Serbian Vucic thanks Putin over natural gas supplies
On Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic thanked Russian president Vladimir Putin for helping to secure enough natural gas supplies for his country's winter. A three-year contract for gas supply between Russia and Serbia expires on March 20, 2025. Vucic, Putin’s closest European ally, explained that the phone call was the first in nearly two-and-a-half years. It marked the 80th Anniversary of Belgrade’s Liberation from Fascism, and also discussed bilateral issues.
Putin and Serbian deputy PM discuss gas contract
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said that he planned to discuss with Serbian Vice Prime Minister Aleksandar Volin a contract for gas supply that will expire in March 2025. Putin and Vulin met at the Eastern Economic Forum, in Russia's far-eastern port of Vladivostok. Serbia, which NATO bombed during the war in Kosovo in 1999, has historical close ties with Russia, but also aspirations to join the EU.
Turkey Sets Import Tax on Thermal Coal
Turkey imposed a tax this week on imports of thermal coal from Colombia, Russia and other major exporters, for use in power generation, to support domestic coal production. The Turkish cabinet decided to impose the tax of $15/tonne on imports from the United States, Colombia, Russia and South Africa on July 18 and announced it in the Official Gazette this week. The tax hits the biggest exporters of thermal coal but does not apply to imports from the European Union…
ContourGlobal Could Start Building Kosovo Power Plant in 2016
ContourGlobal could start building a coal-fired power plant in Kosovo in 18 months, in the first major investment in the country's energy sector in decades aimed at curbing power shortages and creating jobs, an official at the U.S. power company said. The cost of the project is estimated at up to 1.4 billion euros ($1.60 billion), with a third to be financed by ContourGlobal and the remainder via loans.
Balkans Face Need to Increase Power Imports
An over-reliance on coal and scant progress in diversifying energy sources will force Balkan nations to increase power imports in 2014 to keep the lights on this winter and drag down their struggling economies, traders and experts say. Recent floods in Serbia and a blast in June at Kosovo's second biggest power plant have sent the countries scrambling to find emergency electricity imports and underlined how easily fragile power sectors in the region can be de-stabilised.
Two Killed In Kosovo Power Plant Blast, Supplies Hit
A hydrogen tank exploded at Kosovo's second biggest power plant on Friday, killing two people and injuring 14, officials said. The 40-year-old Kosovo A plant, considered one of the worst polluters in Europe, was shut down following the blast that was heard in the capital, Pristina, some 10 km (6 miles) away. The explosion threatened electricity supplies in a country already plagued by blackouts. Power imports were increased to cover demand.
Power for Next Work Day Down on Less Demand, More Supply
Central European power for the next working day fell on Friday due to a holiday in the region expected to crimp demand and forecasts for strong renewable supply that would increase supply, traders said. Czech power for Monday delivery fell to 19 euros ($25.87) per megawatt hour in the over-the-counter market, well below the Friday delivery price of 32.90 euros and the day ahead price of 25 euros.
Petrol Raises Dividend to 10.1 Euros
Slovenia's largest fuel retailer Petrol will pay a dividend of 10.1 euros per share this year, up from 10 euros paid last year, after a shareholder vote on Thursday. The dividend is higher than 9.1 euros per share proposed by the management of Petrol in March because shareholders supported a proposal for a higher dividend by the state investment fund SOD, which is Petrol's largest owner with 19.75 percent.
Albania Readies Power Imports to Make up for Drought
Albania is working to arrange the import of electricity worth up to 90 million euros ($124.93 million) to make up for the loss of domestic output caused by a drought, officials said on Friday. The Balkan state, which relies almost entirely on hydro power plant to produce electricity, has seen water flows to its power stations cut by 40 percent in another year of little rain. Finance Minister Shkelqim Cani said this year's rainfall and snow…
