Energy Community News-Feed

The 2nd Day of Montenegro focuses on the secondary legislation and on the country’s tasks as Presidency-in-Office

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Today the second Montenegrin Day took place at the premises of the Energy Community Secretariat. Mr. Vladimir KAVARIC, Minister of Economy of Montenegro was accompanied by his 3 Deputy Ministers and HE Mrs. Dragana RADULOVIC, Montenegrin Ambassador in Vienna. The delegation amounted to total of 17 persons and included Mr. Dragutin MARTINOVIC, President of the Board of RAE, Mr. Vladimir BOJICIC, Director of EPCG, Mr. Ljubo KNEZEVIC, CEO of CGES and Mr. Vojislav SRDANOVIC, Deputy Executive Director of COTEE. Montenegro’s work on a bundle of by laws and its priorities during its Presidency-in-Office were at the top of agenda.

Summary of the answers on Regional Energy Strategy public consultation now available

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With an aim to collect stakeholders' views on the issues to be included in the Energy Community Regional Strategy, the Secretariat organized a public consultation from 2 to 23 April 2012. All in all, it received 30 contributions. In line with its commitment to transparent and interactive policy, the Secretariat has now compiled the answers into a summary document. The summary provides an overview and general impression of the answers submitted.

The 3 Oil Workshop outlines the next steps for the Implementation of the Emergency Oil Stock Directive

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The key objective of the 3rd Oil Workshop was to outline the necessary steps for the extension of the Energy Community acquis with the oil stocks Directive 2009/119/EC. Thus, its aim was to give expert recommendations prior to the final endorsement and eventual adoption of this Directive by the respective Energy Community institutions. The 3rd Oil Workshop took place in Zagreb, 25-26 April 2012.

Study on Recommendations for Quality of Service now available on-line

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The study on Recommendations for Quality of Service Data Collection, Reporting and Auditing in the Energy Community, aims at the introduction and improvement of the quality of electricity service in the Energy Community Contracting Parties. Ideally, the national regulatory authorities would be in the position to ensure liberalization of the electricity market without any worsening of the quality of electricity service. To this end, the study provides recommendations for the quality of electricity service data collecting, reporting and auditing and the gradual development of the quality of service regulation.

New developments on the establishment of a Coordinated Auction Office Project Team Company

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

At their today’s meeting, the electricity transmission operators of the Energy Community reached a crucial milestone for the establishment of a Coordinated Auction Office in South East Europe (SEE CAO). The network operators of Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR of Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia and Kosovo* agreed on initiating the final steps for establishing a Project Team Company that will be responsible for developing the legal, technical and financial aspects for the start up of the SEE CAO within a year.

Secretariat receives 30 contributions on the Regional Energy Strategy public consultation

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

From 2 to 23 April 2012, the Energy Community Secretary invited interested stakeholders to comment on the six questions concerning the Regional Energy Strategy. The aim of the public consultation was to collect the views of concerned stakeholders about the main issues to be included in the Strategy. The contributions were submitted in 5 stakeholder categories, namely public authorities (9), industry (11), consultancies (3), NGO (4) and citizens (3).

Workshop on Social Dialogue calls for mutual learning and exchange of experience

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Social dialogue as a tool of better governance and management of change was the key topic of the workshop, which took place on the 20th of April in Vienna. The workshop was co-organized jointly by the European Commission and the Energy Community Secretariat. It centred on the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study on Social Dialogue in the Western Balkan Countries, commissioned by DG EMPL in 2009 and finalized by GVG in 2011.

First Day of Ukraine in the Energy Community

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday the first Day of Ukraine in the Energy Community took place at the Energy Community Secretariat. The aim of the event was to provide platform for discussion on the first outcomes of one year membership of Ukraine in the Energy Community and identify main further steps in light of the Treaty implementation. Led by Prof. Dr. Natalia Boytsun, Director for European Integration and International Relations in the Ministry of the Energy and Coal Industry, the Ukrainian delegation consisted of 24 decision makers representing the Energy and Foreign ministries, the Cabinet of the Ministers, as well as of representatives of the President of the country H.E. Victor Yanukovich. H.E. Ihor Prokopchuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, as well as representatives of the European Commission attended also the meeting. The delegation, additionally, included officials of the NAK «Naftogaz of Ukraine», SC «Ukrtransgas», NEK «Ukrenergo», AIM and DTEK.

Secretariat talks with the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Today, 17. April 2012, Ms. Tamara Babayan, Director of Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund paid a visit at the Energy Community Secretariat. Established via a World Bank loan in early 2006, the Fund enjoys good reputation beyond its borders. The aim of the visit was to exchange information and to consider possibilities for future cooperation between Armenia and the Energy Community stakeholders on the ground of the available best practice.

WBIF reports about its energy projects in a newly published 2011 Annual Report

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) published its Annual Report. The report not only highlights the growing number of regional investment projects under development in the Western Balkans, but also indicates the level of needed investment in the region. The WBIF project pipeline currently comprises a potential total of €10 billion worth of investments. All in all, the WBIF has approved the total of 31 grants in the energy sector.

Secretariat recruits an Intern for the Energy Community Regulatory Board Section

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Secretariat herewith announces an internship in the Energy Community Regulatory Board Section for (mid) August – (mid) December 2012. The intern will gain first hand exposure of Energy Community activities in the coordination of ECRB activities and public relations.University graduates are invited to apply via e-mail to recruitment@energy-community.org, quoting the title of the post in the subject line, not later than 27 April 2012, 5 pm.

Energy Community launches a public consultation on regional energy strategy

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The 9th Ministerial Council established a Task Force and mandated it to develop a Regional Energy Strategy. The Strategy will take stock of where the region currently stands and where it is heading in the next decade. As an outcome, there will be a list of regional objectives and the main actions that are required to reach them, as well as a regional energy demand trend analysis. The aim of the public consultation is to collect the views of interested stakeholders about the main issues to be included in the Strategy. As of today, 2 April 2012, the Energy Community Secretariat invites the stakeholders to comment on the six questions raised in the Consultation paper.

Energy Community Regulatory Board Elects New President

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Energy Community Regulatory Board at its 19th meeting on 28 March 2012 elected Mr. Shkelqim Bozgo as new ECRB President. President Bozgo, Commissioner at the Albanian Energy Regulatory Authority, assumes office as of 29 March 2012 for a (renewable) one year term. “I am delighted by the confidence of my ECRB colleagues”, the newly designated ECRB President stated and expressed his understanding for the core role of the ECRB in the Energy Community process: “the small size of the Energy Community Contracting Parties requires a regional approach, if we want to successfully attract investments. The ECRB provides a tailor made platform for regulators harmonizing their rules and decisions across borders and developing common best practice solutions”.

Secretariat returns from its first official visit in Armenia

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

On 28 and 29 March, the Secretariat’s paid its first official visit to Armenia. Following the Ministerial Council decision, Armenia holds an Observer status in the Energy Community since October 2011. During his visit, Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the Secretariat, was welcomed by H.E. Mr. Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Secretariat on a mission in Moldova

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

An expert team of the Energy Community Secretariat today visits the Ministry of Economy of Moldova to discuss the restructuring of the electricity sector in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Community acquis as well as draft amendments to the 2009 Electricity Law. The Secretariat’s experts will also monitor the progress achieved during 2011 in implementing the electricity acquis. The findings will be used for the Secretariat’s 2012 Implementation Report.

Study on Smart Meters Rollout in the Energy Community now available

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As a reaction to the adoption of the Third Internal Energy Package, the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) contracted KEMA International B.V. to conduct a study on smart metering roll out in 2011. The aim of this project was to develop a set of best practice recommendations for rolling-out smart metering in the Energy Community (EnC), taking into account recent experience from the European Union as well as the specifics of Energy Community Contracting Parties. The study has just been released and is now available on-line.

Italian Regulator visits the Secretariat

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A delegation lead by Mr. Alberto Biancardi, Commissioner of the Italian regulatory authority, visited the Secretariat on 19 March 2012. The Region’s key challenges ahead, in particular, in implementing the third internal energy package, realization of infrastructure projects and the Coordinated Action Office (CAO) as well as the elements of regional energy strategy were the catch words of the meeting.

Energy Community Study to boost Energy Performance of Buildings now available

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The final report of the “Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community” is now available on-line. The overall objective of the Study is to support governments in their efforts to meet their commitments under the Energy Community Treaty. To this end, the study call for the efficient use of energy in buildings, as well as the implementation of the NEEAPs with respect to buildings sector.

INOGATE and the Energy Community Secretariats define areas of cooperation

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A delegation representing the new INOGATE Secretariat, lead by Ms. Simone Rave, from the European Commission DG EuropeAid, paid yesterday a visit to the Secretariat. The INOGATE programme has recently undergone some restructuring. Operating on the basis of the Astana Declaration, INOGATE stands for a long term, permanent technical assistance programme. The changes now put the INOGATE Secretariat and the technical assistance under one roof. The INOGATE programme has been extended to new areas, such as statistics. The technical Secretariat in Kiev is supported by a network of regional office managers and country experts.

European Commission opens the recruitment of the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the European Commission published a Call for Expression of Interest for the Position of Director of the Energy Community Secretariat on its website. The Director will be appointed as staff of the Energy Community for a three-year period, which may be renewed. Applications should be sent by e-mail to: ENER-ECS-DIRECTOR@ec.europa.eu no later than 19th March 2012 (date of e-mail).