Albania

Greece, Italy, Albania sign gas pipeline deal – (Channel News Asia) Greece, Italy and Albania signed an agreement in Athens on Wednesday to support a pipeline project expected to bring natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe… 

CEZ Says Bulgaria Protests Differ From Albania – (Novinite) CEZ AS, the largest Czech power producer, said Bulgarian protests against energy bills differ from the situation in Albania which revoked its license, Hospodarske Noviny reported, citing Tomas Pleskac, the head of distribution… 

Albania calls off Vetro offer for Albpetrol oil firm – (Reuters) Albania has invalidated the winning 850 million euro ($1.1 billion) bid by Vetro Energy to buy its Albpetrol oil company after the Albanian-U.S. firm failed to come up with an initial payment, the energy minister said… 

Albania cancels privatisation of Albpetrol – (Balkans) The Albanian government said February 8 that it has invalidated the winning bid from a consortium headed by a local businessman in the tender for state oil firm Albpetrol after it failed for two months to come up with a down payment… 

Albania Snubs Ousted Utility CEZ's Indemnity Claim – (Novinite) The government of Albania has refused to pay compensations requested by Czech power utility CEZ for the early termination of its contract…

Bulgaria

Yuliana Ivanova to Chair Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog – (Novinite) Yuliana Ivanova is the new Chair of Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR)… 

Bulgarians protest high energy costs – (UPI) Bulgarians upset over record-high energy prices took to the streets this week, demanding the nationalization of three foreign-owned power companies.. 

Bulgaria appoints new chief of energy regulator as electricity price drama continues – (Sofia Globe) Yuliana Ivanova, an engineer by training, is being appointed as the new head of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, it emerged from a Cabinet meeting on February 13 2013, a post that will propel her into the midst of Bulgaria’s drama over high electricity bills… 

Bulgarians Protest Electricity Prices – (The Wall Street Journal) A protester threw a snowball at Bulgaria’s energy minister amid a wave of weekend protests over the prices of electricity… 

Bulgaria’s energy regulator mulls reforms in the face of nationwide protests over high electricity bills – (Sofia Globe) Faced with continuing public protests against high electricity and heating bills, Bulgaria’s energy regulator is discussing changes such as replacing old-style electricity meters with “smart” versions and requiring power distribution companies to meter electricity consumption according to fixed periods… 

Bulgarians protest over jump in electricity bills – (Reuters) Bulgarians took to the streets in over 10 cities in the European Union's poorest country on Sunday to protest over their latest electricity bills, surprised only now by last July's 13 percent price hike after the cold winter pushed consumption up… 

Bulgarian state bodies check electricity bills as protests continue – (Sofia Globe) After a day of protests that saw thousands of people in 15 Bulgarian cities and towns express indignation against high bills for electricity and heating, Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Delyan Dobrev said on February 11 2013 that all state institutions involved in some way with energy issues were investigating the reasons for the sums in the bills…

Strong wind cuts power supply in Bulgaria’s capital- (Focus) Rila power substation was turned off by the strong wind raging in the Bulgarian capital city Sofia. The electricity supply in downtown Sofia – Lozenets residential quarter and other Southern regions in the capital – was cut for about 40-50 minutes, CEZ power distribution company announced for FOCUS News Agency…

Bosnia

Bosnia-Herzegovina's Posavina has a huge potential for the production of energy from the agricultural biomass – (Balkans) The Director of the Institute for Genetic Resources of Banja Luka University and the Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture Gordana Đurić asserted that farmers in the Brčko District and municipalities of Šamac, Domaljevac-Šamac, Odžak and Orašje in the Bosnian Posavina and beyond have a huge potential for the production of energy from the agricultural biomass-biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas-from waste and residues from agriculture and energy crops…

First Bosnia-Herzegovina's cluster in the area of renewable energy-mining-LED lighting holds presentation in Prijedor – (Balkans) On Saturday in Prijedor a presentation of the first BiH cluster in the area of renewable energy-mining-LED lighting was held… 

Energy community sets up competition network – (ACC) On November 23 2012 a seminar on competition law enforcement in the energy sector held at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna saw the creation of the Energy Community Competition Network. Competition authorities from Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Kosovo and Armenia, as well as representatives of the Energy Community Secretariat, signed a joint declaration on the etablishment of the network at the Energy Community…

Kosovo

Kosova: Membership To EBRD Raises Hopes For Economic Development – (UNPO) As Kosovo becomes a member of International Financial Institutions, such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, alarm bells are ringing about which model of development these bodies are pushing in the EU’s newest country… 

Will the EBRD do the right thing for Kosovo, its newest member? – (New Europe) As Kosovo becomes a member of International Financial Institutions, such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, alarm bells are ringing about which model of development these bodies are pushing in the EU’s newest country… 

GAP: Investment in energy, transport and agriculture – (ECIKS)  The Institute for Advanced Studies (GAP) has published an analysis on the possibilities of financing specific projects in Kosovo by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), after Kosovo's membership in this institution…

Macedonia

PPC losing millions due to power theft – (Ekathimerini) The phenomenon of electricity theft has grown out of control due to the economic crisis and the inability of many to pay their bills… 

Petrol prices in Macedonia to register new increase – (Focus) As of midnight, retail petrol prices in Macedonia have registered an average increase of MKD 3.5 (EUR 1 = MKD 61), while the price of the diesel has increased with a half of denar. Approximately the same is the price rise of the oil residue… 

Lack of electricity encourages windmill projects in the region – (Setimes) Balkan countries are working on using wind as an alternative source of generating electricity and to satisfy EU accession requirements, experts said… 

EVN Macedonia gains control over small HPP from Czech concessionaire – (Hydro World) EVN Macedonia gained control over its seven small hydro power plants that were given under concession to Czech company Hydropol in 2002, local media reported… 

Capacity of 10 EVN Macedonia HPPs up 10% since 2002 – (Hydro World) EVN Macedonia said that the capacity of ten of its hydro power plants (HPPs) has been boosted by 10% since 2002…

Romania

Power play: the sorry saga of Romania's energy projects – (The Diplomat) Romanian politicians, at least those in charge of the energy field, are very ambitious. They have all stated that Romania is or can clearly be a power in the field all over the region and that the country will achieve energy independence… 

Romania’s energy system runs a yearly loss of USD 5.5 billion – (Business Review) Losses in the Romanian energy system account to EUR 5.5 billion annually or 2.2 percent of GDP, representing double the EU average, said, last week, Iulian Iancu, president of the Industry and Services Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, who is also president of the Romanian National Council part of the World Energy Council… 

Romanian energy regulator drafts new rules for free natural gas market – (Power Engineering) Romania's energy regulator, ANRE, has drafted and published on its website the preliminary regulations for the liberalised natural gas market…

Serbia

Japan donates €263,564 for utility services in three Serbia's municipalities – (Balkans) Serbian Assistant Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Dejan Trifunovic said that all donations of Japan to Serbia are aimed at helping local self-governments and improving the living conditions of the population in Serbia… 

Gen-I Enters Serbian Electricity Retail Market – (STA) Slovenian energy trader Gen-I said Wednesday it had entered the electricity retail market in Serbia as the first independent provider to make the move after it has already operated on the wholesale market there… 

Serbia Plans 1,092MW New Capacity to Improve Energy Mix by 2020  -(Bloomberg) Serbia’s revised incentives for using renewable energy sources will help add 1,092 megawatts of available power by 2020, an Energy Ministry official said… 

Serbia tells state power monopoly to restructure or go bust – (Reuters) Serbia's finance minister told state-run power monopoly EPS on Thursday to restructure or face bankruptcy, refusing it any financial help and offering only "moral support"…

South Stream pipeline progressing in Serbia – (Penn Energy) The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Dusan Bajatovic, Director General of state-owned Srbijagas…

Armenia

EBRD provides $25m for hydropower in Armenia – (Energy Live News) A $25 million (£16m) loan from a London-based bank is set to help finance the rehabilitation of seven hydropower plants in Armenia… 

Natural gas price in Armenia rose to $232 per 1000 cubic m in 2012: press digest – (AKA News Agency) Even though Armenia’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan had been stating all year around the price for the imported natural gas remained the same--$180 per 1000 cubic meters, it actually rose to $232 in 2012, according to the article published Tuesday in Orakarg (Agenda) newspaper… 

Armenian parliament permits delivery of equipment for Meghri hydropower plant – (AKA News Agency) Armenia’s parliament has ratified today a set of amendments to an Armenian-Iranian protocol on construction and management of hydropower plants on the River of Arax signed on December 23, 2011… 

EBRD loans to finance Armenian rehabilitation projects – (Hydro World) The European Bank for Reconstruction Development (EBRD) has announced a US$25 million loan that will help fund International Energy Corporation (IEC) rehabilitations of seven hydropower projects in Armenia's Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade… 

Russia's RusHydro to back EBRD loan for Armenian hydro upgrade – (Hydro World) Top Russian hydropower company RusHydro will guarantee a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan to the International Energy Company for hydropower modernization in Armenia, RusHydro said Wednesday, as cited by RIA Novosti…

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan hedging pipeline bets – (UPI) A state energy company in Azerbaijan said it's worth the risk in a competitive European natural gas field to move forward with competing pipeline decisions… 

Possibility of 2-fold rise in energy product export from Azerbaijan called – (abc.az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijan has a real opportunity to double its energy product exports without the development of new fields… 

Azerbaijani thermoelectric power station generates over 8 BN kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2012 – (Trend) The Azerbaijani thermoelectric power station generated 8.13 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2012, Azerenergy, (production and distribution of electricity in Azerbaijan) said today… 

State control over energy brings in 4-fold more income for Azerbaijan than PSAs would give – (abc.az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The issue of liberalization of the energy market has been raised at today’s Baku meeting of the Committee on Energy Security of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly… 

Azerbaijan plans to create Agency for Energy Efficiency – (abc.az)  Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Roberto Lo Cicero Vaina, head of project "Energy Saving Initiative in the Building Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ESIB) of INOGATE program of the European Union, has completed a week-long visit to Azerbaijan… 

Baku hosts session of committee for energy security of Euronest PA – (Vestnik) Baku will host a session of the committee for energy security within the framework of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly today, attended by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine… 

This January’s power generation in Azerbaijan remains at December’s level – (abc,az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani national energy producer Azerenerji OJSC generated in January 2013 the same amount of power as in December 2012. The last year’s power generation index exceeded the 2011 figure by 6.5%... 

Azerbaijani banks not ready to finance energy efficiency improvement in country – (abc.az) Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Energy efficiency remains commercially unattractive activity in the country.

Roberto Lo Cicero Vaina of project Energy Saving Initiative in the Building Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ESIB) of European Union program INOGATE, says that Azerbaijani commercial banks are not ready to be included in the financing of projects related with the increase of energy efficiency… 

Euronest PA discusses energy projects in Baku – (Vestnik) Attendants of the Euronest PA in Baku are discussing a report by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, a member of the United Group of European Socialists from Denmark, and Georgian MP David Onoprishvili about energy security of the Eastern Partnership, 1news reports…

Georgia

Georgian ministers meet with investors involved in hydroelectric power station construction  -(Trend) Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze and Environment Minister Khatuna Gogaladze have met with representatives of the companies-investors engaged in construction of Larsi hydroelectric power station, Kazbegi hydroelectric power station and Darial hydroelectric power station today and listened to the detailed information on the project implementation process…

Russia

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Fedorov to Leave Job – (Bloomberg Business Week) Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Fedorov resigned after a year in the job during which he helped change taxes for Russia’s oil and gas industry, the government said… 

The Past, Present and Future of Russian Energy Strategy – (Value Walk) The future of Russia’s ability to remain a global energy supplier and the strength the Russian energy sector gives the Kremlin are increasingly in question… 

Metso to build 4MW biomass plant for Russian energy firm – (EBR) Finnish technology and services provider Metso has agreed to build a complete biomass-fired combined heat and power plant for Russian energy company Bioenergeticheskaya Kompaniya…

RusHydro - the Monopoly that wants to Take Over Russia's Water Services – (Oil Price) RussHydro, the Russian Federation’s largest hydropower company, wants to take over management of the country's water and waste water services and has drafted a plan to that effect to present to the government by 10 February…

Russia’s Sintez Bids for Greek Gas DEPA – (Greek Reporter) Moving to speed the pace of privatizations as demanded by international lenders, Greece has received a high bid for its state-run gas company DEPA of up to 1.9 billion euros ($2.5 billion) from Russian energy firm Sintez Group, the Moscow-based Kommersant business daily reported…

Russian nuclear power plants start new year with new glitches – (Bellona) Five Russian nuclear power plants (NPPs) started the new year with new statistics of scrams, emergency repairs, and power reductions – incidents that not only affect a station’s economic performance but can serve as precursors to more serious accidents at the site…

Gazprom: 2030 Before Shtokman Producing – (Oil and Gas Eurasia) UPI reports that Russian energy company Gazprom said it would start producing as much as 2.1 trillion cubic feet of gas from its northern Shtokman project by 2030… 

Russia generates 1pct more electricity in 2012 – Rosstat – (Steel Guru) The Federal State Statistics Service said that Russia generated 1.064 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2012 up 1.1% from 2011. Output rose 1% to 721 billion KWH at coal and gas fired power plants and 3.1% to 178 billion KWH at nuclear plants but fell 0.1% to 165 billion KWH at hydropower plants… 

Coal Mine Blast Kills 18 in Russia – (Energy Digital) A devastating coal mine blast in northern Russia this morning left 18 people dead. Thus far, ten bodies have been recovered from the Vorkutinskaya mine, an officer at the Russian interior Ministry told the Associated Press…

Turkey

US starts to see Turkey as Iraq energy bridge: Envoy – (Daily News) Turkey has been considered as a link to Iraq’s energy for US, the US ambassador to Turkey has said, praising the strategic location of the country and boosting bilateral trades between two parties.. 

USTDA Director Zak Remarks Sets Stage for U.S.-Turkey Smart Grid Workshop – (ELP) U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Leocadia I. Zak kicked off the U.S.-Turkey Smart Grid Workshop in Istanbul today, highlighting the Agency's commitment to assisting Turkey in achieving its energy sector expansion goals…

Turkey prepares to hand $5bn to US biz for intelligent electricity – (The Register) Turkey will spend $5bn over the next two years creating a smart grid to cope with increased energy consumption, and buying plenty of American kit with which to do it…

GE Increases Output of Wind Turbines in Turkey – (Today Energy Solutions) Zorlu Enerji Group has selected GE’s WindBOOST service technology to enhance the output of 31 GE 2.5MW wind turbines at the Gokcedag Wind Farm in Turkey… 

Turkey should look to an ancient king for tips on energy – (The National) The giant stone heads scattered around Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey combine several cultures. Raised in 62 BC, these statues of Greek, Armenian and Iranian gods have Hellenic faces but wear Persian hats, testament to their builder, King Antiochus… 

Turkey’s $5 Billion Smart-Grid Plan Seen Boosting Ties With U.S. – (Bloomberg) Turkey will spend $5 billion on smart power grids by 2015 to boost network efficiency, allowing North American companies to expand, the U.S. government said… 

Turkey's Dadas Shale: One Of The World's Top Unconventional Shale Oil Plays – (Seeking Alpha) In Part 1 of our story on Turkey, contributing editor Jen Alic reviewed the country's intriguing onshore and offshore oil potential… 

Global matters: 8 smart grid and renewables updates from around the world – (Smart Grid) From Turkey's smart grid spending plans (and what they could mean for U.S. companies) to tumbling renewable prices in Australia (and what they could mean for coal plants) we've got a quick look at some interesting new developments near and far… 

Turkey Sees ‘Huge’ Clean-Energy Investment as Demand Bucks Trend – (Bloomberg) Turkey expects “huge” investments in renewable power in the next 10 years as growth in energy demand outpaces economic expansion, a government official said… 

Qatar and Turkey Inching Closer to LNG Deal – (Energy Tribune) Gulf News reported that by Zia Khan A high level Qatari delegation will visit Turkey this month in in a bid to finalize a deal between the two countries for long term import of liquefied natural gas from the Gulf state to the Asiatic European country…

Energy minister: Turkey continues buying Iranian oil and gas – (Trend) Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that his country will continue buying oil and gas from Iran, IRNA reported…

Turkey reduces electricity consumption and generation  -(Trend) Electricity consumption in Turkey decreased by 0.3 percent in January 2013 compared to the same month in 2012, amounting to 21.3 billion…

Ukraine

Kyiv expects Energy Community to help achieve balance of interests between Ukraine, Russia, EU – (KyivPost) Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to the Energy Community provisions and expects it to assume an active position in achieving a balance of interests between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union in the energy sector, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement regarding interaction between Kyiv and the Energy Community… 

RENAC: Ukrainian Decision Makers to Get the Know How on Improving Energy Efficiency – (Market Watch) Starting on the 18th of February, Ukrainian political and business decision-makers will be able to attend the "Training in Energy Efficiency" (TrEff) programme…

Europe to support Ukraine’s reforms in energy sector – (Forum) The European Union is ready to continue to provide financial support for Ukraine to ensure its independence in the energy sector, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said at a meeting with Ukrainian parliamentarians in Kyiv on Thursday… 

Ukraine slightly cuts electricity generation in January 2013 – (KyivPost) Ukraine's integrated power grids decreased electricity output by 0.1% year-over-year in January 2013, to 18.438 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), an Energy and Coal Industry Ministry source has told Interfax-Ukraine…

Ukrenergo to auction 4,050 megawatts of electricity to export in March – (KyivPost) National energy company Ukrenergo has announced an auction on February 12, 2013 for access to the Ukrainian power grid to export electricity from March 1 to March 31, 2013, according to an announcement posted on the company's Web site…

Ukraine should buy maximum amount of reverse gas – (Forum) Ukraine should use diversification of gas supply at full capacity and sign agreements with other European countries on reverse supply, head of operations section in the fields of energy, transport and environment of the EU delegation to Ukraine Walter Tretton told a press briefing during the round table "Policy of energy efficiency and increase in public awareness: responsibility and cooperation… 

Ukrenergo To Auction 4 GW Of Electricity Export Capacity In March – (Utility Products) On February 12, the Ukrenergo national power company (Kyiv) will auction access to power transmission lines with a total capacity of 4 gigawatts for exporting electricity in March…

  

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.