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Czech senator refers CEZ' sale of Varna TPP to Bulgaria’s prosecution
Lukas Wagenknecht has asked the prosecution in Bulgaria to probe the deal due to suspicions that it was intentionally closed at a price that was not beneficial for state-owned CEZ.
Mystery buyer snaps up 3.6% of Gazprom with discount in second SPO this year
Russian natural gas giant Gazprom sold 3.59% of its quasi-treasury shares at RUB220.7 per share, making a sizable 13% discount to market. Notably, the buyer of the stake is not disclosed, making it the second mystery SPO this year in Russia's largest
Russian Rosatom nuclear agency eyes maritime shipping market
Russian state nuclear power agency Rosatom is planning a massive expansion in the maritime shipping market with an investment of up to $7bn
Putin says humanity will end up in caves if it abandons hydrocarbons
If humanity completely abandons hydrocarbons in the energy sector it will “end up in caves”, Russian President Vladimir Putin told delegates at the VTB Russia Calling investment summit.
BOOK REVIEW: Why Germany’s commercial interests prevail in its dealings with big, bad Gazprom
There is an enigma as to why German political and public opinion is in favour of the Kremlin’s controversial Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. "The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe" by Thane Gustafson tries to solve the riddle.
Hungary’s Opus in talks to sell coal-fuelled power plant Matrai Eromu
Matrai Eromu has incurred losses due to rising carbon prices, and its future is in danger as a result of tighter rules on carbon-powered plants in the EU.
Romgaz confirms talks to take over stake in Neptun Deep from Exxon
Poland says key decisions on nuclear power plant just months ahead
The ruling PiS heralded the construction of up to six nuclear reactors by the 2040s in a move to reduce the dependence of the Polish economy on coal, which currently dominates in the national energy mix.
Slovak ministry to subsidise the purchase of electric cars
The Slovakian Ministry of Economy has announced a subsidy scheme to promote the purchase of electric vehicles and increase their number on Slovakian roads next year.
Montenegro launches undersea power link to Italy
First "electrical bridge" from Western Balkans to the rest of Europe is expected to generate export revenues for Montenegro and its neighbours as they step up investment into renewable energy.
Gazprom extends its lead in the King of the castle race
State-owned gas company Gazprom extended its lead over rival state-owned banking giant Sberbank in the race to be Russia’s most valuable company, after its market capitalisation stepped up by over $10bn in November to make the company worth $93bn.
Energy Community says Bosnia, Serbia, Ukraine unlikely to meet 2020 renewables targets
Czech CEZ’s Turkey-listed JV restructures $854mn loan with Yapi Kredi Bank
Markets, meanwhile, draw breath as Erdogan prepares for November 13 White House meeting with Trump. Betting is that the two strongmen will reach an accommodation.
Montenegro's WVC to build 100 MW kinetic power plant
Montenegro has substantial hydropower capacity but is looking to develop other forms of alternative energy.
Germany fails to protect Nord Stream 2 from EU gas laws
Germany’s Bundestag parliament has failed to pass a bill that would have helped shield the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project from recent amendments to the EU’s gas directive.
Iraq imports 7 GW of electricity from Iran ‘to make up shortfall between production and demand’
Georgia’s Bitcoin mining “sucking its power grid dry”
Grey economy businesses “patronised by high-ranking officials” have set up in Svaneti region where locals receive free electricity because of the degree of hardship.
Ukraine's natural gas monopoly raises $500mn via new Eurobond placement
Ukraine's natural gas monopoly Naftogaz has raised $500mn via a seven-year Eurobond, the company said in a statement on November 5.
Hungary's MOL buys into Azerbaijan's top oil project
Azerbaijani gas ‘won’t flow to EU terminus until at least October 2020’
Delays reportedly caused in construction of final stretch of 3,400-km Southern Gas Corridor that is to make landfall in Italy.
Vostok Oil is the new kid on Russia’s energy block
Vostok Oil is a joint venture set up to explore and exploit the oil resources of the Arctic, and the Kremlin has started to throw significant resources at the company as Russia’s existing oil fields reach peak production.
Denmark greenlights Nord Stream 2 construction in its waters
After months of bitter wrangling, the government of Denmark gave the go-head for Russia’s Gazprom to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline through its territorial waters – the last country on the route between Russia and Germany to grant construction perm
Moscow’s new African initiatives
Russian companies and African states signed a number of new memoranda last week at the first Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi
Latest Russia-Ukraine gas talks fail to yield breakthrough
Officials from Russia, Ukraine and the EU met again on October 28in Brussels to discuss terms for the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine next year, with still no breakthrough in negotiations in sight.
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