements and that there is no need for additional imports of electricity…

Macedonia to Start Constructing National Gas Pipeline in March – (Energetika) According to this Macedonian portal, the Italian company Concordia will construct most of the national pipeline (in the regions of east Macedonia and Prilep and west Macedonia)…

Montenegro

Oil and gas exploration to reduce import dependence says Montenegro's Economy Minister – (Balkans) Transparency, progressive taxation, competition and lack of discretion are crucial principles defining the Montenegrin Government’s approach to oil and gas industry, Economy Minister Vladimir Kavarić said at the opening of the First Adriatic Oil & Gas Summit, which takes place on 10 - 11 March in Budva, Montenegro…

Montenegro's CGES to Auction Transmission Capacities for April 2015 – (Energetika) The submission of bids is scheduled for 9:00 to 11:00 AM. All non-used monthly capacities will be offered on daily auctions.Find information about the available capacities HERE….

Montenegrin Ministry Denies NGO’s Allegations about Oil and Gas Production Non-Transparency – (Energetika) The Ministry said it is not organising the event. “The organiser of the regional event is Global Events Partner, which specialises in organising events of this type,” the ministry said in a press release…

Romania

Romanian Competition Council publishes preliminary report on the electricity market sector inquiry – (ACC) On 3 March 2015, the Romanian Competition Council (‘RCC’) published its long-awaited report on the sector inquiry into the national electricity market….

Projects with Moldova Priority for Romania, Great Potential Also in the Black Sea – (Energetika) Badea highlighted the potential of the Black Sea in strengthening regional security and called for greater EU involvement in supporting the development of these projects, especially in vulnerable regions…

Romania's Day-Ahead Power Sales Volume Up 21.5% Y/Y in Feb – (IENE) The volume of electricity sold on Romania's day-ahead market grew by 21.5% on the year to 1.89 million MWhin February, while prices rose by an annual 17% in euro, the country's power market operator, OPCOM, said on Monday…

Serbia

Serbia interested on EU's TAP gas pipeline amid uncertainity of supplies from Russia – (dtt-net) After the burrial of the South Stream pipeline project and Russia threats to end gas supplies to the EU and Western Balkans through Ukraine as of 2019, Serbian government admitted today its interest on connecting to the European Trans-Adriatic-Pipeline (TAP) pipeline which will bring gas from Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan to the European bloc and its aspirants from Western Balkans through Turkey…

PM "seeking alternatives to Russian gas, not to EU"  -(B92) Aleksandar Vucic has told a Swiss newspaper that "Serbia is seeking an alternative to Russian gas, not to EU (membership) as its strategic choice…

Despite Agreement with IMF in Serbia Electricity Price Will Not Rise from April – (Energetika) The government also said that it would support EPS in preparing a plan for financial consolidation, Blic wrote. The government will adopt this plan by the end of March…

IMF: Electricity Price Increase Is Part Of Agreement With Serbia – (In Serbia) The electricity price increase of 15 percent is part of the agreement with Serbia, as stated in the memorandum which the country submitted prior to the closing of the arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Head of IMF Mission in Serbia Zuzana Murgasova said…

"Electricity price rise part of IMF-Serbia agreement"  -(B92) he 15-percent electricity price hike is part of IMF's agreement with Serbia, as stated in a memorandum which the country submitted before the deal was closed…

Serbia expects cheaper Russian gas this spring, summer – (Reuters) Serbia's gas monopoly Srbijagas expects lower import prices for Russian gas in the second and third quarters of 2015, Dusan Bajatovic, the company's chief executive said on Friday…

Armenia

Armenia energy sector is key domain for US government – (Aysor) The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia, Yervand Zakharyan, on Monday received new US Ambassador Richard Mills…

European Investment Bank to carry out energy efficiency projects in Armenia – (Armpress) Deputy Minister of Urban Development of the Republic of Armenia Armen Ghularyan met with representatives of the European Investment Bank to discuss projects aimed at raising the level of energy efficiency in building of Armenia…

Europe ready to finance energy efficiency in Armenia – (Aysor) The European Investment Bank is ready to finance energy efficiency in Armenia. This was stated by representatives of the bank at a meeting with Minister of Urban Development of Armenia Armen Gularyan…

Information about mining in Armenia should be available to public- expert – (ARKA) Information about mining in Armenia should be available to public, Levon Galstyan, a member of the Pan-Armenian Environmental Front, said on Monday…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan seriously intends not only to supply gas to Europe, but also to “control” it – (Balkans) Azerbaijan seriously intends not only to supply gas to Europe, but also to “control” it there.The matter rests in the fact that Azerbaijan will not only supply the European countries with a necessary resource, but also create a distribution network in some of them…

In February electricity generation in Azerbaijan returned to standard level – (ABC.AZ) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. OJSC Azerenerji, Azerbaijan’s national energy producer, lowered electricity generation to standard level in February versus January’s splash…

Azerbaijan to keep Europe warm – (Azernews) Azerbaijan seriously intends not only to supply gas to Europe, but also to “control” it there. The matter rests in the fact that Azerbaijan will not only supply the European countries with a necessary resource, but also create a distribution network in some of them…

TAP committed to transport Shah Deniz gas – (Azernews) Trans Adriatic Pipeline is committed to transport gas within the second phase of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development project, TAP Head of Communications Lisa Givert told Trend…

Aliyev: Azerbaijan concerned by Commission’s DESFA investigation  -(EurActiv) Azerbaijan, which has acquired Greek gas transmission system operator DESFA, is wondering why the European Commission is taking so long to decide if the deal is compatible with EU law, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Natig Aliyev told EurActiv…

About 360 mln tons of oil produced from "Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli" – (News.az) The statement came from the First Vice-President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh speaking at the 3rd International Caspian Energy Forum - 2015 held in Baku…

Azeri energy firm SOCAR says plans Eurobond issue in March – (Reuters) Azeri state energy firm SOCAR plans to issue Eurobonds in March, the firm's president said on Friday, following a sharp fall in global oil prices…

Georgia

Fitch revises Georgian Oil and Gas outlook to ‘positive’ – (Agenda.GE) Global rating agency Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook of JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation's (GOGC) long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) from stable to positive…

Fitch revises Georgian Oil and Gas outlook to positive – (StockMarketWire) Fitch Ratings has revised the outlooks for JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation's long-term foreign and local currency issuer default ratings (IDR) to positive from stable and affirmed the IDRs at 'BB-'…

Georgia, Abkhazia discuss Enguri Hydro Power Plant rehabilitation – (Agenda.GE) Georgian and Abkhazian officials are continuing to discuss the restoration of Enguri Hydro Power Plant (HPP), which sits on both sides of the de facto border of Georgia and breakaway Abkhazia…

Moldova

PM Ponta: Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline must be continued to Chisinau – (Act Media) Prime Minister Victor Ponta has stated his belief, on Wednesday, that the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline must be continued to Chisinau…

EU launches Energy and Biomass Project II in Moldova – (Renewable Energy Magazine) Phase II of the project will consist, in part, of 80 modern biomass heating plants, with 21 solar collectors, deployed in schools, kindergartens and community centres; 300 biomass boilers provided at subsidised prices to households and microenterprises and seven public-private partnerships to supply bioenergy…

Romania Starts Shipping Gas To Moldova – (Radio Free Europe) Romania has started shipping natural gas to Moldova, as Chisinau seeks to reduce energy dependence on Russia…

Turkey

Turkey has a great potential for solar energy – (Balkans) A solar plane named Solar Impulse will start its world tour this week depending on the weather conditions…

Turkish electricity to be included in European network  -(Daily Sabah) agreement that will make Turkey a permanent member of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) will be signed in April, expanding the commercial network of Turkish electricity companies to the entirety of the European continent…

EU to create energy partnership with Turkey – (World Bulletin) The European Commission said Wednesday that it intends to establish a partnership with Turkey for energy policy…

Turkey Seeks to Replace Ukraine as Energy Hub – (Learning English) Russia says it will stop sending natural gas to Europe through Ukraine and will start sending it through Turkey. Turkey welcomes the decision. For ten years the country has aimed to be a major energy hub, or distribution center…

Turkey sets date for TANAP construction start – (Azernews) The construction of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline in Turkey will start on March 17, said Taner Yildiz , Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources…

Turkey gets 10.25% discount on Russian natural gas – (Customs Today) Turkey has secured a 10.25 percent discount in the price of natural gas supplied by Russia but this will not translate into cheaper gas prices at home because of the weakening lira, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Friday…

Siemens completes 600MW combined cycle power plant in Turkey – (EBR) Siemens, along with Cengiz Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret, has completed the construction of a combined cycle power plant in Turkey, two months ahead of the schedule…

First Solar to develop three solar PV plants in Turkey – (Sun & Wind Energy) The US-based module supplier First Solar announced that the company has been awarded interconnection rights for three planned utility-scale PV plants in southern Turkey…

Ukraine

Death toll rises to 34 in Zasiadko coal mine disaster – (Kyiv Post) Another worker hurt in a methane gas explosion at the Donetsk Zasiadko coal mine died on March 6, the Donetsk news agency reported, quoted city burn center chief Emil Fistal…

Ukraine exports electricity worth $26.2 mln in Jan-Feb, imports electricity worth $16.9 mln – (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukraine exported electricity worth $26.158 million in January and February 2015, including electricity worth $12.794 million in February along, the State Fiscal Service has reported…

Ukraine’s ‘Courageous’ Energy Reforms Meant to Erode Russia’s Leverage – (FP) Tanks to relentless prodding from the IMF, Ukraine seems poised to finally carry out the reforms of its energy sector that it has spent years chasing…

Bellona Response to Energy Strategy of Ukraine 2035  -(Bellona) Over the next few years, Ukraine must answer critical questions on what generating capacity it will construct and what industrial policies it will pursue…

Ukraine seeks nuclear energy independence  -(Focus on Ukraine) Recent gas disputes with Russia and shortages of coal due to the conflict in Donbas have prompted Ukrainian officials to reassess energy policies and work toward nuclear energy independence…

Joint Inspection Shows Westinghouse Fuel "Flawless" In Ukraine  -(Nuclear Street) Westinghouse Electric Company said 42 of its fuel assemblies will be loaded into Unit 3 at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant after inspections showed that the company's fuel assemblies had performed well through at least three fuel cycles at the plant…

EU Energy Union doesn't threaten Ukraine's energy security- European Commission – (interfax-Ukraine) The strategic task of the European Union's Energy Union is to diversify sources and delivery routes of energy in order to guarantee energy security for the EU and make energy prices controllable, European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said on Thursday…

Basil Kalymon, Adonis Yatchew: Ways to secure energy future for Ukraine, Europe  -(Kyiv Post) In recent days, Russia has once more threatened the security of Europe's gas supplies by announcing that it will refuse to pipe gas through Ukraine and will require that a southern alternative be built through Turkey…

Ukraine has reduced Russian dependence – (Interfax – Natural gas Daily) Ukraine has significantly reduced its energy dependence on Russia and will buy gas at $245 per thousand cubic metres (Mcm: $6.67/MMBtu) this year, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said…

Alan Apter: Ukraine now unattractive to investors in the private gas sector – (Kyiv Post) The Ukrainian private gas industry began 2015 in a highly unattractive investment environment. The new tax and regulatory regimes are expected to result in a significant decline in new investment…

Ukrainian miners protest against Ukraine's government intentions to close down 12 state mines – (Ukraine Today) Mine workers across Ukraine have been protesting gainst plans announced by the Ukrainian government to close down 12 state mines…

Russia's Gazprom says Ukraine's pre-paid gas will last until March 15 – TASS  -(Reuters) Russia's top natural gas producer Gazprom said on Tuesday that Ukraine's pre-paid volumes of Russian gas would last until March 15, TASS news agency cited the company's spokesman as saying…

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.