Free Top Stories

Czech senator refers CEZ' sale of Varna TPP to Bulgaria’s prosecution

24 November 2019

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

22 November 2019

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

22 November 2019

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

21 November 2019

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

21 November 2019

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

20 November 2019

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.

Poland says key decisions on nuclear power plant just months ahead

19 November 2019

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

19 November 2019

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

17 November 2019

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

16 November 2019

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.

Czech CEZ’s Turkey-listed JV restructures $854mn loan with Yapi Kredi Bank

12 November 2019

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

11 November 2019

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

11 November 2019

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.

Georgia’s Bitcoin mining “sucking its power grid dry”

6 November 2019

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

5 November 2019

Ukraine's natural gas monopoly Naftogaz has raised $500mn via a seven-year Eurobond, the company said in a statement on November 5.

Azerbaijani gas ‘won’t flow to EU terminus until at least October 2020’

1 November 2019

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

31 October 2019

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

31 October 2019

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

30 October 2019

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

29 October 2019

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.