USEA Upcoming Events

December 10, 2014: USAID/USEA Ukraine Power System Support Project Meeting Kiev, Ukraine

January 2015: USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission System Planning Project Working Group Meeting Bucharest, Romania
 
February 2015: USAID/USEA Southeast Europe Distribution System Operator (DSO) Security of Supply Working Group Meeting 

Rama says electricity price won't increase – (Albeu) "If energy price will rise by 22%, I will protest with you." This was the statement of Prime Minister Edi Rama today regarding statements made recently that the price of energy is expected to increase for all consumers…

Albanian Deputy Minister: Tariffs for Electricity Should not Exceed Average Price People Pay – (Energetika) “The failed privatisation of the Power Distribution System Operator (OSSH) deepened the financial gap in the historical record to over USD 1 billion (EUR 807 million). This led to the bankruptcy of the company…

Albania: Secretariat submits draft law on energy efficiency of buildings – (Energy Community) The Energy Community Secretariat submitted today a draft law on energy efficiency of buildings to the Albanian Ministry of Energy and Industry. If adopted, the law would transpose the Energy Community acquis on the energy performance of buildings (Directive 2010/31/EU), the deadline for which expired in 2012…

Albania agrees law on EBRD loan for energy system – (DTT-Net) Albanian authorities have agreed today a law over a €112 million loan deal with the London based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aimed ad closing several financial and infrastructure loopholes at country’s devastated electricity system…

Albania Taking Measures to Ensure Liquidity in Energy Sector – (Energetika) The Energy Regulator will calculate the price at which manufacturers will sell energy to the relevant operator, MEI said on its webpage.According to the ministry, Albania decided to take this step in order…

Albania Still Tackling Energy Theft Problem – (Energetika) Rama called energy theft a dramatic wound to the local economy. He said that the cost of energy theft was equal to the amount of income tax that is paid by companies to the state budget. “Money that could be us...

Azerbaijan, Albania discuss prospects for developing relations – (News.Az) Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has met his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati in Basel to dsicuss ways of developing the bilateral relations.  They also stressed Azerbaijan`s role in European energy security, and the importance of Trans-Anatolia (TAP) and Trans-Adriatic (TANAP) gas pipelines…

Trans Adriatic Pipeline unaffected by South Stream – (World Bulletin) Russia's South Stream pipeline project does not affect the TAP, Trans Adriatic Pipeline or the Southern Gas Corridor project, according to a TAP official. "As far as TAP and the Southern Gas Corridor are concerned, the South Stream is irrelevant," said Kjetil Tungland, managing director of Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, told The Anadolu Agency on Friday in an exclusive interview…

Bulgaria

Put wind at the heart of a European energy union, urges industry – (Click Green) Europe’s energy ministers will gather in Brussels this week to discuss the internal energy market and governance for the 2030 climate and energy framework.  Commission President Juncker has pledged to make Europe number one in renewable energy and he and Vice President Commissioner for Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic, have been urged to ramp up the EU’s commitment to wind energy…

Floods in Bulgaria leave villages without drinking water, electricity – (The Sofia Globe) Parts of Bulgaria continued to struggle with the situation after flooding, while a “code red” warning remained in place on December 7 over rising water levels in the Tundzha River in the southern part of the country.  The Kamchiya River also was being monitored, given predictions that heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Zhrebchevo and Ticha reservoirs could result in a critical situation…

Eighth day of power cut in 10 villages in Bulgaria’s Elhovo – (The Sofia Globe) Ten villages in the Elhovo region entered their second week without electricity on December 8 after power lines froze.  Bulgarian National Television reported that the supply system infrastructure was in rough terrain and removing and replacing it proved to be too difficult for system operator NEK…

Bulgarian Watchdog Mulls Ceiling on Prices Paid to Power Generators – (Novinite) Bulgaria’s State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) proposes introducing a ceiling on prices paid to power generators.  According to DKEVR, the tariff should be capped at BGN 202 per MWh, which is the highest amount paid for the balancing of the energy system…

Bulgarian Electricity System Operator Opens Call for Proposals – (Energetika) Among other things, the contractor will dismantle 29 piece reinforced concrete pillars; dismantle 54 piece lattice towers, install 83 new lattice towers, install new phase conductors of the brand ASO-400 in…

Bulgaria Ranks Poorly In Climate Change Performance Index – (Novinite) Bulgaria's performance in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2015 was ranked as “poor”.  The institute Germanwatch and the Climate Action Network Europe report, measuring CO2 emissions and corresponding national and international climate policies ranked Bulgaria at the 40-th position and noted that it never prioritises climate policies…

Putin Killing Pipeline Leaves East Europe Scrambling for Gas – (Bloomberg) Eastern European countries dependent on Russian gas are scrambling for alternatives after President Vladimir Putin blindsided them with a decision to scrap a pipeline bypassing Ukraine…

Russia confirms decision to abandon South Stream – (EurActiv) Following a statement by EU ministers who said they wanted Russia to clarify its intentions concerning the South Stream gas pipeline, Russian gas monopoly Gazprom confirmed yesterday (9 December) that the decision to abandon the project is final…

Bulgaria, Greece, Romania to Develop Regional Gas Infrastructure – (Novinite) Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania have signed a contract on cooperation in the development of regional gas infrastructure.  The contract for what was called the "Vertical Gas Corridor" was signed Tuesday by the energy ministers of the three countries…

Bulgarian President about South Stream: We do not Want another Belene – (Energetika) Borissov also pointed out that Bulgaria would not allow itself to be used as a bargaining chip in relations between Russia and the West. “I expect European leaders to protect the interests of Bulgaria in the…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Federation BiH Gets Five Valid Bids for Oil and Gas Consulting – (Energetika) DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte (Vienna, Austria) and subcontractor, law office Femil Čurt (Sarajevo), consortium of Prospectiuni (Romania) and Prospectiuni Exploration Management Service…

Croatia 

South Stream demise leads Croatia to revive gas terminal project – (EurActiv) Spurred by the demise of Russia's South Stream gas pipeline project, Croatia has revived a decade-old idea of building a liquefied natural gas import terminal at the deepwater oil port of Omisalj, on the island of Krk.  Spurred by the demise of Russia's South Stream gas pipeline project, Croatia has revived a decade-old idea of building a liquefied natural gas import terminal at the deepwater oil port of Omisalj, on the island of Krk…

EU, USA encourage building LNG terminal on Croatia's Krk island – (Dalje) A future terminal for liquefied natural gas on the Croatian island of Krk is one of the European projects, the completion of which is supported by the European Union and the United States in the context of the safe provision of energy in light of the Ukrainian crisis, and the completion of that project is encouraged in a joint statement released by the EU-USA Energy Council after its meeting in Brussels on Wednesday evening…

EBRD to Loan EUR 15 Million to Croatia's PBZ for Energy Efficiency Projects – (Energetika) WeBSEFF II, an initiative launched by the EBRD in October 2013 to support efforts towards the improved use and conservation of energy in the region, has a volume of EUR 75 million and is combining longer-term…

Croatia With 21 Energy-Union-Related Identified Projects – (Energetika) It is worth mentioning that many of these 2,000 projects are currently not being realised due to financial, regulatory or other barriers. Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment…

Kosovo

MTI continues to inspect the quality of fuels in Kosovo – (Balkan EU) Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) continues its inspections in the field of import and sale of fuels.  Inspectors from the ministry in collaboration with quality inspectors, have undertaken extra inspections of fuel that is sold within the territory of Kosovo…

Macedonia

Balkans to align with EU 2030 climate and energy framework – (SETimes) The EU signed the new 2030 climate and energy agreement last month, enacting a set of criteria to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and significantly increase renewable energy sources that applies to both current member states and membership aspirants…

Montenegro

Turkey Could Invest in Montenegro's Thermal Power Plant Projects – (Energetika) Kavarić singled out the construction of hydropower plants on the Morača and Komarinici rivers, as well as the Maoče thermal power plant project, as particularly interesting projects for investment. ʺAnyone that...

Montenegro's CGES to Auction Transmission Capacities for January 2015 – (Energetika) The submission of bids is scheduled for 9:00 to 11:00 AM. All non-used monthly capacities will be offered on daily auctions…

ECRB re-elects Branislav Prelevic as its President – (Energy Community) The Energy Community Regulatory Board re-elected Mr Branislav Prelevic, Chairman of the Montenegrin Regulatory Authority, as its President for the year 2015 at its December Plenary meeting. “I am honoured by the trust of my regulatory colleagues…

Romania

Romania needs 100 bln euros in energy investment by 2035 –ministry – (Reuters) Romania's energy sector needs about 100 billion euros ($123 billion) worth of investment in power, oil and gas production, mining and related infrastructure by 2035 to be more self-sufficient, a draft energy ministry document showed…

Romania’s energy strategy to be launched on Friday in public debate – (ACT Media) Romania’s energy strategy was sent on Thursday to all party presidents and on Friday it will be launched in public debate, said Razvan Nicolescu, the delegate minister for energy on Thursday at a press conference.“I have here Romania’s Energy Strategy part I and II, as I promised. Tomorrow we will launch it in public debate…

Nuclearelectrica reconnects Romania nuclear power Unit 1 to grid – (Reuters) Romania's nuclear power operator Nuclearelectrica said on Thursday it had reconnected the reactor number one at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant to the national power grid, after a glitch reported the previous day was fixed…

Romania, Greece and Bulgaria sign cooperation agreement on regional natural gas infrastructure – (Focus) Romania, Greece and Bulgaria recently signed in Brussels a cooperation agreement for developing regional infrastructure for natural gas, reports local Wall-street.ro, as cited by RomaniaInsider…

Media: Romania’s gas deposits could change European energy map – (Romania-Insider) Romania’s recent gas discoveries in the Black Sea could redraw Europe’s energy map, according to a TV coverage broadcasted by TV channel Euronews.  After discovering in 2012 a huge natural gas deposit on the continental shelf of the Romanian Black Sea, Romania’s oil & gas company OMV Petrom has recently identified a gas deposit on the continental shelf, but closer to the Romanian seaside…

Balkan Countries to Invest in Vertical Gas Corridor Instead of South Stream – (Energetika) During the working meeting in Brussels, it was agreed between Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, and energy ministers from Member States, the need to build gas…

Serbia

'Superhuman' electricity workers restore power to Serbian town – (Reuters) Electricity workers struggling through snow, ice and treacherous terrain in Serbia restored electricity on Thursday to an eastern town shivering without power, heating or running water for four days…

Power Supply Restored in Majdanpek, Serbia – (Energetika) ʺThe workers of Elektromreža Srbije have managed to overcome the failures caused by last night's repeated power outages. Thus, the electricity supply is now back to normal,ʺ EMS said on Friday.The company added...

Serbian minister hit by giant ice chunk escapes injury – (BBC News) Serbia's energy minister escaped serious injury on Thursday when he was hit on the head by a heavy chunk of ice which split his protective helmet.  Aleksandar Antic was touring an eastern area hit by a recent cold snap when the block of ice fell from an overhead power line…

Russia Working Energy Cooperation Deals With Serbia, Hungary After South Stream Project Cancellation – (International Business Times) Russia had been reported to have initiated talks with Serbia and Hungary on energy cooperation deals following the cancellation of the seaborne gas route South Stream pipeline project…

Serbia: Gas Market to Open on 1 January 2015 – (Energetika) In accordance with the Energy Law, from 1 January 2015 only households and small companies are entitled to access the public supply if they do not choose another supplier. “All other customers must choose…

Armenia 

German Loan To Boost Armenian-Georgian Energy Ties – (Azatutyun) The Armenian government secured on Tuesday an 85.2 million-euro ($105.6 million) German loan which it said will be used for synchronizing the national power grids of Armenia and Georgia through a new transmission line…

KfW allocates EUR 85.2 million towards expanding electricity transmission grids between Armenia and Georgia – (Public Radio of Armenia) On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW Development Bank today concluded two loan agreements for EUR 85.2 million with the High Voltage Electricity Network (HVEN), the company that operates Armenia’s transmission grid…

Reliable electricity supply for Armenia – (BoerseGo) On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW Development Bank today concluded two loan agreements for EUR 85.2 million with the High Voltage Electricity Network (HVEN), the company that operates Armenia's transmission grid…

Haykakan Zhamanak: Gazprom Armenia may file gas price rise application – (Aysor) In February or March 2015, Gazprom Armenia Company is likely to ask the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia to review the natural gas tariffs, ‘Haykakan Zhamanak’ daily says…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan reliable energy partner of EU – (Azernews) The European Union considers Azerbaijan a reliable partner in ensuring its energy security, the EU representatives said.  The Forum of Young Leaders, organized by the European Parliament under the EU Eastern Partnership, discussed this issue in Brussels on December 10…

EU considers Azerbaijan reliable partner in energy security – (Trend) The European Union (EU) considers Azerbaijan a reliable partner in ensuring its energy security, EU representatives said.  This topic was discussed during the Forum of Young Leaders, which was organized by the European Parliament within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership in Brussels…

Azerbaijan scientists halve solar elements cost – (Azernews) Scientists at the Institute of Physics of Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences have halved the cost of production of solar elements, which are used to convert solar energy into electric current, Deputy Director of the Institute Javad Abdinov said…

Azerbaijani physicists cut costs of photo elements of solar batteries by 50% – (Vestnik Kavkaza) The Institute of Physics of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences has improved the technology for production of photo elements for solar batteries, halving their costs, as stated by Javad Abdinov, deputy director of the Institute of Physics, Trend reports…

EU turns to Azerbaijan for gas – (Deutche Welle) EU Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said Tuesday that a new high-level working group would be set up to advance the integration of central and south-eastern European gas markets and pipeline networks. As part of the effort, Sefcovic discussed proposals to link Azerbaijan's gas fields by pipeline with European markets…

Russian gas not rival to Azerbaijani gas – (Trend) Turkey finally did what all significant forces concentrated in the region expected from it. Noting the importance of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) project for Turkey, the country’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that it is more significant for his country than Russia’s gas proposals…

Azerbaijan, Turkey to implement important energy projects – (Trend) Azerbaijan and Turkey will implement important projects in the energy sphere, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Turkish parliament Ahmet Berat Conkar told the Turkish service of the ‘Voice of Russia’…

Nuke plant may be built in Azerbaijan – (News.Az) Azerbaijan is planning to build the country's first nuclear power plant.  Oxu.Az reports with reference to the influential Russian publication Lenta.ru that the statement came from chairman of the JSC "National Center for Nuclear Research" Adil Garibov…

Georgia

German MP: Georgia plays vital role in ensuring energy security – (The Messenger Online) A member of the national Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany believes Georgia could become the new place that ensures the stability of Germany’s energy security. Charles Huber’s announcement was released by the German Embassy in Georgia, where Huber referred to the Southern Gas Corridor…

Georgia Signs E5P Contribution Agreement – (Financial) The Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) and the Ministry of Finance of Georgia have signed a contribution agreement about the country’s participation in the partnership, a multi-donor fund to support and facilitate investments in municipal energy efficiency projects aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Eastern Partnership countries…

Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia discuss energy, transport – (Turkish Press) The foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will meet Wednesday in Turkey's northeastern province of Kars to discuss energy and transportation projects.  The meeting is important because it paves the way for cooperation between the three nations in almost every field, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu, Turkey's ambassador to Georgia told The Anadolu Agency…

German KfW bank to provide Armenia with $85.2 million euro loan for first phase of Caucasus Power Lines project – (ARKA) The German KfW bank will provide Armenia with $85.2 million euro loan for the first phase of the Caucasus Power Lines I project, the Armenian ministry of finance said today…

German Loan Aims to Boost Armenia-Georgia Energy Ties – (Asbarez) The Armenian government secured on Tuesday an 85.2 million-euro ($105.6 million) German loan which it said will be used for synchronizing the national power grids of Armenia and Georgia through a new transmission line…

Energy Minister: Low Mtkvari River level is not dangerous – (The Messenger) Georgia’s Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze says the lower than normal water level in the Mtkvari River is not dangerous. Kaladze said the diminished Mtkvari flow was "regulatable” and the issue was agreed between the Georgian and Turkish governments…

Russian electric power transited to Turkey through Georgia – (Trend) Around 300 megawatts of electric power will be transited from Russia to Turkey through Georgia, Georgian Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze said Dec. 11.  He said that Georgia obtained this opportunity after the construction of a new 500-kilovolt substation in Akhaltsikhe…

Moldova

Green Energy Sector Champions awarded at Moldova Eco-Energetica 2014 Ceremony – (AEE) More than one thousand promoters of renewables and energy efficiency got together at Moldova Eco-Energetica ceremony today to celebrate the remarkable achievements and award the Champions of the Green Energy Sector in 2014…

Ukraine will be able to import electricity from Moldova, other counties – Vice Premier Zubko – (Interfax-Ukraine) The green light given by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 5, 2014, to electricity imports into Ukraine will let the country start buying electricity from Moldova and other neighboring countries, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadiy Zubko said…

Turkey

TURKEY’S FIRST ELECTRIC BUS TO CARRY STUDENTS – (Daily Sabah) Doruk Elektra, Turkey's first electric bus which was designed and produced by Otokar, a subsidiary of Koç Group, has begun carrying university students. It was initially tested by carrying staff of the metropolitan municipalities of Istanbul, İzmir, Samsun and Antalya…

Turkish Energy Min.: We support using energy for peace – (Turkish Press) Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said that Turkey is "in favor of using energy for peace. We say this again and again. But, when energy is underground, it is a justification for war, when it is aboveground, it is justification for peace," said Yildiz speaking to The Anadolu Agency…

TURKEY IS IN FAVOR OF USING ENERGY FOR PEACE: ENERGY MINISTER YILDIZ – (Daily Sabah) Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yıldız said that Turkey is "in favor of using energy for peace. We say this again and again. But, when energy is underground, it is a justification for war, when it is aboveground, it is justification for peace," Yıldız said…

Turkey Will Not Choose Between Russia, EU: Turkish Energy Minister – (Sputnik News) Ankara does not intend to choose between cooperation with Russia or the European Union, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said Monday…

Turkey may propose energy complex construction to Russia – (Reuters) Turkey could propose to Russia the construction of an integrated energy complex including an LNG terminal at its border with Greece, as part of talks for a planned new gas pipeline with its northern neighbour, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said…

Russia & Turkey: Putin Makes a Pipeline Play, but Will It Pay? – (Eurasianet) Energy-poor Turkey stands to benefit from Moscow’s surprise decision to drop the $45-billion South Stream natural gas pipeline project, analysts say. At the same time, it raises questions about whether Turkey will become a pawn in the broader energy contest between Russia and the EU…

Turkey 'welcomes pipelines passing through its soil' – (Hurriyet Daily News) Turkey is eager to host oil pipelines that will connect much-needed energy resources with global markets, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has said, while signaling a conditional willingness to transport much-disputed Eastern Mediterranean resources…

Turkey among the worst performers in dealing with greenhouse gas emissions – (Daily News) Turkey ranks among the worst performers in dealing with rising CO2 emissions, according to a joined study submitted by Germanwatch and the Climate Action Network during the U.N. climate summit in Lima…

Turkey seeks ODA funding for pumped-storage hydroelectric project at 278-MW Gökçekaya Dam – (HydroWorld) Turkey seeks an official development assistance (ODA) loan package after agreeing with findings from Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) site study that a variable speed pumped-storage power plant development is needed at Gökçekaya Dam in the province of Eskisehir, Turkey…

Mysterious ’08 Turkey Pipeline Blast Opened New Cyberwar Era – (Bloomberg Businessweek) The pipeline was outfitted with sensors and cameras to monitor every step of its 1,099 miles from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean. The blast that blew it out of commission didn’t trigger a single distress signal…

Ukraine

Ukraine mulls Australia energy to ease reliance on Russia – (Daily Mail) Energy-starved Ukraine Thursday held talks with Australia over the supply of coal and uranium as it looks to ease its reliance on hostile neighbour Russia for gas.  Ukraine this week received its first Russian natural gas shipments since a politically charged price dispute saw Moscow cut off its West-leaning neighbour in June…

Australia in talks to help Ukraine avoid energy crisis by exporting uranium and coal to the war-torn region – (Yahoo) Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Australia is in talks with Ukraine about the possibility of exporting Australian uranium and coal to the war-torn European country…

Ukraine’s coal production in November 2014 nearly halves on November 2013 – (Hellenic Shipping News) Ukraine’s coal output in November 2014 nearly halved on November 2013, dropping from 7.3 million tons to 4.1 million tons, Ukrainian media said, citing the country’s ministry of energy and coal industry…

1ST LEAD Ukrainian government admits power crisis By Nikolaus von Twickel – (Europe Online Magazine) Ukraine‘s energy crisis deepened on Friday, as the government admitted that depleting coal reserves forced power plants to reduce output.  Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn said in Kiev that the situation was worst in three plants in eastern Ukraine…

Ukraine’s electricity crisis deepens as a plan to import South African coal collapses – (Euronews) Ukraine’s fuel crisis has deepened after a deal to buy South African coal collapsed. The head of a Ukrainian state energy firm has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement in relation to the deal…

Euronews: Ukraine's electricity crisis deepens as a plan to import South African coal collapses (VIDEO) – (Kyiv Post) Ukraine's fuel crisis has deepened after a deal to buy South African coal collapsed. The head of a Ukrainian state energy firm has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement in relation to the deal…

UPDATE 1-Ukraine power company boss detained over botched coal deal – (Reuters) The head of a Ukrainian state energy firm has been detained on suspicion of embezzling funds after a botched deal to buy South African coal deepened the country's electricity crisis, prosecutors said on Friday…

Ukraine’s power plants working at minimum capacity because of coal shortage – (The Sofia Globe) Ukraine is obviously short of coal, the country’s newly-appointed Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn told a December 5 news conference in Kyiv. There are only 1.4 million tons of coal left at the local power plants, while they need 3.2 million tons a month…

Ukraine urged to ‘self-limit’ power usage – (Energy Live News) The energy industry in Ukraine is being urged to “self-limit” power consumption during times of peak demand.   Volodymyr Demchyshyn, Minister of the Energy and Coal Industry made the comment yesterday during a conference call with representatives of regional administrations and energy companies…

Zubko: Ukraine will be able to import electricity from Moldova, other counties – (Kyiv Post) The green light given by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 5, 2014, to electricity imports into Ukraine will let the country start buying electricity from Moldova and other neighboring countries, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadiy Zubko said…

Agreement signed on deliveries of electricity from Russia to Ukraine – (NRCU) Ukraine significantly cut electricity supplies to Crimea at the end of November. Of four high-voltage power transmission lines, through which energy was transmitted to the peninsula, only one is functioning. In the regions, Crimea is applying so-called rolling blackouts…

Power Shortages Have Forced Ukraine To Import Electricity From Russia – (Business Insider) Ukraine's government has allowed state energy company Ukrinterenergo to import electricity from Russia to cover current power shortages caused by a lack of coal, the Ukrainian energy ministry said…

Ukraine Plans to Import 1500 MW of Electricity From Russia: Energy Minister – (Sputnik News) Ukraine is planning to import about 1.5 thousand megawatts of electricity from Russia, Ukrainian Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchishin has told the 1+1 TV channel.  "We are at the final stage of import agreements. This will be about an extra 1.5 thousand megawatts," – Demchishin said…

Crimean Prime Minister: Russia, Ukraine agree on electricity supplies – (Kyiv Post) Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement on electricity supplies, which will ensure stable energy supply to Crimea, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksionov said…

Ukrainian Ministry Approves Temporary Import of Russian Electricity – (Sputnik News) Ukrainian government has approved temporary electricity import from the neighbouring countries, including from Russia, statement on Ukraine’s Ministry of Fuel and Energy website said on Sunday…

Energy Community Secretariat’s statement on distortions to the gas market legal framework in Ukraine – (Energy Community) The Energy Community Secretariat recalls that the recently adopted Decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 596 of 7 November and No. 647 of 26 November 2014 distort the part of the gas market already liberalized in Ukraine in favour of the state incumbent Naftogaz…

Russian gas flows to Ukraine stable – Ukrtransgaz – (Reuters) Russian natural gas flows to Ukraine have been stable since Dec. 9, when Gazprom resumed supplies after a six-month gap caused by a price dispute and unpaid debts, Ukraine's gas transport monopoly said on Thursday…

Yatsenyuk: Ukraine's energy system ready to provide for stable gas transit to Europe – (Kyiv Post) Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has assured the European Commission that the Ukrainian energy system is ready to provide for stable natural gas transit, the information and public relations department of the secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has reported…

IMF team to assess Ukraine energy needs – (Press TV) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is planning to send a team to Ukraine to determine how much extra aid the energy-starved country would need during the upcoming winter.  The IMF said on Saturday that a nine-day visit by its delegates will begin on Tuesday amid continuing blackouts and growing anger over harsh IMF-prescribed austerity measures in Ukraine…

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.