Europe & Eurasia Energy News Articles for February 5, 2014

Energy Technology and Governance Program

             

 Weekly collection of energy news articles for the region.  Click on the links for access to original publications


USAID/USEA ETAG Upcoming Events

February 6-7       USAID/USEA Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative Transmission System Planning Project (SECI) Working Group Meeting Budapest, Hungary

 

February 18         USEA Technology Briefing – “The “Smarter” Grid: Today vs. Yesterday.” 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, USEA Executive Conference Room Washington, DC

 

March 3               Stakeholder Workshop Reporting on the Findings of the USAID/USEA Romania-Ukraine-Moldova (RUM) Transmission Interconnection Study Chisinau, Moldova

 

March 4               USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission Planning Project (BSTP) Working Group Meeting on Implementing the ENTSO-E Cost Benefit Assessment Methodology for Candidate Transmission Lines of Regional Significance Chisinau, Moldova

 

March 5               Joint Meeting: USAID/USEA Black Sea Regional Transmission Planning Project (BSTP) & USAID/NARUC Black Sea Regulatory Initiative (BSRI) on Incorporating Clean Energy Policy & Regulatory Drivers in Regional Transmission Planning Scenarios Chisinau, Moldova

 

March 6               USAID/USEA Armenia-Georgia Network Integration Working Group Meeting Chisinau, Moldova


Albania

No agreement reached between Albania, Macedonia over dam dispute– (Shanghai Daily) Albania and Macedonia has not reach agreement on concerns that the latter's plan to build a dam on Radika River, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has said.  A planned dam in Macedonia has raised concerns in neighboring Albania because it would ebb the water flow of a river into the Drin River that helps produce all of Albania's electricity…

No agreement reached between Albania, Macedonia over dam dispute – (CCTV) Albania and Macedonia has not reach agreement on concerns that the latter's plan to build a dam on Radika River, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has said...

No agreement between Macedonia and Albania over Dam project– (MINA) Albania and Macedonia have not reached an agreement on concerns that the latter's plan to build a dam on Radika River, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has said.  A planned dam in Macedonia has raised concerns in neighboring Albania because it would ebb the water flow of a river into the Drin River that helps produce all of Albania's electricity…

Stream provides update on status of Delvina gas field development – (OilVoice) Stream Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: SKO) provide an update regarding the status of its Delvina gas project. The drilling rig for the first Delvina horizontal gas development well (D34H1) arrived in Albania, cleared customs and is en route to the Delvina gas field for an expected spud date in March 2014…

 

Macedonia's dam plan spurs water diversion concerns in Albania – (Shanghai Daily) A planned dam in Macedonia has spurred protests in neighboring Albania over concerns that the dam would ebb water flow of a river into the Drin River that Albania relied on to generate electricity…

 

A planned dam in FYR Macedonia has spurred protests in neighboring Albania – (Balkans) A planned dam in (FYR) Macedonia has spurred protests in neighboring Albania over concerns that the dam would ebb water flow of a river into the Drin River that Albania relied on to generate electricity…


Bulgaria

Clients of CEZ Distribution Bulgaria will pay 20.9% lower energy bills– (Balkans) Clients of CEZ Distribution Bulgaria will pay 20.9% lower energy bills on the average in January 2014, compared with January 2013, the press office of the company announced. The average value of the invoices issued by January 30, 2014 in West Bulgaria is BGN 53 including VAT, while a year earlier it was BGN 67 including VAT…

CEZ-Bulgaria clients will pay 20.9 % lower electricity bills in January 2014 compared to last year – (Focus) Clients of CEZ Distribution Bulgaria will pay 20.9% lower energy bills on the average in January 2014, compared with January 2013, the press office of the company announced…

Electricity production in Bulgaria rises in December 2013: NSI – (Focus) Electricity generation and production of solid fuels in Bulgaria were on the rise in December 2013, it transpires from the latest report of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Electricity output was up 2.8% m/m and up 13.2% y/y, while production of solid fuels surged by 18.5% m/m and by 9.5% y/y…

EU Countries Should Determine Own Energy Mix - Bulgarian Minister– (Novinite) The security of energy supply remains a key factor for guaranteeing economic growth and competitiveness in Europe, according to Bulgarian Economy Minister Dragomir Stoynev.  Stoynev took part in the Second European Ministerial Conference of the Friends of Industry held Thursday in Rome…

 

Bulgaria energy minister: Energy deliveries safety is key factor for growth, competitiveness – (Focus) “Energy deliveries safety is a key factor for guaranteeing the growth and the competitiveness of the European economy,” Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy, Dragomir Stoynev, said speaking in the frames of the Second European Ministerial Conference of the Friends of Industry, which will take place in Rome, Italy, the press office of the Bulgarian ministry announced…

The money we agreed for Kozloduy NPP is still used in the Bulgarian energy sector: CBM leader – (Focus) During the negotiations my team and I obtained the right for Bulgaria to receive EUR 850 million from Kozloduy Fund which is still used for the modernization of the Bulgarian energy sector. We regained the trust in our nuclear energy sector and we set as most important people’s safety and people’s health…

 

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria cooperate for electricity project – (Shanghai Daily) Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria will cooperate on electricity project under an agreement concluded last week, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on Monday…

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria cooperate for electricity project – (APA.AZ) Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria will cooperate on electricity project under an agreement concluded last week, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua…

Bulgarian President Plevneliev supports South Stream project– (Focus) “Bulgaria hopes that the South Stream project will be implemented successfully,” Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said in an interview for ITAR-TASS, quoted by Duma daily. He said he supported the project and hoped it would be implemented in accordance with market laws and synchronised with EU requirements, as Bulgaria is an EU member…

Bulgarian President Praises South Stream – (Novinite) Bulgaria hopes for a successful completion of the South Stream natural gas pipeline project in abidance with EU legislation, stated Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev. Tuesday Russian state information agency ITAR-TASS published an extensive interview with the Bulgarian head of state on a number of topics of mutual interest…

Bulgarian president: Russian South Stream gas an end to supply worries – (Focus) Russian gas piped under the Black Sea to Bulgaria promises uninterrupted supply, "security and confidence", Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass on Tuesday…

 

EVN to Demand 7-9% Power Price Increase – (Novinite) EVN Bulgaria EAD will propose a 7-9% power price increase for end consumers as of July 1, the company announced Tuesday…

 

Sudden changes in energy policy shock investors – (Focus) The ruling partners, led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), reduced the price of electricity for households twice over a period of six months.  According to companies generating power the new taxes that the Parliament introduced without discussions will lead to mass bankruptcies, fear and withdrawal of investors in a moment when foreign investments in the country have dropped by 30% over the first 11 months of 2013…


Bosnia and Herzegovina

Energy Community presses Bosnia and Herzegovina to revise its South Stream contract– (Energetika) The Prime Minister made this statement after the Energy Community had announced it would demand for some of the provisions of the draft agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina…

Bosnia and Herzegovina facing a gas crisis– (Energetika) According to the director of BH Gas, Mirza Sendijarević, Sarajevogas ows BH Gas about two million Euros for the December bill and over eight million for the January bill. For this reason, they have already cut…


Croatia

Weather causes travel disruptions, power outages in Balkans– (The Record) Tens of thousands of people are without electricity in Slovenia and Croatia after icy rain and sleet caused major disruption in the supply, as hundreds of motorists were evacuated overnight from their vehicles in Serbia where massive snow drifts have caused widespread travel chaos… 


Kosovo

The first energy efficiency “info-corners” open in Kosovo– (EERES-Kosovo) The first energy efficiency “info-corners” opened in Kosovo during the month of December. The first one was inaugurated in the Municipality of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje, where Mayor Burim Berisha warmly welcomed the initiative, which is financially supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is being implemented by the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Agency (KEEA)… 


 Macedonia

Macedonia to build gas network by 2020– (MSN Money) Macedonia's prime minister says the country will start building a natural gas network next year, when it hopes to start receiving deliveries of Russian gas.  Nikola Gruevski said Wednesday the 100 million euro ($137 million) project, which will involve public-private partnerships, will take five years to complete…

Macedonia to build gas network by 2020– (Bloomberg Businessweek) Macedonia's prime minister says the country will start building a natural gas network next year, when it hopes to start receiving deliveries of Russian gas…

 

Vecer, Macedonia: Gas supply installation kicks off– (Focus) Gas supply installation in Macedonia officially kicked off yesterday, starting from the district of Skopje, Macedonian Vecer daily writes…


Montenegro

Terna expects Montenegro-Italy energy cable construction site to be opened in the second half of 2014– (Balkans) Montenegro's Finance Minister Radoje Žugić met with Executive Director of Terna Montenegro Claudio Markiori.  Mr Marchiori informed Minister Žugić about the ongoing activities related to the construction of the underwater energy cable between Montenegro and Italy…

 

Montenegro starts the implementation of capital projects – (Balkans) As its 2014 priorities, the Montenegrin Government will continue creating business environment and conditions for the start of implementation of Montenegro’s capital projects, namely the Bar-Boljare motorway, Block II of the Thermal Power Plant Pljevlja, oil and gas examination, underwater energy cable between Montenegro and Italy, and “one and only” resort in Kumbor…


Romania

Romania bans small-scale hydropower plants in protected areas – (Digital Journal) Romania has recently announced its decision to suspend the construction or operation of hundreds of small-scale hydropower plants in protected areas across the Carpathian Mountains, in order to protect regional biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems…

 

Romania to help boost Turkey’s power supply– (Romania-Insider) Romania will work with Bulgaria and Turkey on a regional electricity project to the latter with an extra 1,800 megawatts of electricity capacity…

 

Romania and Turkey to strengthen energy cooperation– (The Diplomat) The officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Romania's Department of Energy and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey for cooperation in developing electricity interconnections between Romania and Turkey…

 

Minister Nita: Romania can play important role in providing electric energy to Southeast Europe– (ACT Media) Romania should play an important role in Southeastern Europe as an electric energy provider, considering that, following the shutting down of various plants and big production units, the system records an energy surplus, Minister-delegate for Energy Constantin Nita said in Cluj-Napoca (central-western Romania) on Monday…

 

Third time’s a charm? Romanian energy producer Hidroelectrica re-starts management recruitment process– (Romanian-Insider) Romanian state – owned company Hidroelectrica has started a new recruitment process for its private management, according to an announcement posted on the company’s website…

 

Rivers run dry as claims of illegality surround Romania's hydropower boom– (The Guardian) Deep into the wilderness of Romania's Southern Carpathian mountains, Bogdan Binescu, an avid angler and environmental campaigner, stops by the white waters of a mountain stream. "This river used to be the only route back to civilisation," he says. "But now civilisation has caught up…

 

EC might withdraw Third Energy Package case against Romania at CJEU (official) – (ACT Media) The European Commission might withdraw its case against Romania at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) if the country fully implements the norms of the Third Energy Package, the Government Agent for this Court Razvan Horatiu Radu alleges…

 

EBRD grants EUR 130 mln loan to Romanian energy producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia – (Romanian-Insider) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will give a loan of EUR 130 million to the Romanian energy producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia…

 

Oltenia Energy Complex takes EUR 200 million from EBRD to modernize Turceni thermal power plant – (The Diplomat) State-owned power plant Oltenia Energy Complex signed EUR 200 million worth loan contract with The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development-EBRD for modernizing workings at the sixth power group of Turceni thermal power plant…

 

Romania's renewable energy capacity surges 82% in 2013 – (ACT Media) The production of renewable energy in Romania reached record levels at the end of last year, when the overall capacity of existing projects in the energy system attained 4,255 MW, a 82% increase compared to the end of 2013, according to data of the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE)…

 

The painful cycle of change – (The Diplomat) Just like last year, 2014 has started twitchily for renewable energy and, what's worse, pundits do not anticipate too much good news going forward. At exactly this time last year, renewable energy companies were impatiently waiting for the changes in the legislation governing…

 

Moody’s changes outlook on Romania’s Transelectrica from negative to stable – (Romania-Insider) Ratings agency Moody’s has affirmed on February 4 Transelectrica’s Ba2 long-term corporate family rating and Ba2-PD probability of default rating, while changing the outlook from negative to stable… 


Serbia

Serbia's energy industry stable amid severe weather– (Energetika)This was confirmed by the Serbian Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection, Zorana Mihajlović, in the morning programme on TV Pink today. According to Mihajlović, problems have only arisen…

 

Serbia plans major overhaul of Nikola Tesla A thermoelectric power plant– (Balkans) Block A3 of the Nikola Tesla A thermoelectric power plant (TENT A) in Obrenovac Serbia will undergo a major overhaul this year, with an invitation to tender to build the desulphurisation system at the plant to be issued in ten days, Serbia's Minister of Energy Zorana Mihajlovic announced on Tuesday…

 

Major ovarhaul of TE ‘Nikola Tesla’ Block 3 to start in 2014– (inSerbia) Block A3 of the Nikola Tesla A thermoelectric power plant (TENT A) in Obrenovac will undergo a major overhaul this year, with an invitation to tender to build the desulphurisation system at the plant to be issued in ten days, Serbia’s Minister of Energy Zorana Mihajlovic announced on Tuesday…

 

Serbia's Elektroprivreda establishing a company in Slovenia– (Energetika) The said company will be established once the Government of Serbia has granted its approval, which is expected shortly. Spokespeople for EPS noted that EPS Trading, having its base in Slovenia which is an EU…

 

Complaints of Serbian citizens over energy bills fully justified – (Energetika) According to the initial analyses of the National Consumer Organisation of Serbia (NOPS), the quality of gas that was supplied to Serbian households in December 2013 was not half as good as required…

 

European Union Blocks Russian Transnational Gas Pipeline – (Prensa Latina) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday denounced the European Union (EU)''s plans to review the agreements signed between Moscow and seven members of that regional bloc that participate in the South Flow gas pipeline… 


Armenia

U.S. company in $250 million Armenia energy investment– (The Armenian Reporter) The Government of the Republic of Armenia, Vorotan Cascade of Hydroelectric Power Plants CJSC, and CG Solutions Global Holding Company LLC have signed an estate sale and purchase agreement on January 29…

 

U.S. company buys Armenian power plants in $250 million deal – (Reuters) U.S. power company ContourGlobal said it will acquire three hydroelectric power plants in Armenia in a $250 million deal…

 

ContourGlobal Acquires 405 MW Armenian Hydro-Electric Facility – (Publics) This acquisition worth USD 180 million represents the largest single U.S. private investment in Armenia’s history and the first U.S. investment in Armenia’s energy sector…

 

Head of Armenian consumer watchdog praises government for selling Vorotan hydropower plant to New-York based company – (ARKA) Head of an Armenian consumer watchdog praised today the government for selling the Vorotan hydropower plants to the New-York based group ContourGlobal…

 

U.S. Embassy congratulates Armenia, ContourGlobal over Vorotan Cascade deal– (Public Radio of Armenia) The United States Embassy welcomes the agreement between the government of Armenia and the U.S. Company ContourGlobal over the purchase of the Vorotan Hydro Cascade. This 180 million dollar investment represents the largest ever U.S. private investment in Armenia and the first U.S. investment in Armenia’s energy sector…

 

USA enthusiastic about being largest energy investor in Armenia: John Heffern – (ArmenPress) The agreement on the sale of the Vorotan hydroelectric power station complex CJSC to a US firm will bring considerable investments to Armenia in energy sector…

 

Increase of electricity consumption in Armenia – (The Messenger Online) The Armenian Electricity Network released information stating that in 2013, the country used 6.186 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. This is 1.3% more than in 2012. Officials inform that special measures have been taken to decrease the waste of electricity…

 

Armenia’s power consumption ups 1.3 percent last year to 6.2 billion kw/h – (ARKA) The Armenian Electrical Networks (AEN), the Russian-owned Armenia’s national electrical power operator, said today it had sold last year 6.186 billion Kw/h electricity, which was 1.3% more than in the previous year…

 

2013 Inflation 5.6 percent: Gas/electricity price increases to blame – (ArmeniaNow) Armenia experienced 5.6 percent inflation in 2013, conditioned largely by the increase in the costs of natural gas and electricity…

 

Small hydropower plants to produce half of Nuclear Power Plant’s electricity in 2015 – (ArmenPress) In 2015 the small hydro power plants of Armenia will produce almost half of electricity produced by the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant…

 

Gazprom becomes formally full owner of Armenia’s natural gas distribution company– (ARKA) Russia’s Gazprom has formally completed the purchase of a 20 percent stake in Armenia’s natural gas distribution company ArmRosGazporm (ARG) held by the Armenian government becoming the full owner of the utility…

 

Import of Russian gas to Armenia in 2013 dropped by 0.6 percent to 1.956.3 billion cubic meters – (ARKA) The import of Russian natural gas to Armenia in 2013 dropped by 0.6 percent from the previous year to 1.956.3 billion cubic meters, the press service of the Russian-owned Armenia’s national gas operator ArmRosGazprom (ARG) said today…


Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan strengthens capital’s energy security– (Azernews) Azerenergy JSC , which is engaged in production and distribution of electricity in Azerbaijan, is to complete construction work on the second Combined Cycle Unit at the Shimal power plant in Baku by late 2014…

Azerbaijan continues work to strengthen capital’s energy security– (Trend) Azerenergy JSC (production and distribution of electricity in Azerbaijan) is to complete construction work on the second Combined Cycle Unit at the Shimal power plant in Baku by late 2014, JSC told Trend on Feb.3…

 

2014 began in Azerbaijan from zero growth of power generation– (ABC.AZ) In January 2014 Azerbaijani national energy producer Azerenerji OJSC kept generating power at the level of December 2013. Last year power generation index exceeded by 0.9% the figure for 2012 when rise was 6.5%...

 

Baku’s energy operator ups its operational status– (Trend) Due to deteriorating weather conditions, Bakielektrikshebeke JSC (electricity distribution and sale in Baku) has upped its operational output, head of Bakielektrikshebeke's press service Tanriverdi Mustafayev told Trend today…

 

Azerbaijan to prepare state program for rational energy use– (Trend) The work has started in Azerbaijan as part of preparation of the national program for the rational use of energy resources in the country for 2014-2020, according to Azerbaijani Energy Minister Natig Aliyev's article published in Azerbaijan newspaper…

 

Azerbaijan, EU discuss energy cooperation – (News.AZ) Azerbaijan`s Minister of Energy Natig Aliyev has met head of the European Union Delegation to the country Malena Mard to discuss energy cooperation…

 

EU discusses strengthening energy cooperation with Azerbaijan – (ABC.AZ) Energy Minister Natig Aliyev of Azerbaijan has received European Union ambassador to Baku Malena Mard…

 

ADB: Azerbaijan has no information about its climate change mitigation potential – (ABC.AZ) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) held a national workshop on the economics of climate change mitigation in Central and West Asia under an ADB technical assistance in Baku…

 

Azerbaijan ensures 30 percent of Georgian oil import – (Trend) Georgia imported 295,740 tons of oil and oil products worth $275.69 million from Azerbaijan in 2013, the Georgian National Statistics Service said… 


Georgia

Svaneti population rallies against Khudon Hydro Electric Power Station– (The Messenger Online) Most of Svaneti’s population announces that they are against the construction of the Khudon Hydro Electric Power Station and are thus helping to organize protest rallies. Meanwhile, state officials plan to carry out certain measurements for allotting plots of land for the Svan population; a compensation for ceding territory for Khudon Hess…

New protest wave against Khudon Hydro Electro Power Station– (The Messenger Online) People from the Svaneti mountain village of Khaishi held demonstration against the construction of the Khudon hydro-electro power station. At a rally on January 29 locals of Svaneti still feared that the dam will wipe out their community…

Georgian Energy Ministry becomes coordinator of EU initiative in energy efficiency sphere– (Trend) Georgian Energy Ministry has become a national coordinator of the European Union's flagship project, "Covenant of Mayors" for the exchange of international experience in the field of energy efficiency. A relevant memorandum of cooperation was signed between Georgian Energy Ministry and the European Commission…

 

Turkey’s Çalık Enerji wins two plant contracts in Georgia– (Daily News) Turkey’s Çalık Enerji has won two hydroelectric power plant tenders in Georgia, expanding its presence in the country two weeks after clinching a natural gas power plant contract…


Moldova

Nicolae Timofti: Signing of Association Agreement is Moldova’s priority in 2014– (TRM) We plead for removing barriers in  Moldova-Russia trade and  conclude  negotiations on cooperation in the energy sector”, said Nicolae Timofti, who mentioned that in 2014 another key objective of the Republic of Moldova’ s policy is the transnistrian conflict settlement…

 

EBRD and EIB Presidents to visit Moldova– (Caspian Energy) Since 2007, the EIB and the EBRD have jointly financed 9 projects worth a total of €674 million on an equal basis. These have supported investment in diverse sectors including from road rehabilitation, public transport, power transmission network rehabilitation modernisation, as well as in water services…


Turkey

Turkey mulls getting power from Balkans– (Daily News) Turkey is in talks with Romania and Bulgaria over providing electricity through submarine power cables in a bid to feed the soaring energy need in the Istanbul and Thrace regions…

 

Turkey imported 5 billion kWh of electricity in 2013– (World Bulletin)Turkey imported almost 5 billion kilowatthour (kWh) of electricity last year from five neighboring countries, paying almost US$335 million.  According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey imported more than half of its electricity (over 2.5 billion kWh) from Bulgaria, paying almost US$180 million…

 

Turkey's energy import bill down by 7%– (World Bulletin) Turkey's energy import bill decreased by 7 percent in 2012, falling to US$55.9 billion from US$60.1 billion.  Russia has become Turkey's biggest natural gas supplier, importing more than half of its annual 45 billion cubic meters from Russia's energy giant Gazprom…

 

Turkey reduces gas imports and consumption in 2013 – (Trend) The Turkish state pipeline company Botas imported 38.42 billion cubic meters of gas from a variety of sources in 2013 compared to 43.09 billion cubic meters in 2012, Botas said today. Turkey also imports gas from Azerbaijan which is supplied via the South Caucasus gas pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum)…

 

Turkish gas prices still high despite cuts – (CIHAN) Turkey sells some of the highest priced gasoline and diesel, still above other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members, despite Wednesday's price cuts…

 

Russia becomes Turkey's biggest gas supplier – (World Bulletin) Russia has become the biggest natural gas supplier of Turkey, after importing more than half of its 45 billion cubic meters from Gazprom…

 

Energy: Russian Gazprom top natural gas supplier of Turkey – (ANSAmed) Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom accounted for more than half of Turkey's natural gas imports last year, providing 26.6 billion of 45 billion cubic meters of imported gas, as daily Hurriyet reports...

 

Gazprom Top Natural Gas Supplier of Turkey – (Energy Tribune) Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom accounted for more than half of Turkey’s natural gas imports last year, providing 26.6 billion of 45 billion cubic meters of imported gas…

 

Turkey to consume less gas this year – (Daily News) Turkey consumed 45.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2012 and 47 billion cubic meters in 2013. Estimation for 2014 is at 46.5 billion cubic meters. Turkey’s total domestic gas consumption for 2014 is estimated to be 46.5 billion cubic meters, a decrease of 0.5 billion cubic meters compared to last year, according to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK)…

 

Cyprus accuses Turkey of harassment in energy search – (GlobalPost) Cyprus said on Monday it would not be bullied by Turkey after claims a Norwegian ship was harassed while surveying for offshore oil and gas reserves…


Ukraine

Energy Strategy: Ukraine plans to diversify gas supplies, increase gas production– (KyivPost) The updated Energy Strategy of Ukraine for the period until 2030, promulgated by the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry on Feb. 4, retains the need to find alternatives to Russian gas imports…

 

Enhancing energy efficiency remains a priority Ukraine’s government – (ForUm) A new program aimed to support the development of sustainable energy sources and energy efficiency in the country was launched in Ukraine. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is funding the program in the amount of 100 million USD, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs...

 

Euro Development Bank Lends $100M For Ukraine Energy – (Law360) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has launched a $100 million financing program aimed at developing sustainable energy sources and promoting energy efficiency in Ukraine, the bank announced Monday…

 

Ukraine actively developing renewable energy facilities – (ForUm) According to the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, at year-end 2013, the total installed capacity of renewable energy facilities grew by 81.7%, or by 539.1 MW, to 1.2 GW. This is up 50.6% year-on-year, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs...

 

Ukraine in 2013 commissions renewable energy facilities with capacity of 539.1 MW – (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukraine in 2013 commissioned renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 539.1 MW, which was 50.6% more than in 2012, Deputy Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine Serhiy Dubovyk said at a press conference in Kyiv on Friday…

 

Cabinet considers position of State Agency on Energy Efficiency on renewable energy sources and strategy – (ForUm) According to Serhiy Dubovik, Deputy Chairman of State Agency on Energy Efficiency, in updating the Ukraine’s Energy Strategy till 2030, the Cabinet has taken into account a proposal of State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine to increase by 11% the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in energy generation by 2020…

 

In 2014 Ukrainian state budget for the implementation of energy efficiency programs will be almost 500 million UAH – (Pellets-Wood) According to deputy chairman of State Energy Efficiency department Sergei Dubovik Ukraine will receive from the European Union 5.6 million and 10 million EUR – the second and third tranches…

 

Ukraine settling Gazprom debt 'gradually,' energy minister says– (Dalje) Ukrainian Energy Minister Eduard Stavitsky said his country is working steadily to resolve its cash debt to Russian energy company Gazprom.  "We are paying money gradually now," he was quoted as saying Saturday by ITAR-Tass…

 

Ukraine Has $3.3Bln Unpaid Gas Bill – Gazprom – (RiaNovosti) Crisis-hit Ukraine currently owes Russia about $3.3 billion in unpaid natural gas bills, Russia’s state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom said Monday in an apparent reminder that the long-running conflict over the fuel has not been solved by a recent price cut agreement…

 

Medvedev: Ukraine asks for gas payment break – (UPI) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the Ukrainian government has requested a delay in paying its debt for purchases of Russian natural gas…

 

Stavytsky: Ukraine plans to increase gas extraction by 8-9% in 2014 – (Kyiv Post) Ukraine plans to increase gas extraction this year by 8-9% compared with 2013, to 22 billion cubic meters, Acting Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky has said…

 

Ukraine, Chevron to sign shale gas project agreement in March: minister – (Platts) Ukraine and Chevron will sign an operational agreement in March that should see the US major start work on shale gas extraction in the country, acting Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said Saturday…

 

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