Albania

TAP allows to create new gas markets and enhance energy security: source – (Azernews) The Trans Adriatic Pipeline has the potential to create new gas markets and to enhance energy security in South East Europe, a source at the TAP told Azerbaijan's Trend news agency amid the increasing support for the realization of Nabucco, which lost in a competition to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe…

EU still committed to project on gas pipeline development through Central-Eastern Europe  -(Azernews) The European Commission stays committed to the development a pipeline through Central-Eastern Europe, a source at the Energy Department of the European Commission told Trend…

Bulgaria

Bulgarian, Serbian Energy Ministers Back South Stream Gas Pipeline – (Novinite) Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev has insisted that the South Stream gas pipeline project will give a boost to the Bulgarian economy…

Energy in Bulgaria expensive for middle class as well  -(Focus) Currently most Bulgarians set aside the major part of their income for energy needs. In 2012 households spent 14.4% of their average annual income on energy bills. This would mean that energy poverty affects the Bulgarian middle class as well, as the threshold is 10%...

Probed Energy Expert: Bulgaria Will Lose Belene Arbitration – (Novinite) Bulgaria will definitely lose the arbitration case for compensation sought by Russian Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project…

Bulgaria ranks 70th out of 129 countries of the Energy Sustainability Index – (Balkans) Bulgaria ranks 70th out of 129 countries in the 2013 edition of the Energy Sustainability Index of the World Energy Council.  The top ten positions in the ranking are occupied by European countries, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) informs…

Probed Bulgarian Energy Consultant Claims Overdue Payments – (Novinite) Bulgarian energy consultant, Bogomil Manchev, declared Thursday the country's National Electric Company, NEK, still owed him EUR 950 000 and he was, most likely, going to sue it over the unpaid amount…

CEZ Bulgaria: No damages, power distribution network untouched by bad weather  -(Focus) “There are no material damages and the power distribution network sustained the bad weather conditions,” said Viktor Stanchev, exploitation and maintenance manager at CEZ Distribution Bulgaria, speaking for Radio FOCUS…

Bulgaria Mulls Reduction of Russian Gas Imports  -(RIA) Bulgaria is planning to cut the share of Russian natural gas imports to 50 percent of its annual consumption within the next five years to ensure steady energy supply for the country’s growing economy, Bloomberg reported citing President Rosen Plevneliev…

Bulgaria-Serbian gas interconnector has to be built by 2017: minister  - (Focus) The reversible gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Serbia has to be built by 2017, Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy Dragomir Stoynev said at a news briefing after a meeting with Serbian Minister of Energy, Development and Environment Protection Zorana Mihajlovic, FOCUS News Agency reported…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia wins German loan for renewables projects –(Climate Spectator) German state-owned development bank KfW on Wednesday sealed a €172 million ($248 million) loan deal with Bosnia to help the country develop several renewable energy projects and improve the water supply system…

Two bidders left for Bosnian 450 MW coal-fired project – (Reuters) Two bidders remain in the running to build a 450 megawatt (MW) coal-fired unit at the Tuzla power plant in Bosnia, an official at the country's top power utility EPBiH said on Thursday, adding a third bidding consortium had been dropped…

German KfW sealed a €172 million renewable energy loan with Bosnia Herzegovina – (Balkans) German state-owned development bank KfW on Wednesday sealed a €172 million ($248 million) loan deal with BosniaHerzegovina to help the country develop several renewable energy projects and improve the water supply system…

Public companies in Bosnia in deep financial trouble – (Balkans) Bosnia and Herzegovina's Sarajevo trams and trolley buses ground to a halt on Monday after Bosnia's top power utility, EPBiH, cut electricity supplies to the capital's public transport company over unpaid bills…

Croatia

Davutoglu heads to Croatia for energy forum – (World Bulletin) Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will head to Croatia on Thursday to participate in the 8th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES)…

RWE supplies 10,800 households with electricity, wants to enter gas market – (Dalje) The RWE Energija electricity provider supplies electricity to 10,800 households in Croatia, the company reported on Tuesday and announced that the company had submitted an application to provide gas supplies…

Kosovo

European Bank for Reconstruction and Develo : EBRD launches Kosovo Sustainable Energy Projects Framework  -(4 Trader) Improving the generation, use and supply of energy is a key challenge for Kosovo…

Macedonia

Macedonia has not reached a decision on a nuclear power program – (Balkans) The(FYR) Macedonia government hasn't reached a decision to launch a nuclear power programme. If it reaches such a decision, then a referendum will be organized for the citizens to be able to say whether they support it or not…

Romania

Snapshot of Nuclear Energy in Romania – (Balkans) Last week the Romanian state-owned nuclear power plant Nuclearelectrica sold 10% of its shares through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, in return for 63 million euros. Nuclearelectrica also offered new shares equal to a 1.077% stake to its minority shareholder Fondul Proprietatea to allow it to keep its stake in the company intact…

CEZ scales back new investments in tough power market – (Reuters) is taking a wait-and-see approach to new investment as low power prices pressure energy companies and will scale back renewable plans due to an uncertain regulatory landscape, the Czech utility's chief strategy officer said…

Traian Basescu: Romania - Rep. of Moldova energy interconnection must be achieved as soon as possible – (Act Media) The interconnection between Romania and the Republic of Moldova's energy systems must be achieved as soon as possible, President Traian Basescu declared on Monday on receiving Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova, Igor Corman…

Many countries ready to take leap into shale  -(The Japan Times) Spain and Romania have also handed out exploration licenses…

Emerging solar markets set for rapid installation expansion through 2017, says IMS Research – (DigiTimes) The next big opportunity for growth in the global solar business lies in small, emerging markets where photovoltaic (PV) installations are forecast to rise at about triple the global average during the period from 2012-2017…

OTC electricity trading platform to become operational on Feb. 1, 2014 – (Act Media) An over-the-counter (OTC) platform for electricity trading in Romania will become operational on February 1, 2014, Director General of Romania's OPCOM gas and electricity market operator Victor Ionescu told a conference on Tuesday on the liberalisation of the power market…

Serbia

Serbia's PM says that said that cooperation with Russia in the energy sector is "a sensitive political" issue – (Balkans) Serbias' Prime Minister Ivica Dačić has said that cooperation with Russia in the energy sector is "a sensitive political and not just an economic issue."..

Bulgaria’s ambition is to have gas interconnector with Serbia by 2017  -(The Sofia Globe) Bulgaria’s hope is that the gas interconnector with Serbia will be completed no later than 2017, according to Dragomir Stoinev, economy and energy minister in the Bulgarian Socialist Party government…

Most Attractive Solar Markets in Europe – (PR NewsWire) The Most Attractive Solar Markets in Europe provides a comparative framework for analysing the potential and relative attractiveness of national-level solar markets in Europe and for assessing macro conditions, access to market, national energy policy, growth potential of renewable power and infrastructure considerations…

Armenia

Armenia’s education ministry and Armenian electric networks to enhance schoolchildren’s awareness of safe usage of electricity – (ARKA) Armenia’s education and science ministry and the Armenian Electric Networks signed a cooperation agreement on Friday to intensify their efforts for enhancing secondary school students’ awareness of safe consumption of electric power…

Armenian nuclear power station withdrawn from energy production network – (Armpress)   The Armenian nuclear power station has been withdrawn from the energy production network at 2:20 on September 22 for the organization of the events on recharge, annual planned restoration, as well as for the increasing the level of safety…

Increase in prices for gas and electricity accounted for 2.5% of September inflation in Armenia – (ARKA) Increase in prices for gas and electricity accounted for 2.5% of inflation in Armenia in September 2013 against December 2012, head of price statistics and international comparisons of ArmStat Gurgen Martirosyan said. In general, 3.2% inflation was recorded in the period, he told a press conference Tuesday…

Azerbaijan

Geothermal water energy another alternative for Azerbaijan – (Azernews) Technical and economic indicators and ways of using geothermal water have been explored in Azerbaijan. According to the Industry and Energy Ministry, the country possesses 400 million cubic meters per day of operated geothermal water with 30C-100C temperature…

Azerbaijan accedes to study of Germany’s experience on energy efficient refurbishment of buildings – (abc.az) Project “Energy Saving Initiative in the Building Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” (ESIB) of INOGATE program of the European Union has organized a study tour to Germany for the beneficiary countries…

Reliable electricity – guarantor of Azerbaijan’s energy security – (Azernews) Azerbaijan's energy sector has traditionally been the flagship of the country's economy. The republic established itself as a reliable supplier of oil and oil products long ago… 

Pieces moving into place for Azerbaijan-to-Europe gas line – (Chart LNG) Prospects for completing a natural gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Europe improved significantly in June when the Shah Deniz consortium selected the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) proposal as the project's final link, experts at a Sept. 13 Jamestown Foundation forum agreed…

Azerbaijani gas supply to Europe in focus of Rome conference – (Azernews) An international conference on transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe was held in Rome, Italy, AzerTag state news agency reported…

SOCAR Turkey Enerji: Azerbaijan is biggest investor in Turkey – (Trend) Azerbaijan is Turkey's biggest investor, head of SOCAR Turkey Enerji and board member of Petkim Petrochemical Holding Kenan Yavuz told Trend today…

Azerbaijan has serious resource base for future increases in gas exports to Europe – (Trend) The first 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas are just a beginning of the process of deliveries to Europe, the head of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev said in an interview with Caspian Energy journal…

SOCAR to install new equipment at Bulla Deniz emergency well – (Azernews) Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR has launched the installation of the control head in the emergency gas exploration well at the Caspian field of Bulla Deniz that has been blazing since August 17, SOCAR head Rovnag Abdullayev told journalists on October 1…

Georgia

Georgian Ministry of Energy comments possible provision of Baku-Supsa pipeline on separatist territories – (Trend) Part of the Baku-Supsa pipeline will enter the territory of the separatist regions if the Russian troops move to one kilometer near the village of Karafila (Shida Kartli , Eastern Georgia), Deputy Minister of Energy of Georgia Ilia Eloshvili said…

USD 6 bln Private Equity Fund Launched – (Civil.ge) Launch of a much-anticipated private equity fund of USD 6 billion, targeting energy, manufacturing, tourism, logistics and agriculture, was announced by PM Ivanishvili on September 30…

No problem for Baku-Supsa section in break-away region – Georgian ministry – (News AZ) Part of Baku-Supsa pipeline will enter the territory of the breakaway regions in case Russian troops advance by one kilometer near the village of Karafil (Shida Kartli, eastern Georgia),” Deputy Energy Minister of Georgia Ilya Eloshvili said…

Hungary plans to invest 350 million Euro in Georgia – (The Messenger online) Executive Director of the Georgian Partnership Fund Irakli Kovzanadze received Hungary's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, Peter Szijjarto, on Monday…

Russia

Russia offers first ever subsidies for renewable energy – (PV Magazine) The world's largest oil producer plans to develop its renewable energy sector – which currently produces just 0.8% of the country's power – and has hosted its first clean power auction, with 39 ventures securing subsidies…

World Bank: Russian Energy Strength is Economic Weakness – (Oil Price) The head of the World Bank in Russia said Wednesday he was alarmed by the slowdown in the Russian economy.  The bank said the Russian economy was slow to emerge from a recession still gripping parts of the eurozone despite recovery elsewhere in the world…

Russian Energy Giants Battle over Natural Gas – (24/7 Wall Street) Russian oil giant Rosneft wants in on the country’s natural gas business, which is controlled by the country’s other energy giant, natural gas producer Gazprom…

EU and Russia Will Find a Solution for South Stream to the Third Energy Package, Says Russian Deputy Minister of Energy  -(PR Newswire) Security of supply, diversification of energy sources and a strong partnership between the energy enterprises of Europe: these were the questions addressed at "South Stream: The Evolution of a Pipeline", a conference held today in Milan, where leaders of South Stream and Gazprom, along with governmental partners and sector stakeholders, analysed the social, environmental and economic impacts of the South Stream pipeline…

For the First Time, Russia Subsidizes Renewable Energy – (Sustainable Business) For the first time, Russia is subsidizing renewable energy - solar, wind and small hydro.  In its first auction, 39 projects won bids to develop 504 megawatts (MW). Another auction is planned for June…

Russia introduces tax breaks to encourage new oil exploration –  (Reuters) - Russia introduced new tax breaks on Monday encouraging oil firms to explore hard to reach undersea fields, in the hope of unlocking new reserves as the country approaches full production capacity from its dwindling oil deposits in West Siberia…

Iran, Russia to Connect Electricity Networks in Near Future –(Tasnim News Agency) TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's energy minister said the new government is serious about increasing electricity exports and connecting the national grid to those of all neighboring countries…

Turkey

Privatization of power grids over, Turkey's finance minister says – (Daily News) The privatizations in the power distribution sector were completed this week with the transfer of the Toroslar Elektrik (Power Distribution company) to the private sector, said Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, adding that a total of $12.7 billion was obtained from the privatization of 18 state-run companies in the sector…

'Turkey turns into an energy centre'  -(World Bulletin) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday, "Turkey turns into an energy centre in the region as the economy and prosperity improves each day resulting from our 'silent reforms'."..

Electricity distribution in Turkey fully transferred to private sector – (Trend) Distribution of electricity in Turkey has been fully handed over to the country's private sector, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said, Anadolu agency reported on Tuesday…

Insight into Turkey's energy market and new energy exchange 'EPİAŞ' – (GT) Turkey’s liberalisation of the electricity market has demonstrated its ambition to become an energy hub in the heart of Europe and the Middle East…

GE invests $515 million in Turkish energy and other projects – (Reuters) General Electric (GE.N) has already invested more than half of the $900 million it has earmarked for Turkey on projects ranging from energy to healthcare to locomotive production, Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said on Thursday…

Supportive laws stimulate Turkey's electric vehicle market  -(Electric Light and Power) Turkey is set for the era of electric vehicles (EVs), as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) prepare for the launch of new EVs and the development of charging infrastructure gathers pace…

Else Enerji installs first solar PV plant of Sivas Province, Turkey – (Solar Server) Else Enerji (Ankara, Turkey) completed installation and commissioning of a 500 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) farm, established on 250.000 m² near Sivas-Ankara highway at a Marka Group Fattening Farm, one of the biggest PV power plants in Anatolia…

Ukraine

Ukraine to gain energy independence in medium term – (ForUm) Ukraine will be able to produce 25-30 billion cubic meters of gas more on its own territory in the medium term, energy and coal industry minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky told a briefing at the Cabinet of Ministers, ForUm correspondent reports…

Aleator Energy to fast track drilling of Ukraine gas well, €5M loan secured – (Proactive Investors) Aleator Energy (ASX: AWD) will fast track drilling of its highly anticipated POV-105 appraisal well at its Povorotnoye gas field in Ukraine after securing a €5 million (A$7.2 million) loan agreement with a syndicate of European investors…

Xinhua: Ukraine seeks to attract $1 billion for energy-saving projects  -(Kyiv Post) The Ukrainian government has plans to attract around 1 billion U.S. dollars for implementing new energy-saving projects in the next three years, Deputy Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul announced Wednesday…

Yanukovych expects world's leading companies to start energy production in Ukraine – (Kyiv Post) Ukraine will continue to expand the production of its own energy resources, particularly shale gas, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych has said…

Regions MP calls for reform of diversified Ukraine energy sector – (Ukrainian Journal) Ukraine, on the road to diversifying energy supplies, should more actively work on the reform of the energy sector, the development of gas production, and the creation of an enabling environment for investors, said Regions Party MP Anatoliy Kinakh, first deputy chairman of Parliament's Committee on National Security and Defense…

Deputy energy minister: It's difficult to organize reverse gas supplies through Slovakia excluding Gazprom – (Kyiv Post) It is difficult to organize reverse gas supplies from Europe to Ukraine without taking into account the position of Russia's Gazprom, Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Andriy Bondarenko considers…

EBRD provides €5.4m for Ukraine solar – (NewNet News and Review) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing €5.4m of financing to Teplodar PiVi for a 4.2MW solar plant in the Odessa region of Ukraine...

Ukraine reaches deal for Black Sea gas – (Business Recorder) Ukraine said Thursday it has reached a natural gas production-sharing agreement with a consortium led by Exxon and Shell, its latest step towards energy diversification and reducing its dependence on Russia…

Energy-saving project to get state support – (ForUM) The state agency on energy-efficiency and energy-saving of Ukraine has announced a contest for selection of the best projects on implementation of modern technologies of hot and cold water supplies to communal and social facilities, Cabinet's information-analytical bulletin says…

Ukraine's solar plants in next five years will increase capacity by 7 times, reads forecast  -(Kyiv Post) The total installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants to be built in Ukraine in 2013-2017 will amount to 2.2 GW, and the country will join the top five emerging markets for the development of solar energy in the world thanks to the system facilitating the development of renewable energy sources created over a few past years…

 

 

  

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.