Albania

Albania, Greece committed to promoting cooperation– (CCTV) Leaders of Albania and Greece vowed to promote cooperation between the two countries as the Hellenic-Albanian Economic and Energy Roundtable was held here on Monday…

New dispute settlement case against Albania regarding energy efficiency directive – (Energetika) The Energy Community Secretariat considers that the transposition and application of the of EU directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services in the Contracting Parties – the deadline…

Macedonia and Albania look toward a promising future – (SETimes) Leaders in Albania and Macedonia hope that 2014 will bring greater co-operation between the neighbouring countries, particularly in improving the economy, road and railway infrastructure and energy projects…

Bulgaria

Bulgaria to increase energy efficiency investments in public buildings and services – (Balkans) The EBRD is launching a programme – supported by Bulgaria's Ministry of Economy and Energy and the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF) – to increase energy efficiency investments in public buildings and services in Bulgaria…

Bulgaria energy minister: I was assigned with talks over Kozloduy NPP unit 7 – (Focus) “I was given mandate by the Bulgarian government for negotiations over the construction of unit 7 at the Kozloduy NPP right before I left on a visit to the U.S.,” Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy, Dragomir Stoynev, said speaking with journalists, FOCUS News Agency reported…

EBRD and KIDSF Support Energy Efficiency Investments In Bulgaria's Public Sector – (Hispanic Business) The European Union's European Bank for Reconstruction and Development issued the following news release: The EBRD is launching a programme - supported by the Ministry of Economy and Energy and the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF)…

Bulgaria wants diversification of nuclear energy, too – (Focus) “Much work is yet due to be done on the project for construction of a seventh unit at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP. Everything is at a preliminary stage,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said speaking with journalists in Bucharest where he attends China-Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Leaders’ Meeting, the press office of the Bulgarian government announced…

Bulgaria energy minister to launch gas supply service in Sandanski – (Focus) Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy Dragomir Stoynev is to take part in the solemn ceremony for the official launching of gas supply service in the south-western Bulgarian town of Sandanski on Monday, November 25, the press office of the ministry announced…

The Wall Street Journal: Bulgaria wants diversified nuclear sector, talking with USA – (Standart) Bulgaria's prime minister Tuesday said the country should diversify away from traditional Russian suppliers in its just-launched effort to build a new reactor at the country's existing Kozloduy nuclear power plant, The Wall Street Journal reports…

Relationship between the U.S. and Bulgaria broken new ground: Energy Minister – (Focus) Minister of Economy and Energy Dragomir Stoynev, in an interview with Radio Focus correspondent at the end of his working visit to the U.S. Focus: Minister Stoynev your visit to the U.S. has ended. Your last meeting during the visit was with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. Energy seems to be the topic that troubles the most the Bulgarian society. What's the latest news, what are the results...

European Bank for Reconstruction and Develo : EBRD and KIDSF support energy efficiency investments in Bulgaria’s public sector – (4 Trader) The EBRD is launching a programme - supported by the Ministry of Economy and Energy and the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF) - to increase energy efficiency investments in public buildings and services in Bulgaria…

GE Interested in Construction for Bulgarian TPP, South Stream – (Novinite) US energy giant General Electric has expressed interest in building new powers at Bulgaria's Martisa Iztok TPS, and in contributing to the construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline, revealed Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev…

Bulgaria foreign minister: Belene NPP is a project we have not fully renounced – (Focus) “Belene NPP is a project that we have not completely renounced. If it is judged that the project is efficient, then it may be restarted,” Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin said speaking for TV7…

Croatia

Croatian energy firm INA to rely on domestic gas sources starting from 2014 – (Hispanic Business) Croatian oil and gas conglomerate INA will turn to domestic natural gas sources after its contract with Italy's ENI expires on December 31, 2013 , the company said, cited by news-agency HINA…

MOL Requests Arbitration With Croatia on INA Unit – (The Wall Street Journal) Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Nyrt. (MOL.BU) said Tuesday that it has filed a request for arbitration with an international arbitration institution to settle a dispute over its Croatian unit and peer INA d.d. (INA.ZG) with the Croatian firm's fellow owner, the Croatian government…

Macedonia

President attends start of S. Stream works ceremony – (B92) According to the president, it also means Serbia's a country "of peace, not conflict, a country of future, worth investing in and capable of conducting capital projects…

Romania

Romanian Commercial Bank will finance construction of a 1.5MW biogas plant – (Balkans) The Romanian Commercial Bank (BCR) announced on Tuesday it had struck a financing deal with First Biogaz, a member of Austria’s Biogest for the construction of a 1.5MW biogas plant in northern Romania…

Ming Yang signs 200MW EPC wind farm development agreement in Romania – (EBR) Guangdong Mingyang Wind Power, a subsidiary of China Ming Yang Wind Power, has signed an EPC framework development agreement with Speranta & Succesul in Romania…

Arcelor manager: Romanian authorities must decide if they want industry or energy services and mediations – (Act Media) Romania may have a higher economic growth rate than in West European countries, but the political decision makers must decide if they want to keep the industry or want 'a country of energy services and mediations,' said Bruno Ribo, managing director of the Arcelor Mittal iron-and-steel plant in Galati (eastern Romania) and chairman of the board of directors, in an interview to Agerpres…

Romanian electricity producer Nuclearelectrica ups turnover in first nine months – (Romania Insider) Romania’s electricity producer Nuclearelectrica recorded a turnover of some EUR 323 million (RON 1.42 billion) in the first nine months of the year, up 19 percent year-on-year, and a net profit of EUR 75 million (RON 331 million), from loss in the same period of 2012…

Sinohydro, builder of world's largest hydropower project, seeks Romania-based investments – (Hispanic Business) Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro , the world's largest hydropower construction company, is interested in participating in Romania -based energy projects, the company's general manager Hong Shui Sun declared on Tuesday at the China -- Central and Eastern Europe Economic and Trade Forum held in Bucharest…

Enel puts a new solar farm of 10MW online in Romania – (Balkans) Enel Green Power (EGP), the renewable arm of Italian utility Enel, put online a new solar farm of 10MW in Dolj Country, southwestern Romania, taking its total solar installations in Romania to 36MW…

Bosch opens R&D centre in Romania where local engineers develop assisted driving products, among others – (Romania Insider) German company Bosch has opened a new research and development centre in Romania, in the Tetarom II industrial park near Cluj-Napoca, after having sent its engineers abroad for training…

Ambassador: Romania supports opening of Southern Gas Corridor – (Trend) Romania supports the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor as a priority of the EU, Ambassador of Romania to Azerbaijan Daniel Cristian Ciobanu said today at the conference 'Joint approach to energy security: Position of NATO and other parties' which is being held in Baku on November 21…

Romania’s Hidroelectrica continues to sell small hydro power plants with new EUR 10.4 mln bid scheduled for January – (Daily News) Romanian energy producer Hidroelectrica plans to sell 14 micro hydro power plants it owns, at a starting price of EUR 10.4 million. This comes after the company sold other 14 micro hydro power plants during a bid in June 2013. The company cashed in some EUR 10.5 million after the June sale…

Serbia

South Stream Construction In Serbia Begins – (Radio Free Europe) Construction has begun on the Serbian section of Russia's South Stream natural-gas pipeline. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, and Gazprom CEO Aleksei Miller participated in the launch ceremony on November 24…

Serbia leader calls Gazprom pipeline vital – (U-T san Diego) Gazprom's South Stream pipeline, which will bypass Ukraine to transport Russian natural gas to Europe, is vital for Serbia because it will provide jobs and boost the Balkan country's regional position, the prime minister said Sunday, insisting that traditionally close ties with Russia will not affect his nation's bid to join the European Union…

Serbia: construction of a new thermal power plant will begin in Kostolac – (Balkans) Next year, the construction of a new thermal power plant will begin in Kostolac, which will be the first energy facility in Serbia after 25 years, said Minister of Energy Zorana Mihajlović after an agreement on the new thermal unit was signed between the Electrip Power Industry of Serbia and the „China Machinery Engineering Corporation - CMEC…

South Stream pipeline to spur on Balkan reliance on Russian gas – (Reuters) Russia will take a step toward tightening its grip on Balkan energy supplies and strengthening its influence in southeastern Europe when construction starts on the Serbian leg of Gazprom's South Stream pipeline on Sunday…

Gas, Electricity Interconnections A Priority – Zorana Mihajlovic – (In Serbia) Building gas, but also interconnections in the field of electric energy constitutes a development priority of the Serbian energy sector, Serbian Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Zorana Mihajlovic said at a business forum in Bucharest on Tuesday….

Start Of South Stream Construction In Serbia To Be Marked On Sunday – (In Serbia) The start of the work will be marked by welding the first two pipes together in Sajkas, northern Serbia, but the work on the ground will begin in February next year…

Armenia

First U.S. Investment in Armenian Energy Sector Announced – (Asbarez) Washington and Yerevan have welcomed what has been announced as the largest investment yet by a private U.S. company in Armenia and the first in the South Caucasus nation’s energy sector…

Investment or Takeover? - U.S. Energy Giant to Pump $180 Million into Armenia’s Hydro-Power Sector – (Hetq) ContourGlobal, a multi-million dollar U.S. company that develops, acquires and operates electric-power resources around the world, has announced that it will invest $180 million in Armenia’s hydro-power sector…

First U.S. energy sector investment in Armenia, national currency turns 20, call to boycott Eurovision – (Armenia Now) At the meeting at the U.S Department of State, Armenia and the United States welcomed the new $180 million investment in Armenia’s hydropower sector by the U.S. Company Contour Global, the largest U.S. private investment in Armenia’s history and the first U.S. investment in Armenia’s energy sector…

“You have an atomic power station but less natural resources than you neighbors" – (hetq) The situation in the three countries in the Southern Caucasus differs. Georgia can export electricity and Azerbaijan, as we all know, is rich in gas and oil…

Iran bartered 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas for Armenian electricity in 2007-2012 – (Panorama) There are all necessary preconditions for the development of Armenian-Iranian relations in the field of energy, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian has said during his meeting with Armenian Deputy Energy Minister Ara Simonyan on the sidelines of the 44th session of the CIS Electric Power Council in Moscow, according to ISNA news agency…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan not to raise questions regarding Georgia’s entry into EU Energy Community – (abc.az) Azerbaijan regards quite evenly the accession of Georgia to the European Union Energy Community.  Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev says that Azerbaijan will not raise issues relating to the entry of Georgia into the European Energy Community….

Energy, pipelines bring Turkey, Azerbaijan closer – (Al-Monitor) Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are once again booming. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Turkey last week was very successful. The relations that had deteriorated in parallel with Turkey’s softening ones with Armenia are back to what they were in the old days and are likely to grow further…

Azerbaijan continues development of alternative energy sources – (Azernews) Production of solar cells in Azerbaijan cheapens the process of developing alternative energy sources in the country. The news was announced by Head of the State Agency for Alternative Energy Sources Akim Badalov said on November 20…

NATO’s intention to deepen energy cooperation with Azerbaijan ‘natural’ – (News.az) “Azerbaijan possesses a rich experience in ensuring energy security and it is quite natural that NATO seeks to develop cooperation with our country in this direction”…

Topaz Energy and Marine to supply additional vessels to Azerbaijan’s large oil and gas fields – (Trend) Leading offshore support vessel company Topaz Energy and Marine, has won two contracts worth $100 million from BP for supply of additional…

ABOEMDA replaces other agencies on alternative energy in Azerbaijan – (ABC.az) The State Agency for Alternative & Renewable Energy (ABOEMDA), which in its history has changed the status for several times and had traditional acronym ABEMDA, has replaced a number of agencies in the package of state acts regulating the development of alternative energy…

Construction of several wind power plants in Azerbaijan to be completed in 2015 – (Trend) Construction of three wind power plants with a total capacity of 135.3 megawatts in Azerbaijan will be completed in 2015, the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources told Trend on Nov.21…

Georgia

Minister: Investment in Georgia’s energy increased – (The Messanger Online) Investment in Georgia's energy has increased by seven per cent compared to 2012, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze told journalists…

Moldova

EC committed to support gas and electricity projects between Romania and R. Moldova – (Act Media) European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on Friday said that, together with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and Republic of Moldova Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, he identified two short-term priorities: the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline project and the Vulcanesti-Isaccea electricity project…

Vilnius: Now What for Georgia and Moldova?  – (Carnegie Europe) Ahead of this week’s Vilnius Summit, European diplomats should have no illusions about Russia’s next move. Vladimir Putin is not going to stop at his success with Ukraine. Having pressured his Ukrainian counterpart President Viktor Yanukovich into rejecting a new EU association agreement with Kiev, the Russian president will be turning his attention to Georgia and Moldova…

PM Leanca: Moldova, on the right track in terms of joint energy projects with Romania – (Act Media) Moldova's Prime Minister Iurie Leanca on Friday hailed in Brussels the conduct of joint energy projects with Romania…

Russia

Russia, Serbia and South Stream – (Trans Conflict) Russia has as of late increased its PR campaign in south-east Europe, filling a void of visibility that the USA has left behind with its growing lack of enthusiasm. Focusing on bigger issues, its own problems at home and the war on terror, the USA – albeit some worthy institutional support to various countries, including Serbia – is showing signs of weariness with the region, best illustrated by the fact that it has left the Kosovo negotiations in the hands of the EU…

Russia and shale can solve Europe’s energy problem – (FT) The aim of European energy policy should be to combine economic growth with environmental sustainability. However, we have ended up with energy costs that hamper growth – yet greenhouse gas emissions have not fallen despite the decline in energy consumption…

Prysmian Enters Cooperation Agreement With Rosseti, The Largest Russian Power Grid Company – (Real Wire) On the occasion of the Italy-Russia Business Forum, being held today in Trieste, Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry, has signed a technical cooperation agreement with JSC “Rosseti”, Russia's largest power grid company, to develop power transmission and distribution technology in Russia…

Russian Homes Using Up to 100% More Energy Than in U.S. and Europe – (The Moscow Times) Russian homes are using up to two times more energy than those in climatically similar regions of Europe and the United States, and the national housing authority wants to tackle the problem by working with the Energy Ministry to build energy-efficient housing…

Russia launches South Stream gas pipeline in Serbia – (RT) Russia’s Gazprom has broken ground on a $2.7 billion pipeline in Serbia, bypassing Ukraine and ensuring unhindered transport of Russian natural gas to Europe. The Serbian PM says it is "vital" and will create thousands of jobs making it an "energy hub"…

Central Russia Cyclone Leaves Thousands Without Electricity – (Ria Novosti) A powerful cyclone that swept through Central Russia this week left more than 80,000 people without electricity, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said Tuesday…

Russia hopes Turkey will give guarantees to long-term electricity purchases – (The Voice of Russia) Russia is hoping that Turkey will give tax privileges and guarantees to long-term electricity purchases under the Akkuyu project, President Vladimir Putin said at a session of the Russian-Turkish High Level Cooperation Council on Friday…

Turkey

Turkey may ink energy deals with KRG this week – (Hurriyet daily News) Turkey may sign new energy contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) during the visit of KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani this week, said Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız…

Saudi energy company has signed an MOU with Turkey’s Electricity Generation Company – (Balkans) Saudi energy company ACWA Power International has signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s Electricity Generation Company (EUAS) to develop coal reserves in the country’s Central Anatolian province of Konya…

President Gül: EU must credit Turkey’s energy role – (Hurriyet daily News) Turkey’s role in supplying energy is vital for the European Union’s energy security, President Abdullah Gül has said, urging the union to consider Turkey’s key position during accession talks…

Turkey: Promising Market For Hedging The Risk In Energy: "Turkish Electricity Derivatives Market" – (Mondaq) The most significant characteristic behaviour of an emerging market is displaying volatility in electricity market…

Turkey set to become major energy hub in 10 to 15 years – (Hurriyet daily News) The Southern corridor is a historic project that will provide a fourth gas source to European markets, says a key executive of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, noting that Turkey is playing a key role in its realization…

Turkey – KRG energy deal to go ahead with or without Baghdad’s consent – (Daily News) The Atlantic Council summit that gathers representatives of the energy community active in this part of the world took place last week in İstanbul, just as it did last year around this time…

Turkey’s Energy Dreams: Q+A With the IEA’s Chief Economist – (The Wall Street Journal) Turkey has a tricky relationship with energy: the country is surrounded by it, but it has nearly none. Ankara wants to become a transit hub, yet its own needs are poised to double in the next decade…

Turkey ‘key energy hub’ for OMV due to potential – (Hurriyet Daily News) Turkey remains a key market and hub for big energy firm OMV, which is now one of the biggest foreign investors in Turkey’s energy market after its acquisition of Petrol Ofisi, OMV’s chief says…

Turkey Towards 2023 Part Three: Infrastructure and Energy Plans – (World Cement) Turkey has been investing heavily in improving its infrastructure in recent years, and the government is keen to continue the momentum for at least the next decade…

Foreign Investment Sought for Turkey’s First Nuclear Power Plant – (Oil Price) Despite the catastrophe that overwhelmed Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s six reactor Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex on 11 March 2011, the global energy community has cautiously decided to press forward with a new generation of NPPs, a trend most notable in developing countries with surging economies, including China, India and Turkey. Despite regional opposition…

Turkey: Natural Gas Projects In Turkey: Tuz Gölü Project As A Pioneer – (Mondaq) At present, the Natural Gas Storage Project in Tuz Gölü which is operated by project partners from Turkey and China is in progress and its completion is planned until 2018. Thereby and through other natural gas storage projects such as North Marmara and Değimenköy, the increase of natural gas storage to 10 % is planned until 2018 in Turkey…

Energy: GE to invest over US 5 bln wind plant in Turkey – (Ansamed Info) As Turkey continues to be the address for investments for some of the world's largest mega companies, General Electric (GE), the biggest maker of wind turbines in the U.S., will be making an over USD 5 billion investment in building a 3,000 megawatt wind power plant…

Ukraine

Stavytsky: Ukraine not to roll back energy projects with Europe – (Forum) Ukraine will not roll back energy projects with Europe, energy and coal industry minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky told a briefing, ForUm correspondent reports…

EU-Ukraine: New opportunities for a low-carbon Europe? – (Eur Activ) Ukraine must de-carbonise and find sustainable solutions to its energy challenges. Increased cooperation with the European Union on cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship would help Ukraine to modernise its energy sector and economy, write Alex Romaniuk, Roman Zinchenko and Sophia Opatska…

Ukraine receives draft agreement on reverse gas shipments through Slovakia, says energy minister – (NRCU) Ukraine has received a draft agreement that will allow reverse gas supplies from Europe to Ukraine via Slovakia. The agreement will be signed in the near future, Energy Minister Eduard Stavytsky said on Wednesday. It will allow Ukraine to purchase gas from Slovakia, the minister said, adding that there would be two gas shipment routes…

Ukraine signs oil, gas deal with Eni and EDF, sees $4 billion investment – (Reuters) Ukraine signed an offshore oil and gas production-sharing agreement with Italian group Eni (ENI.MI) and France's EDF (EDF.PA) on Wednesday and Kiev's energy minister estimated the project could draw up to $4 billion of investment…

Alternative energy development in Ukraine beats records – (Forum) Over first nine months of 2013 with the help of renewable energy sources 285.7 million kWh of electricity was produced in Crimea. This corresponds to 30% of total energy production in the peninsula…

EU: Deal nearly done for reverse gas flows from Slovakia to Ukraine – (UPI) A European Union official said this week Ukraine is quickly nearing a deal with Slovakia allowing it import gas from its neighbor through reverse west-east flows…

Serinus Energy Inc.-Ukraine: Makeevskoye-17 Commences Drilling – (Market Watch) Serinus Energy Inc. ("Serinus Energy", "SEN" or the "Company") CA:SEN +0.21%  (warsaw:SEN), an international upstream oil and gas exploration and production company, is pleased to announce that the Makeevskoye-17 ("M-17") exploration well has commenced drilling…

Ukraine close to sealing Slovakia gas deal, restarts talks with Russia – (Kyiv Post) The European Commission confirmed last week that Ukraine is close to striking a gas deal with Slovakia that could diversify supplies by about 10 billion cubic meters of gas…

Ukraine and Austria Interested in Developing Cooperation in Energy Sector – (Austrian Tribune) Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has given assurance to Austrian officials that his country is willing to maintain close ties with Europe, said the foreign ministry in Vienna…

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