Press Release: Ministers put the Energy Community well on track for the next two years
On 18 December 2007 the third Ministerial Council meeting in the context of the Energy Community took place in Belgrade, Serbia. “Today’s discussions are a clear proof of the deepening of the process. We no longer debate about what or when, but rather on how. How can we enforce the process in the most efficient way? It is on this note that issues like cross-border trade, investments, social dimension and energy efficiency are of increasing significance,” stated Minister Aleksandar Popović, who chaired the meeting as Presidency in Office.
Press Invitation: Third Ministerial Council Meets in Belgrade
Tuesday, 18 December 2007 will mark the third Ministerial Council meeting in the context of the Energy Community. Energy ministers from the Contracting Parties, including the European Commission, ministers and senior level representatives from numerous EU and Observer countries will follow the cordial invitation of Minister Aleksandar Popovic, the Serbian Presidency in Office.
Government of Albania approves the new Albanian Market Model
The approval of the Albanian Market Model marks an important step towards the consolidation and steady development of the Albanian Electric Power Market.
Energy Community Secretariat issues a new report on the implementation of Regulation 1228/2003/EC
At its 3rd meeting in June 2007, the ECRB appointed the Energy Community Secretariat to execute a report assessing the extent to which the Contracting Parties comply with the obligations of the Regulation 1228/2003/EC. The Regulation 1228/2003/EC “aims at setting fair rules for cross-border exchanges in electricity, thus enhancing competition within the internal electricity market, taking into account the specificities of national and regional markets”.
Event Announcement: 15-16 November marks the Commencement of the 11th Athens Forum
The Directorate General for Transport and Energy of the European Commission (DG TREN) and Energy Community Secretariat are pleased to announce the 11th Athens Forum on the 15-16 November 2007 in Athens. Building on the work of the previous Fora, the 11th Athens Forum will address the most pressing issues of the Energy Community process. These include legal and regulatory framework, regional electricity market and security of supply in South Eastern Europe.
Press Release: Maribor convenes the first Gas Forum in the context of the Energy Community, Several South East European Gas Projects in the Pipeline
Friday, the 9 November 2007 marked the commencement of the first Gas Forum in the context of Energy Community. The Forum brought together high level gas sector representatives, including European Commission Directorate General for Transport and Energy, regulators and associations of the gas industry like EUROGAS, GIE, OGP, EFET. Also donors and international financial institutions active in the South East Europe were present. The first official Gas Forum was jointly organised by Slovenian Energy Agency and the Energy Community Secretariat in co-operation with the European Commission.
South East Europe Gasification Study - Draft Final Report now available on-line
The overall objective of the study is to identify regional, cross-border and country-specific gas infrastructure projects that are economically, financially and technically sound. The study also analyses, and makes proposals for, the institutional and policy issues relating to funding and implementing gas infrastructure projects.
Joint USAID and Alliance Study on “Urban Heating Reform in Europe and Eurasia: Experiences and Future Agenda”
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Alliance to Save Energy (the Alliance) have undertaken an assessment of the experiences with urban heating in the Europe & Eurasia (E&E) region. The assessment is a reference document for USAID and other donors and IFIs for understanding key issues related to urban heating in order to inform their respective donor/lending strategies. The focus of the study is on urban heating, both district heat and decentralized systems.
Hrvoje Pozar’s Report on the Implementation of the Acquis on Renewables in the Energy Community Contracting Parties now on-line!
Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar from Zagreb was assigned by the Energy Community Secretariat to research the implementation of the Acquis on Renewables in the Contracting Parties. Hrvoje Pozar commenced its research work in May 2007. Following a presentation of the findings last week, the report on renewable energy sources is now available on-line.
Press Release: First Energy Community Conference on Social Issues
On 18 October 2007 the first Conference on social issues within the process of the Energy Community took place in Vienna. The aim of the conference was to draw more attention to the social dimension in the context of South East European energy policy. The Social Conference brought together high level energy and social policy officials from Contracting Parties, Observers and Participants to the Treaty establishing the Energy Community.
EU Coordinator Caspian Sea Middle East – EU Gas Route visits the Energy Community Secretariat
Mr Jozias Van Aartsen, who is the EU Coordinator of Caspian Sea Middle East – EU Gas Route and NABUCCO project coordinator visited the Energy Community Secretariat yesterday. He was accompanied by Mr. Brendan Devlin and Ms Kitti Nyitrai from DG TREN of the European Commission.
Ministerial Declaration on Ionian-Adriatic Gas Pipeline Project
On the 25. September 2007 Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy of the Republic of Albania, Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Croatia and Minister for Economic Development of the Republic of Montenegro signed a declaration, recording their political intent to support preparation and implementation of the Ionian – Adriatic gas pipeline project.
Press Release: The Energy Community organises the first conference to attract investment in the Balkans
Energy Ministers from Contracting Parties and Observers to the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community met today in Athens with investors and International Financing Institutions to find ways to promote investment in energy infrastructures in the region. This marked the first Investment Conference after the entry into force of the Treaty in July 2006. The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Andris Piebalgs, EU Energy Commissioner, and by Mr. Aleksandar Popović, Minister of Mining and Energy of Republic of Serbia, representing the Presidency of the Energy Community, and hosted by Mr. Christos Folias, Minister for Development of the Hellenic Republic. It brought together close to 200 senior level energy policy decision makers and investors.
Event Announcement: Energy Community Investment Conference, Athens
High level energy officials from Contracting Parties and Observers to the Treaty establishing the Energy Community will meet with investors and International Financing Institutions in Athens, Greece on 28 September 2007. A press conference will be held on 28 September at 10:45 at the premises of Hotel Divani Caravel.
