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Independent director at Naftogaz resigns over opposition to reforms

US businessman and former diplomat Amos Hochstein has resigned as an independent director on the supervisory board of Ukrainian national gas company Naftogaz, complaining of opposition to reforms and of political interference

Belarus says it has postponed the full launch of the first reactor at its Ostrovets nuclear power plant by two years

Belarus has postponed the full launch of the first reactor at its Ostrovets (aka Astravets) nuclear power plant by two years until 2022.

Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of attempted cluster rocket attack on oil and gas pipelines

Yerevan calls Baku’s claim “outright lies”. Markets nervous successful strike could wreck plan to export Azerbaijani oil to European Union from November.

Turkey’s bid to join EU now further away from success than ever says Commission

In hard-hitting report, bloc’s executive slams Ankara’s treatment of economy, democracy and judiciary. Lira slips, partly also on reports that Turks are readying to test Russian missiles.

Lithuanian energy firm Ignitis announces guidance on IPO pricing at €22.5 per share

Are the Caucasus energy assets in danger from a war in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh is escalating. Are the numerous pipelines and oil and gas fields in danger of getting caught up in the fighting?

Poland to close coal mines by 2049, miners and government agree

Poland’s last two coal mines will cease operations in 2049, according to an agreement reached by the country’s powerful mining unions and the right-wing populist government.

Iran’s oil minister openly admits forging export documents to dodge US sanctions

Tanker tracking companies, meanwhile, see September surge in Iranian crude shipments with one describing “levels we haven’t seen in a year and a half”.

“Hiding its failures” has become “crucial” for Turkey’s Erdogan “autocracy” says Carnegie analyst

Polish miners escalate protests as restructuring talks with government stall

Warsaw has proposed that coal’s share in electricity generation will fall to 37-56% in 2030 and then to just 11-28% in 2040. Miners flatly reject the plan.

Iran says it flew drone over US carrier, releases 'surveillance photos’

Europe gains ground in new generation of battery innovation

Innovation in electric batteries is central to electromobility and the transition to the green economy, but European firms have so far lagged behind their peers from East Asia.

Lithuania's bullish Ignitis Grupe sets IPO price range valuing company at up to €2.1bn

State-run energy group has set a price range of €22.5-€28 for its shares and global depository receipts for the upcoming IPO in Vilnius and London.

Sberbank starts taking climate risk seriously

Russia’s Sberbank has set out its climate agenda, which aims to reduce the bank’s carbon footprint and put climate risk at the top of its investment strategy.

Turkey takes assertive role in Caucasus conflict

The shift is motivated in part by energy considerations and in part by nationalist politics.

Warmer climate to have positive impact on Czech economy says Deloitte study

Agriculture to suffer but other sectors would benefit, as temperatures in Czechia are set to continue rising faster than the global average.

EU’s relationship with Turkey has reached “watershed moment” says foreign policy chief Borrell

Remarks to European Parliament come as bloc moves towards possible imposition of sanctions on Ankara over east Mediterranean drilling rights dispute.

Poland’s mining unions threaten strikes over decarbonisation plans

Polish mines will go on strike unless a deal is reached over Poland’s path to reduce the use of coal in its power sector, the country’s powerful mining unions said on September 14.

Macron draws wrath of Erdogan after ‘attempt at driving wedge’ between Turkey’s people and leader

Turkish president tells French counterpart “not to mess” with his country, adding “you’re going to have more problems with me”.

Poland plans concerted effort to build national photovoltaic industry

Poland, which still produces over 70% of its electricity by burning climate-warming coal and lignite, has to build a cleaner energy mix in the coming decades.

UK Ascent Resources sues Slovenia over stalled fracking project

Uzbekistan’s Bukhara refinery buys in Honeywell technology to help meet government’s oil and fuel ambitions

Facility will produce cleaner-burning Euro 5 standard petrol and diesel. Mirziyoyev administration would like to see an end to fuel imports.

Poland pledges bold move away from coal

Poland — one of the most emissions-intensive economies in Europe —wants to reduce coal’s share in the country’s energy mix to 37-56% in 2030 from the current figure of over 70%.

Greece says it will talk to Turkey on East Med boundaries once Ankara stops its “provocations”

Climate change and the Russian economy

Russia has signed off on the Paris Accord this year and has joined the global fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it has only set itself modest targets and made modest progress.