Albania

Selection of TAP pipeline formally announced in Albania – (APA) Baku-APA. The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) was chosen as the gas pipeline that would allow gas to flow directly from the Caspian region to European markets, officials said Thursday, APA reports quoting AP…

Statkraft kicks off Albania hydro – (RE News) Statkraft has kicked off construction at the 278MW Devoll hydropower plants in Albania. The scheme consists of three projects in the Devoll valley about 70km south-east of Tirana and will feature a head of 555 metres in the Devoll river…

TAP gets the nod to carry Azeri gas into Europe – (BNE) The consortium developing the giant Azeri gas field Shah Deniz gave the official nod to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) to carry its output from the Turkish border into Europe on June 28…

SOCAR is interested in Albania’s gas distribution system – (Trend) The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is interested in creating a gas distribution system in Albania, a senior SOCAR representative…

Bulgaria

Suppressing Power Rates Unlikely To Result in Price Spike – Bulgarian Energy Expert  -(Novinite) Elenko Bozhkov, member of Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR), has said that suppressing electricity prices is not likely to result in a sudden price spike in several years' time…

EC may fine Bulgaria any minute: Bulgarian energy minister – (Focus) “The European Commission (EC) may impose a fine on Bulgaria any minute, since the country should have separated the Energy System Operator from the National Electricity Company (NEK) by June 30,” said Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy, Dragomir Stoynev, in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television (BNT)…

Green Energy Producers Urge Bulgaria to Seek Exports Opportunities – (Novinite) The Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) has insisted that the country must seek options to export renewable energy abroad…

OMV starts energy survey offshore Bulgaria – (UPI) Austrian energy company OMV announced Tuesday it started a seismic investigation of potential oil and natural gas reserves off the coast of Bulgaria…

Ex Energy Minister: Belene NPP, Tsankov Kamak HPP Drove Bulgaria's Power Co into Debts – (Novinite) Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK) would have resources of BGN 600 M if the Belene nuclear power plant and the Tsankov Kamak hydropower plant had not eaten up a total of BGN 2.5 B, according to Delyan Dobrev, former Minister of Economy and Energy and current MP of center-right party GERB…

Bulgaria Faces Fine of BGN 9000 a Day over Delayed Implementation of EU's 3rd Energy Package  -(Novinite) Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK) may face penalty payments of BGN 9000 a day for months on end, according to Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev…

Energy mafia actively working against Bulgaria: Volen Siderov – (Focus) “At the moment we are witnessing an energy mafia, in which we have strongly entangled the figure of President Rosen Plevneliev and his wife. This circle of people is actively working against Bulgaria,” said Volen Siderov, leader of Ataka party, speaking at a press conference of his party, FOCUS News Agency reporter informed…

Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog to Discuss 0.15% Decrease in Gas Prices from July – (Novinite) Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) will discuss prices of natural gas from July 1 at a public sitting on Tuesday…

Bulgaria energy watchdog to sit on gas prices  -(Focus) Bulgarian State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) is to discuss Tuesday at a closed sitting the request filed by state-run operator Bulgargaz on setting the natural gas price to end-suppliers and consumers, the press office of the commission announced…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnian Federation for building gas pipeline to Croatia  -(Dalje) The government of Bosnia's Federation entity on Monday launched a procedure to adopt a final solution for connecting a gas pipeline passing through Bosnia and Herzegovina with the one in Croatia near Slavonski Brod…

EIB outlines new energy lending criteria – (European Voice) Controversy remains over whether the bank should fund coal plants.  The European Investment Bank published new plans for assessment criteria for energy projects yesterday (24 June), but the plan did little to calm controversy over whether the bank should be funding coal plants…

Bosnia utility EPBiH short-lists 3 bidders for coal unit – (Reuters) Bosnia's biggest utility EPBiH has short-listed Japan's Hitachi, a Spanish-led group and a Chinese consortium to build a 450 MW coal-fired unit at its Tuzla plant, it said on Tuesday…

Croatia

ACER Welcomes the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency – (Publics) The Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) announced that it welcomes today Croatia as the 28th Member State of the European Union…

Vestas Wins 42MW Order in Croatia – (Todays Energy Solutions) Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for 42MW. The 14 V90-3.0MW turbines will be installed in the province of Obrovac, Croatia…

Croatia Joins Greece, Italy to Push for Europe Caspian Gas Link – (Energy Tribune) Croatia has joined Greece, Albania, and Italy in pushing for the Trans-Adriatic pipeline, which would bring natural gas to Europe from the Caspian region through Turkey…

Croatia to offer gas, oil concessions in 2014  -(Business Recorder) Croatia plans to sign agreements worth millions of dollars in 2014 for exploration and exploitation of gas and oil in the Adriatic and onshore, Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak said on Tuesday…

Foreign companies promise cheaper electric energy supply – (Croatian Times) Croatia's energy market has become the centre of debates this week as foreign companies will soon be allowed to offer electric energy supply to Croat citizens…

Kosovo

"Ensure electricity supply for northern Kosovo" – (B92) The Belgrade delegation in the technical talks on energy with Priština insists that the community of Serb municipalities should have a company…

Belgrade, Pristina Continue Technical Dialogue In Brussels – (In Serbia) The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue at the expert level will continue in Brussels on Tuesday, while Serbia’s negotiating team will be joined by adviser to the Serbian president Marko Djuric and state secretary Veljko Odalovic on Wednesday…

Romania

Wind energy capacity nearly doubles in Romania in 2012, biggest increase in the region – (Romania Insider) There was a 94 percent increase in installed wind energy capacity in Romania last year…

Romania has to reform its energy policy, start drilling for offshore oil and shale gas-Basescu – (Balkans) As the Nabucco West pipeline project lost the race for Azeri gas to TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline), Romania’s President Traian Basescu says the country has to reform its energy policy and start drilling for offshore oil and shale gas..

Romania’s biggest energy company Hidroelectrica exits insolvency, following court decision – (Romania Insider) The Bucharest Court recently decided that Romania’s largest energy producer Hidroelectrica can exit insolvency…

Research Report on Romania Energy Sector Report - June 2013  -(Environmental Expert) The IntelliNews Romania Energy Sector Report offers an extensive summary of the Romanian energy sector, segmented into electricity, thermal, water, gas, oil and renewable energy markets…

ET Solar completes 50MW of PV projects in Romania  -(Renewable Energy Magazine) ET Solar Group Corp has announced the completion of three PV plants in Romania with a combined capacity of 28MW for Tinmar-Ind S.A (Tinmar). one of the country’s largest electricity suppliers and traders…

For Romania, the diversification of the energy supply resources remains a priority – (ActMedia) The Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) maintains it cooperated closely with the diplomacies of the other states involved in Nabucco project and that this experience would play a relevant role in shaping up some alternative projects and, at the same time, being a valuable exercise of regional cooperation…

Serbia

Serbian Government Adopted Energy Balance Sheet For 2013 – (In Serbia) The Serbian government adopted at its Thursday session the Strategy for prevention and protection from discrimination and defined the energy balance sheet of the Republic of Serbia for 2013…

United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia – (Scoop) In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with the Republic of Serbia, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Michael D. Kirby, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Belgrade today…

Published List Of Investors For Mini Hydro Power Plants – (In Serbia) he Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection announced on Tuesday that it approved the final list of potential investors for 213 locations at which mini hydro power plants could be built…

"Russia ready to finance gas pipeline through Serbia" – (B92) BELGRADE -- Russia is ready to fully finance the section of the South Stream gas pipeline through Serbia, a Serbian government minister has said…

Armenia

Armenian Prime Minister meets business people to discuss energy-saving systems – (ARKA) Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met today with members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers) of Armenia  to discuss a string of questions concerning the possibility of  introduction of energy-saving systems in light and other industries, the government press office said...

Minister talks Armenia’s nuke energy development prospects in Russia – (Pan Armenian) Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan participated in a Saint Petersburg–hosted conference Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century on Thursday, June 27…

Gazprom's Takeover of Armenia – (Eurasia Net) Russian energy behemoth Gazprom plans to gobble up all of the shares in its majority-owned Armenian natural gas distribution company and with it, observers fear, whatever little political and economic wiggle-room that Yerevan has in its ties with Moscow…

There is much potential of geothermal and wind energy in Armenia – (AYSOR) There is much potential of geothermal energy in Armenia. This potential amounts to 250 megawatts (25% of electricity consumed in Armenia) in Aragatsotn province, the deputy head of Pure Energy NGO Hayk Khachatrian told Aysor.am. Their NGO participated in the 6th DigiTec business forum held in Yerevan recently…

Armenia’s new energy safety doctrine will be adopted in Autumn – (AKRA) Armenia’s new energy safety doctrine will be adopted in autumn, the secretary of the National Security Council, Arthur Baghdasaryan, said today…

Iran energy seen as key to reducing Armenia’s dependence on Russia  -(Tehran Times) Iran has been active in Armenia in the past several weeks, which brings forth opinions about the likelihood of closer Armenian-Iranian relations in the time to come and the implementation of a number of major regional projects involving the two neighbors…

Armenia to host international conference on renewable energy – (The Messenger Online) The 'Energy for the Future' international conference on renewable energy will be held on October 24 and 25 in Armenia…

Energy security of Armenia reduced to zero. Part 1 – (Vestnik) Talks between the head of the board of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, and the minister of energy and natural resources of Armenia, Armen Movsisyan, took place in Moscow recently…

Energy security of Armenia reduced to zero. Part 2 – (Vestnik) The gas sphere is posing serious worries for Armenia. The gas pipeline Iran-Armenia, which began working in the mid 2000s, initially belonged to the Armenian side…

Azerbaijan

Energy: Baku has chosen TAP to transport gas via Greece – (ANSA) Azerbaijan has chosen the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) for transporting natural gas to Western Europe via Greece over rival Nabucco West, Kathimerini online reported…

Azeri gas set to reach EU via Turkey, Greece, Italy – (Daily News) The project to carry gas from Azerbaijan to Europe in the Trans-Adriatic-Pipeline through Turkey and Greece is officially confirmed, marking a possible economic gamechanger in the region..

EU welcomes Azerbaijan as new gas partner – (UPI) Members of the European Union have a new natural gas partner in Azerbaijan following a decision on a pipeline from the Caspian Sea, an EU leader said Friday…

Azerbaijan confirms TAP gas pipeline – (EnetEnglish) The pipeline, the longest section of the pipeline will be in Greece, will connect with the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline at Kipoi on the Greek-Turkish border, covering some 550km from there to Dipotamia on the Albanian border…

Oil majors to gather in Baku to discuss latest developments in Azerbaijan and Caspian region – (Azernews) World oil and gas industry leaders will assemble in Azerbaijan, the birthplace of oil and gas, to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in Azerbaijan and Caspian region…

SOCAR ensures gas exports to Georgia  -(Trends) SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) daily transports 1-1.2 million cubic meters of gas to Georgia, a source at SOCAR told Trend on Friday…

Georgia

SOCAR Georgia Gas restores gas supply to Georgian village – (Trends) Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze along with representatives of Azerbaijani company SOCAR Georgia Gas have examined the gas distribution network in the village of Gamardzhveba of Gardabani district and reviewed the gas supplies…

1 GW Georgia Solar Project Secures Government Support – (Technica) Ergon Solair has moved a step closer to the construction of a 1 GW (1,000 MW) photovoltaic solar power plant in the country of Georgia…

Georgia: The battle for Tbilisi – (The Lawyer) The economy may be stagnant, but at least Georgia can now boast freedom of speech and transparency  – and a highly competitive legal market..

Georgian minister: Trans-Caucasian corridor should be strategic for the region – (Azernews) Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze believes the country should do everything to make the Georgian Trans-Caucasian corridor strategically important for the entire region…

Georgian-British International Oil Consortium to invest $25 m in prospecting in Georgia – (Kyiv Post) The Georgian government has signed a deal with Georgian-British company International Oil Consortium on production sharing for the XIM and XIN license blocks in the east of the country, the Georgian Energy Ministry said in a press release…

Russia

Russian shale exploitation needs stimulus - Energy Minister – (RT) Russia has had shale technology since 1970s but now needs economic stimulus, says Russia’s Energy Minister Alexandr Novak talking to Business RT…

Gazprom wants to supply 15 percent of world's LNG – Miller – (Russian and India report) Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom is planning to boost its exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to corner up to 15 percent of the world market for the fuel, CEO Alexei Miller said Friday…

Why Russia must reform its energy sector – (Global Post) Russia must urgently reform its energy sector if it is to remain a global player in the energy markets, according to experts and business leaders speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum…

Russia Gambles On Utility-Scale Distributed Energy – (Forbes) Russia is taking the plunge on distributed energy generation.  Last week, Distributed Generating Company (DGC), a mid-sized power generation company based in the city of Samara, recruited Broad Street Capital Group, an international private merchant bank based in New York City,  as its exclusive financing advisor for development of Russia’s largest distributed energy generation utility project to date…

Russia to propose G20 to establish coordinating energy body – Putin – (Kyiv Post) Russia will propose that its G20 partners establish a coordinating energy body, Russian President Vladimir Putin said when speaking at the round table Summit of Energy Companies within the St. Petersburg economic forum…

Turkey

Will Shale Gas Eventually Make Turkey Energy Independent? – (Econo Monitor) The U.S. government’s Energy Information Administration notes in its report on Turkey, “Over the last two years, Turkey has seen the fastest growth in energy demand in the OECD, and unlike a number of other OECD countries in Europe, its economy has avoided the prolonged stagnation that has characterized much of the continent for the past few years…

Turkey says use of shale gas not possible before 2020 – (World Bulletin) Energy Minister Taner Yıldız confirmed that Turkey would not be able to locate and properly extract its predicted shale gas reserves before 2020…

EBRD increases investments in Turkey’s energy efficiency – (Trend) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has allocated a loan of $80 million to Turkish bank Yapı Kredi, according to the report released by EBRD…

Two Turkish companies to sell power to Iraq – (The Daily News) Turkey’s energy market watchdog (EPDK) approved the applications of two Turkish companies, Aksa and Kartet, to export power worth around 400 million Turkish Liras annually to Iraq…

Energy: Turkey has 18-year oil, 10-year gas reserves  -(ANSA) Turkey's oil reserve has 18 years, and the natural gas reserve 10 years, life expectancy without any new exploration according to current level of outputs as Anatolia news agency reports adding that 2.3 million tonnes of oil and 664 million cubic meters of natural gas were produced in Turkey last, year according to the data of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPC)…

"Turkey to reduce imports of natural gas until 2023" says energy minister – (Turkish Weekly) Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said Tuesday Turkey aimed to reduce imports of natural gas until 2023, adding, "We will produce from the domestic sources instead of importing it."…

Ukraine

Ukraine May Become Europe's Energy Hub - EU Enlargement Commissioner – (SACBEE) Ukraine remains a reliable partner of the European Union in the energy sector, particularly with respect to gas transportation and storage…

Ukraine grateful to Europe for support in energy issues  -(Kyiv Post) Kyiv is grateful to Brussels for its support of the processes to enhance the country's energy independence, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said…

EU considers Ukraine as reliable partner in energy sector – (Forum) Kyiv is grateful to Brussels for its support of the processes to enhance the country’s energy independence, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at a press conference in Luxembourg on Monday, after a meeting of the Ukraine – European Union Cooperation Council…

Ukraine to introduce mandatory renewable energy target – (Forum) In a long-term perspective Ukraine plans to introduce the policy of mandatory renewable energy target, with a minimum share of green energy at 11% of total electricity sales, member of the national commission on state energy regulations Oleksandr Rogozin told a press conference, ForUm correspondent reports…

Martifer Solar builds 5 MWp plant in Ukraine – (PV magazine) Martifer Solar is building a 5 MWp plant in Ukraine, the third photovoltaic facility it has constructed for Rengy Development. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is funding the project…

Martifer Solar to Build its Third PV Plant in Ukraine - (Eco Seed) Martifer Solar, a subsidiary of Martifer SGPS, is building a 5 MWp photovoltaic plant in Ukraine, the third constructed for Rengy Development in this country…

Turkey and Ukraine to realize joint energy project – (Vestnik) Turkey and Ukraine will realize the joint project for gas extraction in the Black Sea and the project for storage of Turkish gas in Europe, Trend cites Ukrainian Minister for Energy Yuri Boyko at a press conference in Ankara…

Ukraine's Shale Gas Revolution May Bring Country Closer to U.S. and EU - U.S. Expert – (PR newswire) The development of shale gas deposits represents strategic milestone in Ukraine's pursuit of energy independence boosting national security for Kyiv and Washington and driving Ukraine's European integration. Such was the statement by the U.S. expert on Ukrainian policy Taras Kuzio, as reported by the Wall Street Journal…

European, Ukrainian companies to discuss creation of gas hub in September, says energy minister – (Interfax) The European Union and Ukraine will discuss the creation of a gas hub in Ukraine in September, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Edward Stavytsky has said…

EU interested in developing gas hub in Ukraine, says Ukrainian premier – (Interfax) The European Union is interested in the development of a gas hub in Ukraine, Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov said at a cabinet meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday…

 

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.