Albania

ČEZ's H1 net profit grew by 5.3% yr/yr to CZK 28.6bn – (Open Call) First-half net earnings of energy utility CEZ grew by 5.3 percent yr/yr to Kc28.6bn over the end of operations in Albania and trade in carbon credits, while falling prices of electricity had a negative impact on the performance, CEZ spokeswoman Barbora Pulpanova said yesterday…

CEZ sites main factor behind the net income growth was the end of operations in Albania – (Balkans) CEZ Group releaesd its Net Income in H1 2013 report stating that net income reached CZK 28.6 bn EBITDA rose by CZK 0.9 bn (1.9%) year on year to CZK 49.2 bn. Net Income grew by 5.3% y-o-y to CZK 28.6 bn…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria to Achieve Nearly 5-Fold Increase in Local Gas Production in 10 Years – (Novinite) Bulgarian state-owned gas transmission operator Bulgartransgaz expects domestic production of natural gas to increase nearly 5-fold in 10 years…

Power Supply Recovery Fee in Bulgaria to Be Abolished – (Novinite) Yavor Kuyumdzhiev, MP of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, has said that the fee charged for re-connection to the power grid is illegal and should be abolished… 

Eastern Europe seeks shale gas ‘revolution’ – (The Globe and Mail) Eastern Europe could become the next hotbed of shale gas exploration as oil and gas moguls, such as Chevron Corp., chase opportunities in countries that want to establish their energy independence from Russia and rebuild their economies…

Bulgaria's Electricity Exports Reach 1600 MW/h – (Novinite) Bulgaria's electricity exports have reached a level of 1600 MW/h, registering a substantial increase from the rate of 128 MW/h in May 2013, according to reports of the Ministry of Economy and Energy (MIET)…

ČEZ's H1 net profit grew by 5.3% yr/yr to CZK 28.6bn – (Prague daily Monitor) First-half net earnings of energy utility CEZ grew by 5.3 percent yr/yr to Kc28.6bn over the end of operations in Albania and trade in carbon credits, while falling prices of electricity had a negative impact on the performance, CEZ spokeswoman Barbora Pulpanova said yesterday…

Brokered EU Carbon Trade Plunges as Banks Scale Back – (Bloomberg) Carbon trading via brokers including ICAP Plc and GFI Group Inc. plunged to its lowest since at least January 2011 as banks scaled back buying and selling amid tighter regulation and a record glut of permits…

GERB would support a loan of even BGN 3bn if used for energy efficiency – (Standart) If the proposed budget update would include provisions about energy efficiency or e-government, the GERB parliamentary group will support it even up to an amount of BGN 2-3 billion, GERB leader Boyko Borisov told in an interview with Focus yesterday…

Bulgaria's household natural gas consumption in Bulgaria is lagging behind the EU – (Balkans) With only 2.6% of all users, household natural gas consumption in Bulgaria is lagging behind the EU average of 30%. Therefore, Bulgartransgas is planning to develop its transmission network via active investments in order to reach the 30% European average of domestic natural gas use by 2020, the company announced in its 10 years plan which it presented to the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission…

Power prices cut Bulgarian inflation amid budget limbo – (Global Post) Bulgarian inflation plunged to 0.5 percent in July from 2.6 percent in June and to the lowest level for three and a half years, official data showed on Tuesday…

Bulgaria Allows Methane Hydrate Research Off Its Black Sea Coast – (Publics) Bulgarian scientists would also join the international research team aboard the Maria S. Merian, a German ship allowed to sail the Bulgarian Black Sea waters in Dec 2013 - Jan 2014…

Macedonia

Macedonia will reap benefits of joining South Stream – (Setimes) Access to high-quality natural gas will ensure lower costs and increase the competitiveness of Macedonian industry and the economy, experts said, following the signing of an agreement last month for Macedonia to join the South Stream pipeline project…

Macedonian gas prices drop as of midnight – (MINA) The new price of EUROSUPER BS-95 is Denar 81 per liter, EUROSUPER BS-98 - Denar 82.50, EURODIESEL (DE-V) - Denar 69.50 and extra light household fuel (EL-1) - Denar 58, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has decided…

Montenegro

Montenegro begins implementation of the "energy wood" – (Balkans) Ministry of Economy of Montenegro in cooperation with the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation (Lux-Development) began implementation of the "ENERGY WOOD", which aims to establish an attractive and sustainable financial mechanism for providing interest-free loans for households to install heating systems to modern forms of biomass (pellets and briquettes)…

Germany plans to provide development assistance to Montenegro – (Balkans) Germany is a leading country in providing development assistance to Montenegro and, thanks to joint efforts, a number of valuable projects in the areas of infrastructure, energy and tourism have been already implemented, Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Đukanović told the press conference following his meeting with Dirk Niebel, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, in Podgorica Montenegro…

Romania

China Sunergy wins 10 MW solar energy contracts in Romania  -(POWERGRID International ) Solar power cell and module manufacturer China Sunergy signed a pair of solar power module supply contracts totaling 9.9 MW with Bester Generacion, an engineering, procurement and construction company headquartered in Spain. The solar modules will be supplied from the company's Turkey plant to Romania in September 2013…

Balkan worries, power prices stifle CEZ outlook – (Reuters) Czech electricity producer CEZ opted not to deliver an expected increase to 2013 profit guidance on Tuesday, reflecting concerns that it may have to write down the value of some of its Balkan operations in the second half…

Romania, a net energy importer in 2012  -(Act Media) Energy imports in 2012 increased by nearly 35 per cent from the previous year, with Romania ending the year a net importer of energy, for the first time in five years, according to a report by the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) posted on the authority's website…

ADX Energy Limited (ASX:ADX) Romania Seismic Operations Update – (ABN NewsWire) ADX Energy Ltd is pleased to report the acquisition of additional 2D and 3D seismic data in its Romanian EX-10 Parta license is expected to start in September…

Sunergy wins 9.9MW in Romania – (Re News) China Sunergy has clinched solar module supply contracts totaling 9.9MW in Romania.  The deal with Spanish engineering, procurement and construction outfit Bester Generacion covers two ground-mounted projects…

CEZ Second-Quarter Earnings Slide 16% on Declining Power Prices  -(Bloomberg) CEZ AS, the Czech Republic’s largest electricity company, said second-quarter earnings fell 16 percent as power prices dropped and production declined…

countries to cut renewable support further: Wynn  -(Reuters) EU countries are likely to pare back support for renewable energy further after Spain's recent proposed overhaul. Those most likely to take action are countries with more expensive schemes, programmes nearing their environmental targets or nations with higher political risk…

Balkan worries, power prices stifle CEZ outlook – (Reuters) Czech electricity producer CEZ (CEZP.PR) opted not to deliver an expected increase to 2013 profit guidance on Tuesday, reflecting concerns that it may have to write down the value of some of its Balkan operations in the second half…

Serbia

ALSTOM : Grid Turkey awarded first generator step-up transformer for Serbia – (4 Traders) Alstom Grid Turkey will manufacture its first generator step-up transformer for the Tent-B Nikola Tesla Power Plant 1 in Serbia…

Serbia plans to conclude contracts for new energy facilities next year – (Balkans) Serbia's Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Zorana Mihajlovic announced that the task of this ministry for the next year will be to conclude pre-contracts and contracts for new energy facilities and to complete the reform of public companies…

Serbia Will Not Pay Any Damages – Ministry Of Energy – (In Serbia) The Ministry of Energy issued statement today that American company “Securum Equity Partners”, which broke the agreement with the Serbian government on building a solar park in Serbia, has no grounds to ask EUR 160 million in damages…

Alstom Grid secures contract for power plant in Serbia – (EBR) Electric equipment supplier Alstom Grid Turkey has secured a contract valued at about EUR35m with power generation firm Public Enterprise- Electric Power Industry of Serbia (PE EPS) to supply a generator step-up transformer for Tent-B Nikola Tesla Power Plant 1 in Serbia…

Serbia's energy has become the most profitable and attractive sector for investments – (Balkans) In its first year of work, Serbia's Ministry of Energy and Environment focused most attention on raising energy efficiency and exploring renewable energy sources in Serbia…

Consumer prices, in Serbia, fell by 0.9% in July – (Balkans) According to Serbia's Statistical Office data, consumer prices fell by 0.9% in July mainly owing to the seasonal drop in vegetable prices…

Serbia's free trade agreements with Turkey and Russia creates a golden opportunity – (Balkans) Most people are aware of Serbia's free trade agreement but what is less known is Serbia's free trade agreement with Turkey. Free trade agreements also exist between Kazakhstan, Belarus, CEFTA, EFTA, European Union and the USA…

Armenia

Shirinyan: Russia is not to blame for gas price rise  -(Panorama) Russia pressures Armenia using foreign resources on the threshold of Vilnius Summit, where the Association Agreement is set to be pre-signed, political scientist Aghasi Yenokyan told reporters when commenting on the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Baku…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President: TAP provides best and most attractive conditions for investors – (Trend) The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) provides the best and most attractive conditions for investors, and we are very glad that this project was selected in a fair competition, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta in Baku on Aug. 11…

Electricity and gas consumption increase in Azerbaijan – (Trend) In 2012 the consumption of electricity in Azerbaijan amounted to 19 billion kilowatts/hour compared to 15.51 billion kilowatts/hour in 2011…

Azerbaijan’s power generation grew by 20% in July – (abc.az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani national energy producer Azerenerji OJSC increased generating power by 20% in July against June 2013. The last year’s power generation index exceeded the 2011 figure by 6.5%...

Ismayilli-1 hydroelectric station set in operation – (APA) On August 14, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of hydroelectric power station Ismayilli-1, built near Sumagalli village of Ismayilli, APA-ECONOMICS reports…

EC to work with Azerbaijan to increase gas supplies – (AzerNews) The European Commission will continue to work with Azerbaijan and all involved countries for increasing the volumes supplied through the Southern Gas Corridor, opening the possibility of construction of the second pipeline through Central Europe to Austria, the spokesperson to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, told Trend on Tuesday…

Partners’ expenditures on energy projects in Azerbaijan exceed $1billion – (Trend) The expenditure for fulfilling contracts and orders within projects operated by BP in Azerbaijan totaled $1.02 billion in January-June…

U.S. increase imports of oil products from Azerbaijan – (Trend) In January-May 2013, the U.S. imported 58,000 barrels of oil from Azerbaijan, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Tuesday…

Azerbaijan and Russia agree oil and gas JV – (BNE) Azerbaijan and Russia signed two deals on August 13 which lay the ground for the pair to set up a joint venture to explore and develop oil and gas resources. The deal is likely to stir concern in Brussels…

Georgia

Georgia's Kutaisi to use alternative sources of energy – (Vestnik) Alternative sources of energy are going to be used in the Georgian city of Kutaisi. According to Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze, a windpower plant is going to be built in the city…

Electricity supply to several Georgian regions to be limited tomorrow – (Trend) Energy supply to several regions of Georgia as well as to the capital will be limited in connection with the repair work on the Imereti power line from 8:00 to 10:00 on Saturday, Georgia's Deputy Minister of Energy Ilia Eloshvili announced at a press conference…

Georgia to shut down electricity on Saturday – (Vestnik) The regions of Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti in the Eastern Georgia, Imereti (Western Georgia), Mtskheta (Mtskheta-Mtianeti) and such districts as Gurjaan and Telavi (Kakheti Region), Gldani, Mukhiani, Varketili and Temka of Tbilisi will have 500-KW power lines shut down for maintenance at 8.00-10.00 am on August 10, News Georgia reports…

Georgia-Russian relations are improving – (EurActiv) Georgia’s foreign policy priorities have not changed since last year’s election which brought to power Georgian Dream party of Bidzina Ivanishvili, but relations with Russia are improving, writes Tedo Japaridze…

Russia

Energy: Samaras asks Putin to help lower gas prices – (ANSA) Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has written to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it emerged on Monday, to ask for gas giant Gazprom to reduce the price at which it supplies Greece, which pays roughly 30% more than the European average for its natural gas…

Gazprom Advances After Winning Moscow Utility for $3 Billion (1) – (Bloomberg Business Week) OAO Gazprom (OGZD), the biggest natural-gas producer, rose to a three-week high in Moscow trading after submitting the winning bid for a local heating company…

Russia interested in development of natural gas market in Azerbaijan – (Trend) Russia is interested in development of natural gas market in Azerbaijan. It was stated in the report of the Ministry of Energy upon the results of bilateral meeting between leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan in Baku, which was attended by Energy Minister Alexander Novak…

Rosneft to sign oil and gas deal with Azerbaijan – (Reuters) Russia's top crude producer Rosneft will sign a broad oil and gas cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan on Tuesday, industry sources said, the first step towards increasing its presence in a country Europe hopes will meet its energy demands.

Russia's Rosneft seals key Azerbaijan oil and gas deal – (Global post) Russian crude giant Rosneft on Tuesday signed an oil and gas agreement with Azerbaijan's state energy company aimed at loosening the European Union's ties with the key Caspian market…

Gazprom unit wins $3 billion auction for Moscow heat supplier – (Reuters) A unit of state-run gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM) has won an auction to buy 90 percent of Moscow power generation company MOEK, with a bid of 98.6 billion roubles ($3 billion), according to results of the auction seen by a Reuters reporter…

Siemens secures major order for LNG project – (Zawya) Siemens will deliver the key components for a power station that is going to supply the future Yamal LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) production plant in Northern Russia with electricity and heat…

Turkey

Turkish Solar Energy Capacity Gets a Big Boost – (The Energy Collective) From the small, ancient Turkish town of Burdur comes exciting news in solar today.  Burdur happens to be one of the oldest settlements in the world, dating back to 7000 BC, centred around a spectacular lake…

GE to Provide 13 Wind Turbines to GAMA Enerji Turkey Wind Farm – (Balkans) GAMA Holding-GE Energy Financial Services joint venture, has achieved financial close and completed the first drawdown for a 35-megawatt (MW) wind power plant in Akhisar, Manisa, 40 kilometers from Izmir, Turkey…

GE builds up wind portfolio in Turkey – (Wind Power) Gama Enerji, the joint venture between Gama Holding and GE Energy Financial Services, has completed the financing required for its 35MW 13-turbine Gok ll wind project near Izmir in Turkey…

Turkey's GAMA Enerji Invests in GE Wind Turbines – (Alternative Energy Magazine) a GAMA Holding-GE Energy Financial Services joint venture, has achieved financial close and completed the first drawdown for a 35-megawatt (MW) wind power plant in Akhisar, Manisa, 40 kilometers from Izmir, Turkey…

Eastern farmers to get cheaper power in Turkey – (Daily News) Dicle EDAŞ, the power distribution company serving southeastern provinces, has cut electricity prices to one-fifth of market prices for the farmers in the region…

Turkey's SE province power company cut electricity prices to one-fifth of market prices for the farmers – (Balkans) Dicle EDAŞ, the power distribution company serving southeastern provinces, has cut electricity prices to one-fifth of market prices for the farmers in the region…

Ukraine

U.S. Will Help Ukraine Increase Energy Independence  -(Herald Online) Supporting Ukraine's aspirations to achieve greater energy independence remains one of the major priorities of the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey R. Pyatt…

Activ Solar completes 69.7MWp Nikolayevka Solar Park in Ukraine – (EBR) Austrian solar power developer Activ Solar completed the installation and has now begun the commissioning works at the 69.7MWp Nikolayevka Solar Park in the Simferopol region of Crimea, Ukraine…

Ukrainian solar on the rise despite wary investors – (PV magazine) Solar is booming in Ukraine thanks to attractive FIT rates but the country's tarnished political system is keeping foreign investors out of the country, say industry insiders…

Ambasador: US to help Ukraine achieve greater energy independence – (Kyiv Post) The United States wants to help Ukraine achieve greater energy independence and support the country's European choice, new U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, who arrived in Kyiv in early August, said in an interview with Radio Liberty…

U.S. to help Ukraine achieve energy independence – (Forum) The U.S. is interested in Ukraine's energy independence, as well as in its European integration. This will be the main priority of the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt. He stated this in an interview…

Ukraine project to use livestock waste for energy – (Global Meat) The European bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has praised a planned 3.1 Million loan to a Ukraine beef producer for setting up a biogas plant as good practice promoting meat sector energy efficiency.

Activ Solar completes 69.7MW Nikolayevka Solar Park in Ukraine – (PV Tech) Austrian PV developer Activ Solar has completed construction work on the 116 hectare Nikolayevka Solar Park in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine…

Ukraine electricity consumption down by 4.1pct in YoY – (Steel Guru) It is reported that electricity consumption, including in process losses in the Ukrainian grids, fell by 4.1%, or by 4.555 KWh, YoY in January-July, to 106.209 billion KWh…

Ukraine cuts electricity consumption by 4.1% in 7 months – (Interfax) Electricity consumption, including in-process losses in the Ukrainian grids, in January-July 2013 fell by 4.1%, or by 4.555 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), year-over-year, to 106.209 billion kWh…

Punishment for increased utility tariffs: what is next? – (Forum) Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has instructed to deal with the issue of unjustified increase in utility tariffs in the regions, down to dismissal of officials…

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