Free Top Stories

Albania’s net electricity production plunges 39.1% in 2019

5 March 2020

Albania is almost entirely dependent on hydropower for its electricity, and thus the amount of power produced can vary widely from one season to another depending on the weather.

Ukraine’s government slammed for proposed changes to green energy rules

3 March 2020

Foreign investors are up in arms following the release of the Ukrainian government’s proposed changes to the generous green energy tariffs introduced by former president Petro Poroshenko.

Ukraine court blocks government's attempt to change power generation major's managers

3 March 2020

A court in Ukraine court has ruled to prohibit the State Property Fund (SPF) that owns 78.3% of the shares of power generator Centrenergo from dismissing any member of its management board, in move believed to be organised by oligarch Kolomoisky

Environmental groups say Bulgarian coal power stations illegally burning waste

2 March 2020

Lawyers and environmental NGOs say three plants are burning waste at amounts that are 10,000 times above those allowed by the EU.

Ukraine appoints new top management of power generation major Centrenergo, Kolomoisky physically bars them from office

28 February 2020

The Ukrainian government has appointed a new top manager for power generation company Centrenergo but protestors reportedly connected to oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky barred their entry to the company's offices.

More upside potential still possible for Russian utility names despite strong rally this year

26 February 2020

Following the rally in Russian utility universe, putting the sector ahead of every other Russian equity segment in year-to-date terms for 2020, VTB Capital sees more place for upside for certain names coming from expected profitability gains.

Russia's leading petrochemical plant Sibur saw revenues down in 2019, but profits up and plans on track for long term growth

25 February 2020

Russia’s leading petrochemical producer won’t hold its highly anticipated IPO this year, or even next year, but despite tough market conditions this year the outlook for the company remains bright

US promises up to $1bn in energy infrastructure financing for Three Seas Initiative

18 February 2020

The financing will go primarily to strengthen energy security across the initiative’s countries, which consider it necessary to end, or at least reduce, dependence on Russia as an energy supplier.

Dutch court reinstates order for Russia to pay $50bn to Yukos shareholders

18 February 2020

A Dutch appeals court has ordered the Russian government to fork out $50bn to former shareholders of defunct Russian oil giant Yukos, marking another twist in a more than decade-old legal battle.

Romania ready to develop new nuclear reactor without foreign partners

18 February 2020

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced last month that Bucharest will scrap its deal with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to expand the Cernavoda nuclear power plant.

Naftogaz in talks with investment banks over possible IPO

17 February 2020

Ukraine’s national gas company Naftogaz has held talks with international investment banks and potential investors about the prospects for an IPO, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said on February 17.

Belarus president threatens to take transit oil from Russia-EU pipeline amid dispute with Moscow

17 February 2020

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pledged to siphon off Russia's transit oil from the Russia-EU oil pipeline Druzhba, if Moscow fails to supply the "necessary volume" of oil in February.

Russia’s utility sector set to rally in 2020 as reforms progress

15 February 2020

After a very strong rally Russia’s stock markets have been hit by fears of a global coronavirus epidemic and collapsing oil price. The market has given up all its gains, but not so the utilities sector which is up 16% YTD.

Istanbul-listed refiner Tupras’ shares fall 2% as BlackRock shifts positions

7 February 2020

Traders, meanwhile, treating Turkish Airlines shares as lira funding source by shorting them, following introduction of short-selling bans on most active banking stocks.

Afghanistan launches works on Central Asia-led CASA-1000 power transmission project

7 February 2020

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani on February 6 announced the official launch of works on the Afghan stretch of the Tajik and Kyrgyz-led CASA-1000 electricity transmission project, Afghanistan’s TOLOnews reported.

Iran exporting million barrels of oil a day tracking firm data indicates

5 February 2020

Figure from satellite-based Tankertrackers.com far higher than volumes suggested by other analytical companies. Tehran may fear surge in Chinese purchases may be a precursor to winding down of imports under US pressure.

Work on Afghan stretch of Turkmenistan to India gas pipeline faces additional 6-month delay

28 January 2020

TAPI project, also to traverse Pakistan, is going nowhere fast. Claims that Turkmen section is complete seen as highly dubious.

INTERVIEW: Ukraine gas tariffs stay low, energy sector outlook improves

22 January 2020

After signing off on a new gas transit deal in the last days of last year, Ukrainian authorities backed off their threat to more than triple gas tariffs for domestic producers in an effort to keep the pipeline system from going bankrupt.

Romania to scrap deal with Chinese partner to expand Cernavoda nuclear power plant

21 January 2020

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban cited the EU's new Green Deal rather than security issues or cost concerns circulated previously as the main reason behind a potential end of the deal with CGN.