Weekly collection of energy news articles for the region.  Click on the links for access to original publications.

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USEA Upcoming Events

May 27-28, 2015: PSS/E Load Flow Training for Ukrenergo – Lviv, Ukraine 

May 29, 2015: Technical Meeting of Ukrainian Power System Support Project (UPSSP) – Lviv, Ukraine 

 June 1-2, 2015: USAID / USEA Southeast Europe Distribution System Operator (DSO) Security of Supply Working Group Meeting – Athens, Greece

 June 22-23: USAID / USEA Black Sea Transmission Planning Project (BSTP) Optimal Power Flow (OPF) Training Workshop – Budapest, Hungary

June 24, 2015: USAID / USEA Black Sea Transmission Planning Project (BSTP) Working Group Meeting – Budapest, Hungary 

June 25, 2015: USAID / USEA Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) Transmission System Planning Project Working Group Meeting – Budapest, Hungary 

Albania seeking bids for oil, gas search in June – (Reuters) Albania will offer companies interested in oil and gas exploration seven offshore and onshore blocks in June in a bidding process, officials said on Monday…

World Bank agrees to lend Albania up to $1.2 billion over 5 years – (Star Tribune) The World Bank has agreed to lend Albania up to $1.2 billion (1.08 billion euros) to support its public finances and invest in infrastructure.  A statement from the bank Friday said the board of directors agreed on a 2015-2019 lending program to support Albania's growth as it tries to join the European Union…

Bulgaria

Launch of Power Exchange Will Not Lead to 30-40% Price Spike – Watchdog Chair – (Novinite) It is unrealistic to suggest that electricity prices will increase by 30-40% after the launch of the power exchange, according to Ivan Ivanov, Chair of Bulgaria’s Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR)…

Final Agreement on Bulgaria-Greece Gas Interconnector 'Delayed by Technicalities' – (Novinite) The signing of a final investment decision on the new Bulgaria-Greece gas grid interconnector is delayed for technical reasons, according to Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova…

Bulgaria orders green energy producers to halve output – (Reuters) Bulgaria's power grid operator ordered all renewable energy producers to halve their output on Monday in an attempt to balance production and consumption in the Balkan country, the state-owned company said…

Bulgaria signs International Energy Charter – (Focus) Bulgaria joined the concluding declaration of the Ministerial Conference on the International Energy Charter, the press centre of the Ministry of Energy announced.  Bulgarian Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova signed on behalf of the Government the new International Energy Charter – a political declaration on long-term cooperation in the energy sector, which does not impose legally binding obligations…

Poor Transport, Energy Links Impede Development of SEE Countries – Plevneliev, Pusic – (Novinite) Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Croatia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic have agreed that poor transport and energy connections in Southeastern Europe are impeding the economic development of the region…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia's ERS picks GEN-I for June surplus power sale – (Reuters) Bosnia's second-largest power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) picked a local unit of Slovenia's energy trader GEN-I on Thursday to sell its power surplus available for June delivery…

Bosnia’s Q1 net electricity output edges down 0.8% y/y – (SeeNews) Bosnia’s net electricity output ticked down 0.8% on the year to 4,192 GWh in the first quarter of 2015, the country's statistics office said…

Croatia

Croatia among few EU states to plan energy savings well – (Dalje) European Union member states' governments generally fail to correctly plan energy savings in their buildings but Croatia is one of the few to have done it well, according to a Coalition for Energy Savings analysis, carried by European media…

Croatia and Slovenia Well Over 10% Electricity Interconnection Target – (Energetika) There are now 12 member states with insufficient connection with the EU electricity market: Italy, Ireland, Romania, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the UK, Spain, Poland, Cyprus, and Malta, the latter…

Poor Energy Connectivity Impedes Development of SEE – (Energetika) They were unanimous in their view that energy co-operation aimed at improving regional energy security was a challenge for the two countries.The Bulgarian President noted that the connection of the energy and…

Kosovo

Kosovo plans 36 mln euro power network upgrade tenders – EBRD – (SeeNews) Kosovo plans to launch five procurements, part of a 36 million euro ($39 million) project which will enable KOSTT, the electricity transmission system operator, achieve full compliance with the N-1 electricity transmission grid security criteria, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said…

Macedonia

Macedonia Will Only Join Turkish Stream amid Agreement between Russia, EU on it – Gruevski – (Novinite) Macedonia will join the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project when the European Commission and Russia reach agreement on the scheme, according to Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski…

Macedonia Caught In East-West Pipeline Tug-Of-War – (OilPrice) The tiny Balkan state of Macedonia can now join neighboring Greece as a pawn in the tug-of-war between Moscow and the West on developing alternative routes for delivering Russian gas to its customers in Europe. At least that’s how the Kremlin views the situation…

Macedonia set to be included in Russia pipeline plan – (World Pipelines) The tiny Balkan state of Macedonia, once a part of Yugoslavia, is likely to be part of Russia’s latest plan to build a gas pipeline to Europ, bypassing Ukraine…

Montenegro

Montenegro's EPCG installs undersea power cable in Bay of Kotor – (SeeNews) Montenegrin state-controlled power utility EPCG said it has installed a 35 kV undersea cable in the Bay of Kotor, completing an investment project worth 250,000 euro ($272,500)…

Romania

Romania, Bulgaria Back New Gas Pipeline – (Turkish Weekly) Four ex-communist countries have signed a declaration of support for the construction of a gas pipeline across all four states that will ease dependence on energy coming from Russia…

Romania’s energy strategy non-existent, says Energy minister – (ACT Media) Energy minister Andrei Gerea said on Tuesday at a Mediafax conference that it is true that Romania does not yet have an energy strategy, but that neither at the European Union’s level there is not yet clear the common direction in this area…

Romania to sign deal on regional gas network interconnection – (Romania-Insider) Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia will sign an agreement to interconnect their natural gas networks, said Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister. The agreement will increase the energy supply security for the four countries…

Competition and Romania's Electric Power Market – (IENE) Following a recent warning report from the Competition Council of Romania, the present fee system for the distribution of electric power in Romania, which is distributed differently according to geographical areas, negatively affects competition depriving the consumer of benefits, unjustified even by the security of the national power grid…

Serbia

Construction of Unit B3 of Serbia's Kostolac TPP to Start in Second Half of 2015 – (Energetika) The 350 MW unit B3 of the Kostolac B TPP should be connected to the power grid by 2020. This unit is part of the second phase of the Kostolac B TPP project package. The first phase includes the already completed…

Serbia Has Everything It Needs for Energy Market Competition – (Energetika) Meanwhile, Nenad Stefanovič from AERS pointed to the fact that one of the basic elements slowing the development of market liberalisation is the lack of full eligibility of the buyer. Stefanović told Energetika...

Croatian HEP Wants Serbia to Pay for Undelivered Electricity – (Energetika) HEP’s claims for the construction of the Obrenovac power plants are based on the credit by HEP which today amounts to the equivalent of EUR 120 million. Additionally, HEP said that 22 terawatts of electricity…

Armenia

Energy supplies diversification important for EU – (Azernews) The EU has made progress in cooperation with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus, said Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement…

Armenia hosts CIS Electrical Energy Council – (News.Am) Armenia hosted the 47th session of the CIS Electrical Energy Council that brought together energy ministers from Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan as well as representatives of energy structures from other states…

President Sargsyan: Energy is one of key sectors of Armenia-Russia cooperation – (Armenia Now) Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday received Russian Energy Minister, chairman of the CIS Electrical Energy Council Alexander Novak who arrived in Armenia to attend the 47th meeting of the Council…

Energy one of key sectors of Armenia-Russia cooperation – (News.Am) President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday received Russian Energy Minister, chairman of CIS Electrical Energy Council Alexander Novak who arrived in Armenia for participation in the 47th meeting of the Council…

Serzh Sargsyan and Alexander Novak discuss Armenian-Russian cooperation in energy sector – (ArmenPress) On May 26, President Serzh Sargsyan received Minister of Eenrgy of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Electricity Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Alexander Novak, who is in Yerevan to participate in the 47^th session of the Council…

Electric energy an important component of Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation – (Public Radio of Armenia) Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received Russian Energy Minister, President of the CIS Electrical Energy Council Alexander Novak, who has arrived in Armenia to participate in the 47th sitting of the Council in Yerevan…

‘Power’ Play: Armenians to hold rally against electricity tariff hike – (Armenia Now) Tonight, May 27, Yerevan and other Armenian cities and towns will see public rallies and protests against the expected increase in electricity tariffs. The Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) company, which belongs to the Russian state corporation Inter RAO…

Deputy Minister: Electricity price rise to promote energy efficiency – (News.Am) Electricity price rise has only one positive outcome, this may promote energy efficiency , Deputy Energy Minister Hayk Harutyunyan said during a seminar on introduction of E5P system…

Azerbaijan

Caspian Power 2015 to demonstrate achievements of energy industry in Baku – (Azer Tac) From 2 - 5 June, Caspian Power 2015, the 5th Anniversary Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition, the only trade event in the Caspian region on the energy industry, will take place at Baku Expo Center. Caspian Power is part of a series of leading energy events held by ITE Group and is a proven brand among trade exhibitions…

Int’l Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition due in Baku – (Azernews) Baku will host the 22nd largest event of the energy sector of the Caspian region - Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference (Caspian Oil & Gas 2015) on June 2-5…

Azerbaijan doesn’t see obstacle for bringing gas from Turkmenistan under Caspian Sea – (Trend) In Azerbaijan we don’t see an obstacle for bringing gas from Turkmenistan under the Caspian Sea, Vitaly Baylarbayov, deputy Vice President of SOCAR told EurActiv online magazine in an exclusive interview…

Azerbaijan looking forward to increased support of EU to realization of South Gas Corridor Project – FM – (APA) Multicultural society with its deep historical roots makes Azerbaijan an “island of peace and prosperity”. Today, all ethnicities and religions enjoy equal rights and privileges in Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov said in his speech at the 4th Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on May 22…

TANAP energy project to be cure for pain of Turkey, South East European countries – GM – (Azernews) The TANAP project, which envisages the transportation of gas of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field from the Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey, has been launched. The project's initial capacity is expected to reach 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year…

US strongly supports Azerbaijan's role in European energy diversification – (News.Am) The United States strongly supports Azerbaijan's role in European energy diversification through the Southern Gas Corridor, Secretary of State John Kerry said in his congratulatory message on Republic Day in Azerbaijan…

Azerbaijan plays key role in Southern Gas Corridor – FM – (Trend) Azerbaijan plays a key role in the Southern Gas Corridor project, since no gas from Azerbaijan means no project, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov…

Georgia

Energy high on agenda at Eastern Partnership Summit – (Financial) Energy was high on the agenda at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on 21-22 May. Summit participants signed a Declaration, which reaffirms their interest in strengthening energy security, sustainability and competiveness, as well as boosting the diversification of supply. They also reiterated their intention to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in energy…

Coming Soon: Georgia’s Very First Wind Park – (Georgia Today) The Government of Georgia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed the initial agreement of cooperation on the upcoming wind park project in Gori…

Moldova

Moldova and Romania planning to integrate energy infrastructure – (Interfax) Moldova and Romania signed a memorandum on Thursday for a project to integrate the two countries’ gas pipelines and electricity grids…

PM: Romania can invest in Moldovan energy projects – (Romania-Insider) Romania is now able to invest in the neighboring Republic of Moldova in energy interconnection projects, so that the neighbor country can have two supply sources for gas and electricity, said Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta…

Turkey

Turkey to double coal capacity in four years – (Hellenic Shipping News) Turkey is planning to double its coal power capacity in four years, the third largest investment in the polluting fossil fuel in the world, health campaigners have warned…

World Forum on Energy Regulation to be milestone for Turkey – (Anadolu Agency) The sixth World Forum on Energy Regulation will be a milestone for the Turkish energy sector in promoting the country's importance as a global energy player, said the head of Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority, EMRA, on Monday…

Energy saving is Turkey's sixth energy resource, says minister – (Daily Sabah) Energy saving is Turkey's sixth energy resource, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız said yesterday in a speech at the third meeting of the Energy Efficient Industry Project. Yıldız said Turkey is growing faster compared to the overall global growth rate, and therefore the country's responsibility is greater…

Turkey aims for renewable energy to reach 20,000 MW – (Daily Sabah) The Salman Electricity Energy Plant, with a capacity of 27.5 megawatts, was established in Sarpıncık in the Karaburun district of İzmir by FİNA Energy with a ceremony attended by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız…

Turkey: Greenhouse gas emissions on the rise, figures reveal – (Daily Sabah) Figures released by Turkey's state-run statistical agency, TurkStat, show greenhouse gas emissions rose by 20 million tons over the past years to 459.1 million tons in 2013…

Turkish President Erdogan hails importance of Southern Gas Corridor and TANAP – (Azer Tac) Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has highlighted the importance of Southern Gas Corridor and TANAP projects as he addressed the 6th World Forum on Energy Regulation that took place in Istanbul…

Turkey Adds 27.5 Megawatts More in Wind Power – (IENE) The Salman Electricity Wind Power Plant ofTurkey's Fina Enerji was opened in Izmir, a province in the Aegean region of Turkey, with the participation of Taner Yildiz, Turkey's energy and natural resources minister on Thursday…

Ukraine

Ukraine: Ukraine Supports Use Of Energy Service Agreements – (Mondaq) The President of Ukraine signed two strategic bills on energy efficiency and energy modernization of the country, adopted by the Parlament of Ukraine on 9 April 2015, in particular Law No 327-VIII "On Implementation of New Investment Opportunities, Guaranteeing Rights and Legitimate Interests of Entrepreneurs for Conducting Large-Scale Energy Sector Modernization…

Yatsenyuk sees demonopolization of energy sector as task of new head of competition agency – (Kyiv Post) Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has said that one of the key tasks of the new head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine is demonopolization of the energy sector…

Boom in demand on energy saving equipment in Ukraine – expert – (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukraine is on the threshold of an energy saving boom and high competition among energy saving equipment manufacturers is can be observed on the market, Board Chairman of public joint-stock company Frunze Plant (Kharkiv) Oleksandr Vasylenko has said...

European cash to support Ukraine's energy reforms – (UPI) The European Commission signed a $2 billion loan agreement Friday with Ukraine to help finance a reform agenda, including an overhaul of the energy sector.  European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis signed the agreement in Latvia with Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko and Ukrainian National Bank Gov. Valeria Gontareva…

Ukraine could resume imports of anthracites – energy ministry – (Interfax-Ukraine) The Energy and Coal Industry Ministry of Ukraine has said that the country could import anthracite coal from various countries, Head of the European integration department at the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry Mykhailo Bno-Airiyan wrote on his Facebook page…

Ukraine conflict hits coal industry hard – (World Coal) The conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a significant impact on the country’s coal production, according to IHS Country Rick Principal Analyst, Alex Kokcharov.  Speaking at this year’s IHS Energy Annual European Coal Outlook Conference, Kokcharov noted that the majority of Ukraine’s 145 mines were located in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk – regions that have been worst hit by the conflict…

Shelling Forces Production Halt At Eastern Ukrainian Coke Plant – (Radio Free Europe) Heavy shelling in eastern Ukraine has halted production at a coke plant operated by Ukraine's largest steel company.  One civilan was killed when the Avdiyivka plant, owned by Metinvest and located in Donetsk region, came under bombardment on May 23, according to regional police…

Germany ready to funnel EUR 200 mln in Energy Efficiency Fund created by Ukraine – (Interfax-Ukraine) The government of Germany has announced its readiness to funnel EUR 200 million into the Energy Efficiency Fund, which is being created by Ukraine to raise assets from international financial organizations for projects to boost energy efficiency in Ukraine…

Poroshenko points out successful cooperation between Ukraine, Slovakia in energy – (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia in the energy sector has been a success and has provided for the energy security of the European Union and Ukraine by removing the monopoly of Russia's Gazprom…

CORRECTED-Russia links gas discount to Ukraine with debt repayments – agencies – (Reuters) Russia's decision on an extension of a gas discount to Ukraine may take into account Ukraine's position on repayment of debts, Russian energy minister Alexander Novak said on Saturday according to comments cited in Russian news agencies…

Ukrainian gas storage injections hit maximum capacity – (ICIS) For the first time this year, natural gas injections into Ukrainian storage sites have hit their maximum technical capacity of 70 million cubic metres (mcm)/day, the Ukrainian grid operator Ukrtransgaz has announced…

 

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.