Albania freezes new hydropower projects on environmental concerns
Albanian Energy and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku has said she will freeze work on new hydropower plants (HPPs) and launch an investigation into 182 licenses issued to build 440 HPPs. The announcement follows a meeting with residents of Gramsh, who are protesting against the construction of two HPPs on the Devoll river. The plants are […]
Draft Law on Energy unveiled, energy cooperatives to be introduced
The Ministry of Infrastructure has published a Draft Law on Energy to change some provisions of the existing law and introduce certain new solutions, including the establishment of the energy cooperatives. The draft will be up for public consultation until February 21. The draft is in line with EU directives, as well as Guidelines on State […]
EU said to be considering carbon tax for Western Balkans
The EU is said to be considering the introduction of a carbon tax for the countries of the Western Balkans, David Žarković, head of open market trade at public power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has said, adding that this could be lead to a major electricity price hike. All those who emit CO2 in the EU […]
Greece discussing microgrids, energy storage systems with Tesla
U.S. automotive and energy company Tesla, Inc.’s executives have met with Greek Minister of the Environment and Energy Giorgos Stathakis to discuss possible cooperation on modernizing Greek islands’ power grids as part of a strategy to reduce the use of fossil fuels in favor of renewables. The cooperation would involve microgrids connected to energy storage […]
Serbia planned to own 51%, Republika Srpska 49% of HPPs Foča, Paunci in 1st phase
Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS), the power utility of Republika Srpska (RS), an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), will set up a concession company shortly to enter into contractual relations with Serbia’s public power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) with the aim of the RS and Serbia building the Foča and Paunci hydropower plants (HPP), said […]
Electrica appoints Georgeta Corina Popescu as new CEO
The Board of Directors of Romanian power distribution and supply company Electrica has decided to appoint Georgeta Corina Popescu as new CEO, for a four-year term. She was interim CEO of Electrica from November 1, 2018, after former CEO Dan Catalin Stancu resigned. “The Romanian energy market is undergoing a profound transformation period, and for […]
Cyprus completes draft NECP, Greece to focus on fighting energy poverty
Cyprus, one of seven EU member states that have failed to submit their draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) until 2030 to the European Commission by the December 31, 2018 deadline, has completed the draft, according to Cypriot English-language news outlets. Cyprus’ draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which the country plans to […]
KESH gets new CEO as sacking continues in Albanian state-owned power sector
Former chief of the Albanian Development Fund (ADF) Benet Beci has been appointed as new general manager of public power utility KESH, after Agron Hetoja was relieved of duty, local media reported. This is the second major change in leadership of the state-owned power utilities following the appointment of the Belinda Balluku as new infrastructure and […]