Flexibility will be a key word for gas markets in 2021
In spite of an expected gradual recovery in 2021, the COVID-19 crisis will have long-lasting impacts on natural gas markets. Market players have to adjust their strategies to a highly volatile environment and the repercussions of the pandemic could trigger fundamental changes.
ENTSOG and GIE publish new System Development map illustrating existing and planned gas infrastructure
ENTSOG, in cooperation with GIE, have published the ninth edition of the System Development map, which illustrates existing and planned gas infrastructure and gas capacities.
NOVATEK signs MoU with NLMK Group to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
NOVATEK signed an MoU with NLMK Group, to cooperate in carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions and hydrogen production technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Moldova to improve the process of natural gas transportation from and to Ukraine
Moldova will improve the process of natural gas transportation from and to Ukraine starting January 2021. The backhaul will cover 50% of the available capacity of the main pipelines, important not only for the region but also for Moldova.
Power-to-Gas technology for the integration of Hungary’s electricity and natural gas sectors
With the help of the Power-to-Gas technology, electricity is converted in several steps into gaseous fuels, mostly using electrolysis and chemical, biological processes. It is simpler and more economical.
The internal electricity market will play an important role in achieving the green transition
Internal electricity markets play a key role in implementing the green transition. Transmission system operators must work together to strengthen regional operational safety coordination.
Romanian households can pay less for electricity from this year after market liberalisation
Romania's electricity market was fully liberalised from the beginning of this year. Therefore, the supply prices to household customers are no longer set by the National Energy Regulatory Authority and electricity will be cheaper.
New Estonia-Latvia interconnection starts operations
All construction works of the Estonia-Latvia third 330 kV interconnection has been completed and the newly built 330 kV electricity transmission line from Estonia to Riga CHP-2 in Latvia has been put into operation.
Innogy signs an agreement with Czech Ministry of Industry to introduce new energy-saving measures
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Innogy has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to improve the country’s energy efficiency and introduce energy-saving measures. Thus, the country is aligning with the EU Directive that obliges countries to save 0.8% of their yearly energy consumption by 2030.
Romanian Restart Energy announces 500 MW of green projects in a joint venture with US-based Interlink
Restart Energy entered into a joint venture with Washington-based Interlink Capital Strategies to develop 500 million US dollars in green energy in Romania and neighbouring countries.
DTEK creates hub in London to attract investment in new energy projects in Ukraine
DTEK is amplifying its presence in London to create an ecosystem to attract investments and innovative technologies in new Ukrainian energy projects.
EBRD to support energy-efficient residential buildings in North Macedonia
The EBRD is providing a one-million-euro loan to North Macedonia to support residential home-owners to make their buildings more energy-efficient and build a greener and more sustainable economy.
EU launches consultation for legally binding EU nature restoration targets
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The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the development of legally binding EU nature restoration targets. Restoring Europe’s damaged ecosystems will help to increase biodiversity, mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Member States must reduce air pollution to bring more benefits than costs to society
The number of premature deaths due to air pollution could be reduced by around 55% in 2030 if Member States implemented all measures agreed under the existing EU legislation regulating sources of air pollution and limiting climate change.
Proposed revision of TEN-E policy heats up debates over the future role of gas infrastructure
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to revise the TEN-E Regulation to align it with the objectives of the Green Deal. However, continued eligibility of gas projects for funding under the new rules sparks concern.
EU legislation on batteries to achieve a sustainable, circular and climate neutral economy
Based on the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission proposed to modernise the current legislation on batteries, so that to contribute to achieving the zero-pollution target included in the Green Deal.
World leaders urge more ambition on biodiversity protection at One Planet Summit
Biodiversity represents the natural capital of the world, yet we are bringing irreversible damage to ecosystems. Heads of State and government, leaders of international organisations came together at the One Planet Summit to discuss how to reverse this negative trend.
UN to build a global coalition for carbon neutrality by the middle of the century
For António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, the global response to the climate emergency has been utterly inadequate. We need meaningful cuts now, to reduce global emissions by 45% by 2030.
IEA to produce the world’s first comprehensive roadmap to net-zero emissions
The IEA announced that it will produce the world’s first comprehensive roadmap for the energy sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The report is part of a series of new IEA projects to reach global energy and climate goals.
EU launches consultation for legally binding EU nature restoration targets
The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the development of legally binding EU nature restoration targets. Restoring Europe’s damaged ecosystems will help to increase biodiversity, mitigate and adapt to climate change.
DTEK creates hub in London to attract investment in new energy projects in Ukraine
DTEK is amplifying its presence in London to create an ecosystem to attract investments and innovative technologies in new Ukrainian energy projects.
Power-to-Gas technology for the integration of Hungary’s electricity and natural gas sectors
With the help of the Power-to-Gas technology, electricity is converted in several steps into gaseous fuels, mostly using electrolysis and chemical, biological processes. It is simpler and more economical.
Ramboll’s True Digital Twin technology has the potential to increase lifetime of offshore wind farms
A pilot-test of Ramboll’s True Digital Twin technology at the Wikinger offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, has revealed a significant analytical potential to increase the lifetime of offshore wind.
5 energy issues to watch in CEE in 2021
While the most used words in 2020 were pandemic and coronavirus, the main driver of 2021 will be recovery. After summarising the most important events of last year in CEE, let's have a look at what to expect from the year that has just started.
Poland’s chance to become the leading regional player on offshore wind
Poland has adopted the Offshore Wind Act. A historic day for a country that as of today has no offshore wind capacity installed. The first wind farms will appear in 2024 and in 20 years from 8 to 11 GW of offshore wind power capacity will be installed.
Azerbaijan signs MoU for a 240-MW wind power plant
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy signed a series of agreements with Azerenergy and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power to build a 240-MW wind power plant. Azerbaijan has an ambitious target to increase the share of RES to 30% by 2030.
Boosting offshore wind in CEE: CEEP presents main potential and challenges
CEEP analyses the current state of affairs of offshore wind in the region, including aspects of offshore wind development potential, existing political and legal frameworks and challenges.
The largest solar power plant of Central and Eastern Europe is to be built Poland
Construction of the largest solar power plant in Central and Eastern Europe will start soon in Pomerania, announced Respect Energy. Over the next 30 years, the plant could contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes.
Bulgaria joins the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
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Bulgaria became the newest member of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Its membership will enrich the NEA’s work in areas such as nuclear safety and regulation, decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
Slovenia to restart Krško NPP shut down after deadly earthquake in Croatia
The Krško NPP automatically shut down following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Croatia, on 29 December. Preventive inspections showed that the safety systems had operated as expected.
Low-carbon electricity is becoming cost competitive
The levelised costs of electricity generation of low-carbon generation technologies are falling and are increasingly below the costs of conventional fossil fuel generation, according to the OECD NEA and the IEA.
New blocks of the Hungarian Paks NPP receive construction permit from regulator
The Hungarian Energy and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority issued the construction permit for the Paks II nuclear power plant which will play a key role in the country’s carbon-free energy production.
The Hydrogen Council welcomes new members to accelerate the energy transition
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As the hydrogen industry worldwide is ramping up efforts for the next stage in the development of the global hydrogen economy, the Hydrogen Council has welcomed seventeen new members.
Lithuania’s gas TSO joins the Hydrogen Energy Association
In order to accelerate the use of hydrogen in the energy sector, the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator Amber Grid has joined the Lithuanian Hydrogen Energy Association.
Plinacro and HEP to cooperate for hydrogen production and transportation projects
Plinacro and HEP signed an agreement on developing projects for hydrogen production and transportation. They will also focus on removing legislative and regulatory barriers to create harmonised standards for the hydrogen market in Croatia.
A new push for the development of the European hydrogen economy
22 EU Member States signed the Manifesto for the development of a European Hydrogen Technologies and Systems value chain. Countries from CEE are also on board, however, according to 5 Member States, the text is not clear.
MAN Truck & Bus Slovenia partners with Petrol to develop sustainable logistics transport
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MAN Truck & Bus Slovenia has signed a letter of intent with Petrol for the development of sustainable logistics and urban transport, to help achieve the goal of reducing CO2 emissions in urban centres.
More e-buses can come to Hungarian cities supporting a clean shift in mobility
Hungary launched the first round of the call for proposals of its Green Bus Programme, supporting the procurement of modern, sustainable and environment-friendly public transportation.
H2Accelerate: mass-market roll-out of hydrogen trucks in Europe
For an ambitious goal of a mass-market roll-out of hydrogen trucks in Europe, Daimler Truck, IVECO, OMV, Shell and Volvo Group teamed up to work together with a project called H2Accelerate (H2A).
Europe’s truck manufacturers conclude that by 2040 all new trucks need to be fossil free
In an unprecedented science-backed statement, Europe’s truck manufacturers have concluded that by 2040 all new trucks sold need to be fossil free in order to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050.
Dora Zombori appointed Hungary’s Ambassador-at-Large for Energy and Climate
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As of 1 January 2021, Dora Zombori serves as Ambassador-at-Large for Energy and Climate at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Daiva Garbaliauskaitė appointed Lithuania’s Deputy Minister of energy
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Daiva Garbaliauskaitė has joined the political team of Lithuania’s Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivis as Deputy Minister and she will be responsible for the development of renewable energy.
Gas storage to play a key role in the future energy industry – interview with MFGT CEO Ákos Kriston
Ákos Kriston, CEO of Hungary’s Gas Storage (MFGT) speaks about the company’s decarbonisation’s efforts, including the deployment of hydrogen technologies and the important role of gas storage in the future energy industry.
On the road to making Europe climate neutral – interview with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson speaks about the strategies adopted by the EU and the role played by alternative fuels and renewables to increase countries’ energy diversification while decreasing their energy dependence.
How to evaluate pipeline gas versus LNG
Dr Erich Jurdik, Deputy CEO of construction of TurkStream writes about the importance of GHG emissions reduction targets when evaluating a natural gas supplier and the difference with LNG supply is striking.
Hungary’s big green public transport overhaul
Veronika Erős, head of the Green Bus Project Office in Hungary writes about how to make public transport more climate-friendly, making our citizens and the environment the ultimate winner.
A hundred efficient solutions to reverse global warming
Not only one book, but a hundred efficient solutions to stop the climate catastrophe. The New York Times bestseller edited by Paul Hawken, Drawdown, offers many ways to save our planet. And avoiding food waste is only one of them.
Can you afford to heat your home?
According to Eurostat, 6.9% of the EU population, more than 30 million people cannot afford to heat their homes. Energy poverty is still a widespread problem and national schemes should address the essence of the problem by reducing energy costs, improving thermal comfort and better indoor air quality.
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