Albania 

Czech power utility reaches agreement with Balkan nation after row over license- (Prague Post) Prague, June 24 (ČTK) — Czech state-run power utility ČEZ and Albania, which revoked ČEZ's distribution license last year, have reached a settlement agreement under which ČEZ will be paid back 100 million euros (about 2.75 billion Kč) in annual installments by 2018, spokeswoman Barbora Půlpánová told the Czech News Agency today…

Albania will pay to CEZ 95 M Euros for CEZ Shperndarje- (Albanian Economy News) Albanian government reached an amicable solution with Czech energy giant, CEZ, the Ministry of Economy and Energy announced today…

CEZ Reaches 100 Million-Euro Settlement With Albanian Government- (Bloomberg) CEZ AS, the Czech Republic’s largest power producer, agreed with the Albanian government to settle a dispute over the revocation of its distribution license in the country last year…

Czech utility reaches agreement with Balkan nation after row over license- (Prague Post) Prague, June 24- Czech state-run power utility CEZ and Albania, which revoked CEZ’s distribution license last year, have reached a settlement agreement under which CEZ will be paid back 100 million euros (about 2.75 billion KC) in annual installments by 2018, spokeswoman Barbora Pulpanova told the Czech News Agency today...

CEZ ends Albanian episode and turns back on Balkans- (Radio Praha) Czech power company CEZ has paid a price for drawing a line under its Albanian episode and is now looking away from the Balkans and to countries closer to home as the target for its future investment targets...

Albania and CEZ announce that they have reached an agreement- (Balkans) Albania and Czech energy group CEZ announced in a joint statement on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement on the lengthy conflict over the revocation of CEZ’s electricity distribution license in Albania…

Bulgaria 

Business Energy Consumers to Protest Electricity Price Hike – (Novinite) Bulgaria's business energy consumers have threatened to stop paying electricity bills if the energy watchdog DKEVR approves a proposal increasing prices... 

Bulgaria Industry Calls for Cancellation of Electricity Tenders- (Publics.bg) The start of the regulatory period needs to be pushed forward to Aug 1, while tenders should not be allowed in the month prior to the beginning of the new period, BFIEC, BAMI and BIA said in an open letter…

Bulgaria energy watchdog lodges two complaints with EC over illegal state aid to TPPs and RES producers- (Focus) Sofia. “State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) has lodged two complaints with the European Commission (EC) over illegal state aid to TPPs and renewable energy sources (RES) [producers],” said Boyan Boev, Chairperson of the SEWRC, speaking after an open sitting of the institution, FOCUS News Agency reported…

Bulgarian Energy Watchdog Complains to EC about Unlawful State Aid – (Novinite) Bulgaria’s energy watchdog has sent two complaints to the European Commission concerning unlawful State aid to two US-owned power plants and to renewable energy producers…

Bulgarian Energy Holding diversifies portfolio to avoid financial risk- (StandartNews) Sofia. The Bulgarian Energy Holding has started redistributing its funds among various banks with the aim to reduce risk arising from concentration of assets in one bank…

Bulgarian regulator lodges EC complaint against US-owned power plants- (Sofia Globe) Bulgaria’s State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) has lodged official complaints with the European Commission against two thermal power plants owned by US private investors and renewable energy producers, the regulator’s head Boyan Boev said on June 25…

Bulgaria state energy regulator to hold open sitting- (FOCUS) Sofia. State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) is to hold an open sitting at 10:00 a.m. at its office in the capital city, the press centre of the institution announced…

Bulgaria’s Bugargaz Opposes 2.5% Gas Price Cut Proposal- (Novinite) Bulgaria's state-owned gas supplier Bulgargaz has warned that a gas price cut will put it into a difficult financial situation…

Bulgaria state energy watchdog to make final decision on proposed gas price on June 30 in connection with Bulgargaz objections- (FOCUS) Sofia. State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) will make on June 30 a final decision in connection with the objections on the part of Bulgargaz to the proposed by the state regulator price of natural gas…

Bulgaria says South Stream pipeline deals break no EU rules- (Reuters) SOFIA, June 25 (Reuters) - Bulgaria did not breach EU law when it signed deals for the construction of the Russian-led South Stream gas pipeline, the government said on Wednesday, dismissing Brussels' objections to a project that has spurred tensions between Moscow and the West…

Croatia 

Croatia aims to set up power exchange this year- (Reuters)  Budapest, June 19- Croatia aims to have a spot power exchange operational this year and couple it with the bourses of neighbouring Hungary and Slovenia, the head of Croatian energy market operator HROTE said on Thursday…

Upsolar Unveils Projects in Belgium and Croatia- (Alternative Energy eMagazine) Upsolar, a provider of solar PV modules, is announcing the completion of new projects in Belgium and Croatia that were developed in partnership with the Belgium-based engineering firm Upgrade Energy…

Slovenian, Austrian, Croatian PMs Endorse Juncker, Discuss Energy- (STA) Brodo pri Kranju, 20 June- Boosting business cooperation and measure to reduce unemployment dominated the trilateral meeting with Croatian PM Zoran Milanovic and Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann hosted by outgoing Slovenian PM Alenka Bratusek at Brdo pri Kranju on Friday...

Kosovo 

Lasting Solutions: Making Kosovo More Energy Efficient for the Future- (World Bank) Kosovo – the youngest country in Europe – has experienced solid economic growth record since 1999 and remains just one of four countries in Europe to record positive growth rates in every year since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008…

Kosovo power plant incident ignites workplace safety investigation- (SETimes) Authorities said they are working on improving safety at a Kosovo power plant where an explosion this month killed two workers and injured 12 others…

Kosovo reduces import of power supply- (Turkish Weekly) In the first quarter of 2014, Kosovo has produced around 2,143 thousand tons of coal…

Macedonia  

Clean Energy fair in Skopje- (MINA) Connecting young people with companies working in the field of renewable energy sources and universities offering related studies is the objective of the Clean Energy Fair, which is being held Wednesday and Thursday at Skopje's EU InfoCentre…

Montenegro

From Croatia to Montenegro, shady energy deals plague the region’s economy- (Balkans) From Croatia to Montenegro, shady energy deals plague the region’s economy, according to a report to be published (24 June) during the European Commission’s Sustainable Energy Week…

Romania

Romania’s energy minister expects Electrica IPO to be fully subscribed by Monday- (Romania Insider) Romania’s electricity distributor Electrica’s initial public offering (IPO) should be fully subscribed by Monday, June 23, two days before it is set to end, energy minister Razvan Nicolescu said...

Romania and China negotiations for two nuclear reactors are drawing to a close- (Balkans) Advanced negotiations between Romania and China on the construction of two nuclear reactors at Cernavoda should be concluded in the last part of this year, said Friday Constantin Nita, the minister of economy, in a statement…

Chinese lender ready to finance Romania’s big energy projects, says deputy PM Dragnea- (Business Review) The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is ready to finance key energy projects in Romania including two nuclear reactors at Cernavoda and the pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant Tarnita, said Monday Deputy Prime Minister Liviu Dragnew after meeting the president of the Chinese lender, reports Mediafax newswire…

China’s ICBC to finance nuclear power project in Romania- (PennEnergy) The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) will provide funding to Romania to finish construction of a nuclear power project in Cernavoda, The Wall Street Journal reported. Romanian Vice-Premier Liviu Dragnea said the project will add two more reactors to bring the total to four, doubling the plant's current capacity of 700 megawatts...

Romania’s state-run energy company Electrica IPO is fully subscribed- (Balkans) The initial public offering of 51 percent in Romania’s state-run energy company Electrica SA has been fully subscribed two days before the completion date, while Bucharest-listed stocks closed slightly higher in a quiet session Monday…

China nears decision on nuclear investment in Romania, says economy minister- (Business Review) Advanced negotiations between Romania and China on the construction of two nuclear reactors at Cernavoda should be concluded in the last part of this year, said Friday Constatin Nita, the minister of economy in a statement… 

Serbia 

Serbia: Thermal Power Plants Nikola Tesla TENT, power generation status report after floods, Ljubisa Mihailovic, Director for power production in TPPNT- (Serbia Energy) Floods have not incurred serious, direct damage to power plants Nikola Tesla TENT (TPPNT), but due to shortage of coal, the scope of production will be reduced and financial result will deteriorate…

Serbia: The imported electricity six times more expensive than domestic one- (Serbia Energy) Any increase in the electricity price is too big hit to the already thinned household budgets of the citizens, but energy experts believe that this is an inevitable step…

Wind park investment in Serbia in doubt- (Reuters) Sarajevo, June 24- Authorities in Serbia have revoked a permit for the local subsidiary of a U.S. renewable energy company to build a 300-million-euro ($408) million) wind park, under challenge by the electricity grid operator…

Serbia: Gas arrives in Serbia without difficulties- (Serbia Energy) The delivery of the Russian gas, which arrives in Europe over Ukraine, should not be undamaged and changed, although the conditions on the gas supply from Russia have changed…

Electrica loses energy exporter from Serbia: Rudnap asked to withdraw supply license- (Act Media) The Serbian company Rudnap, which exported significant quantities of energy from Romania to Serbia between 2010-2011, asked ANRE to withdraw the supply license after stopping its activity in the energy market…

Wind park investment in Serbia in doubt- (Reuters) SARAJEVO, June 24 - Authorities in Serbia have revoked a permit for the local subsidiary of a U.S. renewable energy company to build a 300-million-euro ($408 million) wind park, under challenge by the electricity grid operator…

Gazprom aim to make Serbia’s NIS an energy leader in the Balkan region- (Balkans) Russian and Gazprom officials have presented their "development and investment plans for NIS" to Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antić…

Armenia 

U.S Acquisition of Armenian Hydro Plant in Doubt- (Asbarez) YEREVAN—The Armenian government gave on Tuesday the strongest indication yet that it could soon cancel the $250 million sale of Armenia’s largest cascade of hydroelectric plants to a U.S. energy firm, which was officially announced in January…

U.S.-Armenian Energy Deal in Doubt- (Azatutyun) The Armenian government gave on Tuesday the strongest indication yet that it could cancel soon the $250 million sale of Armenia’s largest cascade of hydroelectric plants to a U.S. energy firm, which was officially announced in January…

Alternative think-tank head argues for development of alternative energy sources- (ARKA) Yerevan, June 25. Tatus Manaseryan, head of ‘Alternative’ think-tank in Yerevan, urged the government today to step up support for the development of alternative energy sources…

Another electricity price hike to affect local producers, says consumer watchdog- (ARKA) Yerevan, June 25. Melita Hakobyan, head of a consumer watchdog called the National Association of Consumer has slammed today the authorities for planning to allow another sharp rise in the price of electricity from August 1…

Armenia rejects foreign investment- (AzerNews) "Investment-hungry" Armenia has decided to reject a foreign investment at an amount of $70 million…

Haykakan Zhamanak: Vorotan Hydro Cascade deal to be cancelled- (Aysor) ‘Haykakan Zhamanak’ daily writes that the Armenian government is close to the cancellation of the Vorotan Hydro Cascade sales transaction…

Ex-president calls for revision or cancellation of a deal to sell Vorotan hydropower plant to US-based company- (ARKA) Yerevan, June 23. An ex-president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, has called for revision or cancellation of a deal concluded by the government whereby it sold the Vorotan hydropower plant in southern Armenia to US-based Contour Global Hydro Cascade…

Ex-prez Kocharyan comments on four minority parties’ demands- (ArmeniaNow) Former President Robert Kocharyan has leveled some fresh criticism at the authorities while commenting on some of the demands presented by the four minority parliamentary parties to the Armenian government…

Kocharian Calls for Cancellation of Hydroelectric Plant Sale- (Asbarez) YEREVAN—Armenia’s former president Robert Kocharian, in an interview with Yerkir.am, called on Armenia’s authorities to cancel or drastically alter a deal with the US-based ContourGlobal, which earlier this year bought Armenia’s only remaining national hydro-electric plan, Vorotan, located on the Artsakh-Armenia border…

Azerbaijan    

Azerbaijan to Open New Stage in European Energy Security- (USACC) Azerbaijani gas, which will be the first alternative source for the European Union is due to reach European countries in 2019…

Azerbaijan and Russia coordinating energy policy until 2040- (ABC.az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijan and Russia are coordinating energy policy until 2040…

SOCAR ends appraisal drilling at Aghburun-Deniz offshore structure- (AzerNews) Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR has completed the appraisal drilling at the Aghburun-Deniz offshore structure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea…

SOCAR completes drilling of exploratory well in Caspian Sea- (Trend.az) Azerbaijani State Oil Company (SOCAR) has completed the appraisal drilling at the Agburun-Deniz offshore structure in the Caspian Sea's Azerbaijani sector, according to a message from the company…

EBRD-run Fund to finance private and public enterprises on energy efficiency- (ABC.az) Baku, Fineko. The Eastern Europe Partnership Fund on Energy Efficiency & Environment (E5P), which opens the financing of projects in Azerbaijan, will allocate funds to private and public enterprises…

Iran wants steep increase in Azeri gas imports- (Reuters) Iran wants to raise gas imports from Azerbaijan almost six-fold to 2 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year from a current 370 million cubic metres and to use gas storage in Azerbaijan, a source a the Azeri state energy company SOCAR told Reuters...

Georgia 

Association with Georgia stands to boost EU role in region, growth and security- (EurActiv) Georgia can help pioneer a new, stronger, and healthier relationship between the countries of the region and the EU, writes Alex Petriashvili…

New Power Plant in Gardabani to Reduce Electricity Price- (Financial) The Partnership Fund (PF), a state-owned shareholding company, has started to install General Electric turbines at the Gardabani Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant (CCTPP). The Gardabani plant will generate 1.8 billion KW annually and will supply the local market with additional electricity…

Kaladze: Georgia will do everything to promptly enter EU- (KyivPost) Georgia's Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze, who is a leader of the ruling coalition Georgian Dream, said he is convinced that Georgia will become a full-fledged member of the European community in the nearest future…

U.S. Frontera Resources starts gas production in Georgia-  (AzerNews) U.S. Frontera Resources Company started gas production and its sale process in Mtsare Khevi field in the Sagarejo district (Kakheti, Eastern Georgia) on June 20…

Gas Policies: Armenia looking for options in view of possible changes in Georgia transit terms- (Armenia Now) The parliamentary ad hoc commission looking into issues of natural gas distribution in Armenia has come up with some sensational statements, which, however, have not caused a political scandal…

Moldova 

The EU's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine- (Europa) On 27 June 2014 the EU will sign Association Agreements with Georgia and the Republic of Moldova and complete the signature process with Ukraine, each providing for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area…

The EBRD, Moldova, Georgia and the Eastern Partnership- (Financial) Moldova’s and Georgia’s drive for greater regional integration will be one of the focuses at EU-led conferences in Chișinău and Tbilisi this week…

Turkey 

President sets task to turn SOCAR Turkey Energy into leader on Turkish market- (News.az) President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has set the task of turning SOCAR Turkey Energy into the leader of the Turkish market...

Vestas wins 33MW wind turbine contract in Turkey- (Energy Business Review) Vestas has won a contract from Borusan EnBW for a 33MW wind power project in Turkey...

TANAP gains great importance: SOCAR Turkey- (AzerNews) The Trans-Anatolian (TANAP) gas pipeline has gained great importance…

Is Nuclear Power the Answer to Turkey’s Energy Needs?- (Daily Sabah) After the coal mine disaster in Soma that killed 301 people last month, discussions have commenced again upon Turkey's move toward nuclear energy...

Vestas grabs 33MW in Turkey- (reNews) Vestas is to deliver the Borusan EnBW joint venture with 10 turbines for the 33MW Fuat RES wind power plant in western Turkey…

Turkey unveils new energy monitoring system- (World Bulletin) Turkey's Energy and Natural Ministry has unveiled an innovative new monitoring system for measuring the country's energy reserves and flows…

Vestas secures 33 MW order for wind power project in Turkey- (PennEnergy) Dutch manufacturer Vestas has secured an order for 33 megawatts of wind turbines for a wind project in Izmir, Turkey…

Tanker carrying Iraqi Kurdish oil departs Turkish port, minister says- (Reuters) ANKARA, June 23 (Reuters) - Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Monday the third tanker carrying oil from the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan has departed Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan and a fourth tanker is being loaded…

Vestas secures 33MW wind turbine contract from Borusan EnBW in Turkey- (CTBR) Vestas has ssecured a 33MW wind turbine order in Turkey, completing a 207MW framework agreement with Borusan EnBW…

Ukraine 

Ukraine asks for ‘big gas reverse’ from Slovakia- (RT) Ukraine Energy Minister Yury Prodan says the EU has been asked to start pumping 30 billion cubic meters of gas using reverse flow from Slovakia. Russia has cut supplies to Ukraine until it pays its gas bill; meanwhile Kiev is seeing alternate supplies…

On the RiskMap Radar: Ukraine’s Energy Dispute, US Politics and Indonesia’s Election- (Forbes) LONDON – In the coming fortnight, tensions between Ukraine and Russia enter a new phase following Russia’s decision to throttle back the amount of gas it provides to Ukraine…

Ukraine Says Won't Budge in Gas Talks With Russia- (Wall Street Journal) BRUSSELS—Ukraine said on Wednesday that it would be willing to resume talks with Russia to end a dispute over natural gas soon, but that no definitive solution was likely in the current climate…

Russia's Gazprom says gas flows to Europe via Ukraine stable- (Reuters) MOSCOW, June 23 - Russian gas flows to Europe via Ukraine were stable on Monday amid pricing standoff between Moscow and Kiev, Russian gas pipeline exporting monopoly Gazprom said…

Merkel says progress in Ukraine too slow, threatens sanctions- (Reuters) BERLIN, June 25- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday new sanctions against Russia could be put back on the agenda if progress in stabilizing the situation in Ukraine does not speed up…

SIDEBAR Ukraine invites EU to monitor gas flows amid price row with Russia-(Europe Online Magazine) Brussels (dpa) - Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said Wednesday that he has invited the European Union to send monitors to his country to check that it is not siphoning off Russian gas supplies intended for the bloc…

EU top negotiator in gas price row talks to Kiev, Moscow next- (Reuters) BRUSSELS, June 25 - The European Union's top negotiator in the gas price row between Ukraine and Russia said on Wednesday he would call Moscow as soon as possible to try to get both sides back to talks and Ukraine meanwhile should fill up its gas storage…

Ukraine invites EU to monitor gas flows amid price row with Russia- (London South East) Brussels (Alliance News) - Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said Wednesday that he has invited the EU to send monitors to his country to check that it is not siphoning off Russian gas supplies intended for the bloc…

Ukraine to sign EU trade deal that could revive economy- (CBCNews) Ukraine will sign a sweeping economic and trade agreement with the European Union on Friday, finally completing a trade deal that plunged it into a revolution and ongoing conflict with its closest neighbour, Russia...

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.