Energy Community News-Feed

Study on Development of Best Practice Recommendations for Imbalance Settlement available on-line

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In 2012 the Energy Community Secretariat commissioned Greek consultants LDK to carry out a study on imbalance settlement mechanisms and to develop best practice recommendations. According to the study, the Contracting Parties presently “face inefficient balancing markets and typically have only one provider of ancillary services within their countries”. The content of the European Framework Guidelines and Network Codes has been taken into account for the study’s recommendations.

Secretariat’s Opinion on the Albanian regulatory authority’s exemption decision for the TAP pipeline project

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Secretariat today gave its Opinion on the decision adopted by the Albanian energy regulatory authority (ERE) to grant exemptions to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) pipeline project from certain requirements of the acquis communautaire. The TAP project plans to transport gas produced at the Shah Deniz 2 field in Azerbaijan from Greece via Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to Southern Italy and to further markets in Europe. In March 2013, the ERE, together with the regulatory authorities of Greece and Italy, granted a conditional exemption from requirements under European energy law, such as unbundling, third-party access and tariff regulation, to certain aspects of the projects.

Follow up - Public consultation on the recently submitted PECI candidates

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As part of the process of public consultation on candidate Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI), and as a follow up of the Open Day discussions, the Secretariat, on behalf of the Task Force, invites interested parties to comment the additional candidates for PECI. The public consultation on potential PECI ran from 07/03/2013 to 29/04/2013 and resulted in 15 additional PECI candidate projects. The Secretariat asks the interested stakeholders to comment the new projects via email, by no later than 27 May to peci@energy-community.org.

Secretariat to recruite two administration positions

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Today marks the beginning of recruitement period for an Accountant and new Communication Officer positions. For applications to be valid, candidates must submit a cover letter and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English. Potential canditates are invited to send their applications no later than 2 July 2013 to the email: recruitment@energy-community.org.

Energy Community website to undergo a face lifting

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Starting 6 May 2013, a new, more updated version of the Energy Community website will be available on-line. In concrete terms, the website will have a new, more dynamic opening page. There will be a new Members – section that groups together the Contracting Party specific information across the diverse energy sectors. Also, the Energy Community Regulatory Board website will be merged into the general Energy Community website. As a result, the user will need only one set of logins, can register and access all the meeting documents within one website.

The Secretariat to provide its Opinion on Albanian Regulator's Decision to exempt Trans Adriatic Pipeline

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Under Article 36 of the Gas Directive 2009/73/EC, the Albanian Regulatory Authority, (ERE) requested the Energy Community Secretariat’s opinion on its decision to exempt the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project. The exemption relates to the requirements in Article 9, 32, 41.6, 41.8 and 41.10 of that Directive and concerns the third party access, tariffs and ownership unbundling.

Secretariat on a fact-finding mission related to gas transmission in Ukraine

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On 25 and 26 April 2013, the Secretariat’s gas experts are on a mission in Ukraine. The mission focuses on the compliance by Ukrtransgaz with its obligations as transmission system operator under the Energy Community Treaty. The issues to be discussed are of relevance in the broader context of security of gas supply in Ukraine.

Secretariat holds a Workshop on the Implementation of the RES Directive 2009/28/EC

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of the workshop was to discuss in detail the obligations arising from the implementation of the RES Directive 2009/28/EC. As a next step, the participants were shown best practices and lessons learned at the EU level. The key message sent to participants was that the timely adoption of a sound National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) is the crucial precondition for a sound, long term renewable energy policy.

The 6th Social Forum calls for a regional definition on vulnerable customer

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Officially opened by H.E. Ms. Zorana Mihajlovic, Serbian Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection, the 6th Social Forum took place from 23 to 24 April in Belgrade, Serbia. The possible Outline of the Social Strategy stood at the top of the agenda. The other sessions tackled energy poverty and consumer protection, as well as, social dialogue. Particularly the definition of a “vulnerable customer” proved to be a pressing issue. To this end, the 3rd Energy Package requires a definition that reflects “national features”.

Energy Security in Ukraine

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Mr. Dirk Buschle, Deputy Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, today spoke at a Strategic Discussions Club organized by the Institute of World Policy, together with the Norwegian Embassy and NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine. In his intervention, Mr Buschle stressed the link between energy security through diversification, and domestic reforms: “The Energy Community Treaty provides a cutting-edge software for increasing the efficiency of energy sectors. Implementing it, creates reliability and transparency. This, in turn, lays an indispensible foundation for attracting investments, reaping the potential of integrated markets and diversifying supply.”

Energy Community takes first steps towards Interoperability and Data Exchange Network Code under the guidance of ENTSOG

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the Energy Community Secretariat hosted a ENTSO-G Workshop on Interoperability and Data Exchange Network Code. It was organized as a general public consultation event for all interested stakeholders in EU-27 and as a special presentation to Energy Community audience on the on-going work at the EU level. The implications and co-ordination of future tasks of the Energy Community TSOs and regulators stood at the center of the workshop. The development of the Network Code is a joint effort by the European Commission, ACER and ENTSOG and a response to the obligations arising from the 3rd Energy Package. It follows the logic - no common market without common market rules.

DIXI and the Secretariat discuss Ukraine’s implementation progress

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Ukrainian think tank and a NGO, "DiXi Group" presented its study on implementation of core EU energy legislation in Ukraine at the Secretariat on 15 April 2013. According to the "DiXi Group", in the last 2 years Ukraine has managed to fully implement only one of many obligations, namely security of supply statement. All the other reforms are not in place, either postponed or not fully meeting the EU requirements. As the Energy Community dynamically broadent its scope, adopting new goals and acquis, Ukraine falls behind, argues DIXI.

Secretariat pleased with Kosovo’s * preparatory work on National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP)

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As part of a study tour on renewable energy (RES) and energy efficiency in Austria, a delegation from Kosovo* paid today a visit at the Secretariat. The 5-day study tour was planned and co-ordinated by the Secretariat with the EU’s financial support and implementation by GIZ IS in Kosovo. In its presentations, the Secretariat stressed the foreseen tasks and deadlines under the prevailing renewable energy and energy efficiency acquis. It is pleased with Kosovo’s* forecasts on National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the work done towards implementing the energy efficiency savings Directive.

Secretariat recruits new Electricity Expert

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

To pursue further the work of the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) Section at the Secretariat, the Secretariat herewith seeks for qualified professional at the position of an Electricity Expert. Qualified professionals are invited to apply via e-mail to recruitment@energy-community.org, quoting the title of the post in the subject line no later than 6. June 2013 (date of e-mail).

Invitation to an Open Day on the candidates for Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs) in Belgrade, on 24 April 2013

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On 24 April 2013, the Energy Community Secretariat will organize an Open Day as part of the public consultation process on the candidate Projects of Energy Community Interest. The event, which is parallel to the on-going public consultation on the list of PECIs candidates, targets potential project promoters, as well as civil society and other stakeholders in the region. It aims to provide information on the process and the applied methodology for drawing up the list of PECIs, and to provide an opportunity for questions and answers.

REMINDER: Secretariat to host an ENTSOG Workshop on Network Code Interoperability

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Network Code on Interoperability and Data Exchange Rules is one of the codes which was developed by ENTSOG in order to implement the 3rd Internal Energy Package. With reference to Ministerial Council Decision from October 2011, the Energy Community Contracting Parties have the legal obligation to transpose the 3rd Energy Package by 2015. ENTSOG has opened a consultation process, as a part of development the network code on interoperability and data exchange rules. As part of the ongoing consultation process, the Energy Community Secretariat will host an ENTSOG workshop on 16 April 2013 at its premises in Vienna.

Timely transposition of the III Energy Package, Energy Efficiency and Emissions on the top of 28th PHLG’s Agenda

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the Secretariat reported to the 28th PHLG on the Parties transposition timelines received so far. The PHLG agreed to set up an Energy Efficiency Coordination Group and adopted its mandate as presented by the Secretariat. It also invited the Commission to submit a proposal on the needed adaptations to the Large Combustion Plants Directive.

Vienna Forum on European Energy Law convenes at the Secretariat

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday, 8 March 2013 the first Vienna Forum on European Energy Law was held at the premises of the Energy Community Secretariat. This conference is a joint initiative launched and organised with the Florence School of Regulation.

Secretariat opens the public consultation on potential Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI)

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Today marks the beginning of the public consultation period on potential Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI). The list of projects was compiled based on submissions from project promoters in the course of an open call for proposals, (7 November - 31 December 2012). The list will serve as a basis to identify the PECIs, and the input of this consultation shall also be used in the process. The consultation period will run from 05/03/2013 to 29/04/2013.

Final Report on the Energy Community Customer Switching Study now available on-line

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Enabling customers to switch their suppliers is a core prerequisite for a well-working liberalised market. Whilst functional in the EU, these procedures have not yet been established in the Energy Community context. To facilitate the process, the Energy Community contracted consultants to develop best practice recommendations for customers’ supplier switching for both electricity and gas markets. This study is now available on-line.

Secretariat reviews Georgia’s sustainable energy sector

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Secretariat’s three day mission in Georgia. The aim of the mission is to conduct an initial assessment of Georgia’s sustainable energy sector. “Georgia applied for full Energy Community membership in late January. Our legislation in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy is very advanced and stands at equal footing with that of the EU. It is an area where Georgia will have to work particularly hard. We, therefore, wish to assess the situation and start setting corrective steps as soon as possible”, stated Mr. Janez Kopac, the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.

Secretariat initiates a case on Ukrainian capacity allocation auction rules

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On 26 February 2013, the Energy Community Secretariat sent an Opening Letter to Ukraine in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Dispute Settlement. The Secretariat, takes the preliminary view that the Auction Rules adopted for the allocation of capacity on the country’s electricity interconnectors with its Western neighbours and Moldova, as well as their appliance in practice by the system operator, fails to respect relevant Energy Community rules. Ukraine has been given the possibility until 26 April 2013 to comply of its own accord with the requirements of the Treaty, or to justify its position.