The European Commission has approved the Reform Agendas of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, following positive opinions from EU Member States. These ambitious reform plans outline the socio-economic and fundamental reforms that the five Western Balkan governments will undertake to spur growth and align with the EU. This crucial step enables the disbursement of funds from the EU’s €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility, which will be made upon completion of agreed reform steps. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I’m impressed by the work of our Western Balkan partners on their Reform Agendas. It shows that they are committed to the success of the Growth Plan. It’s our roadmap to bring the economies of the Western Balkans closer to ours. And to give their companies the access and the means to compete on our Single Market. Everyone benefits, and it’s a big leap forward towards the European Union”. The Reform Agendas focus on key areas such as rule of law, governance, digital and green transitions, human capital development, and the business environment. Each beneficiary country has also proposed a list of indicative investments to be funded under the Facility, which are aimed at unlocking socio-economic growth. The Commission…
Today marks the official launch of ReFarm, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at making farming for nature a sustainable and scalable practice in Ireland. Launched by Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, ReFarm offers businesses a unique opportunity to support nature-positive actions on Irish farms, while complying with new EU sustainability reporting directives. Spearheaded by Dr. Brendan Dunford, founder of Burrenbeo Trust, and Anke Heydenreich, an impact investor, ReFarm is a collaborative effort between Trinity College Dublin, Burrenbeo Trust, and local and international organizations. The project has already begun funding the creation of wildlife ponds on Irish farms, a practice that will continue throughout its five-year lifespan to address biodiversity and climate challenges. Trinity College Dublin will spearhead a research program exploring long-term funding structures for businesses looking to invest in nature-positive actions on Irish farms. ReFarm has successfully secured over €1 million in seed funding from a diverse group, including RWE Ireland, John Paul Construction, CIE Tours, BiOrbic, Community Foundation Ireland, and Trinity Business School. Welcoming the ReFarm project Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, said: ‘Two thirds of the landmass of Ireland is farmland, so it’s only by working with farmers that…
Brno Waterworks and Sewerage Company (BVK), a joint venture between the City of Brno and SUEZ, has officially begun construction on a new sludge treatment line at the Brno-Modřice wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The ambitious project involves the construction of new buildings and the integration of advanced technologies for sludge thickening, anaerobic digestion, dewatering, and drying. This state-of-the-art treatment process aims to optimize the energy potential of the sludge, generating biogas that will be converted into heat and electricity, covering approximately 65% of the plant’s energy requirements. Solar panels will also be installed to contribute another 5% of the plant’s energy consumption. To enhance sludge recovery from wastewater treatment, a new drying process will be implemented, significantly reducing sludge volumes by up to 60%. The dried sludge will be repurposed to generate energy for cement production in local industries. This on-site treatment will also reduce the number of truck trips needed to transport sludge from the plant by 60%. The total investment for this project amounts to €140 million (CZK 3.5 billion). Financing has been secured through long-term bank loans from the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and Komerční banka a.s., complemented by a subsidy from…
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and State Oil Company (SOCAR) have announced a significant partnership with Italy-based Technip Energies to advance the country’s green energy goals. In a recent meeting, Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, and Rovshan Najaf, SOCAR President, met with Marco Villa, CEO of Technip Energies, to discuss the potential of renewable energy and sustainable development in Azerbaijan. The meeting underscored the importance of international collaboration and the use of modern technologies to unlock the country’s renewable energy potential. The discussions focused on ongoing green energy projects and explored innovative pathways toward low-carbon business solutions. As a result of these discussions, a new joint venture was formed between SOCAR Downstream Management, the Azerbaijan Investment Company, and Technip Energies S.p.A. The partnership will focus on producing pyrolysis oil from plastic waste, aiming to boost waste recycling, enhance industrial production, and lower carbon emissions. Valued at €97 million, the project will be located at the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park and is expected to process 36,000 tons of plastic waste annually, generating 23,000 tons of pyrolysis oil. The project’s ownership will be distributed among the Azerbaijan Investment Company (30 percent), Technip Energies (35 percent), and SOCAR (35 percent). This initiative represents…
TotalEnergies announced today that it has commenced production at the Fenix offshore gas field located off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The project, which began production two years after the final investment decision, reflects TotalEnergies’ commitment to contributing to a sustainable gas supply in Argentina. The Fenix gas field, located 60 kilometers off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, is part of the Cuenca Marina Austral (CMA-1) concession, in which TotalEnergies holds a 37.5% interest alongside Harbour Energy and Pan American Energy. With a daily production capacity of 10 million cubic meters of gas, Fenix is expected to cover approximately 8% of Argentina’s natural gas requirements. The gas produced at Fenix will be sent through a subsea pipeline to the TotalEnergies-operated Vega Pléyade platform and then treated onshore at the Río Cullen and Cañadon Alfa facilities. The Fenix development is a low-emission project that aligns with TotalEnergies’ Oil & Gas strategy. By utilizing existing infrastructure, the project’s carbon intensity is estimated at 9 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent (CO2e/boe), compared to an average of 13 kg CO2e/boe for the company’s production activities. Natural gas plays a crucial role in the energy transition, offering a…
The European Commission today announced a comprehensive Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, valued at €1.8 billion. The plan, designed to accelerate Moldova’s economic development and integration into the European Union, is the largest financial support package the country has received since its independence. Key components of the Moldova Growth Plan include: The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed the EU’s unwavering support for Moldova’s path towards EU membership. She emphasized the potential for doubling Moldova’s economy within a decade through targeted investments in infrastructure, jobs, and services. The next steps involve the European Parliament and Council reviewing the proposed Growth Facility for Moldova. Once approved, Moldova will be invited to submit its Reform Agenda, outlining the specific reforms it intends to implement.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has finalized its new electricity connection policy, aimed at streamlining permit-granting processes and facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the Irish grid. The policy introduces several key reforms, including a bi-annual batch application process for grid connection applications, aligned planning and grid connection procedures for RED III projects, and streamlined processes for repowering projects. These changes are designed to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects and help Ireland meet its ambitious climate targets. Richard Murphy, an expert in renewable energy projects, praised the policy as a significant step forward in streamlining the permit-granting process. He highlighted the importance of parallel planning and grid processes in ensuring timely project development. The CRU emphasized the need for efficient and optimal use of existing grid infrastructure and the development of future infrastructure to deliver value to consumers. Repowering projects, which involve replacing or upgrading existing renewable energy systems, are seen as a crucial strategy for achieving Ireland’s net zero emissions goals. “The Commission has fired a warning shot to the member states, including Ireland, on transposing the rules to simplify and speed up the planning approval and other permits for renewables. It’s important that…
This significant milestone underscores Lightsource BP’s commitment to driving the energy transition and contributing to Poland’s renewable energy goals. The Kotuń Solar Farm will generate clean, sustainable electricity, reducing carbon emissions and supporting the country’s decarbonization efforts. Michał Głowacki, managing director of Lightsource BP Poland said: “Solar energy is of great importance for Poland’s energy transition, and we are incredibly proud to deliver the Kotuń photovoltaic farm, our first significant contribution to the national decarbonisation goals.” Since entering the Polish market in late 2020, Lightsource BP has rapidly expanded its operations, developing a pipeline of projects with a combined capacity of 3.2GW. The successful delivery of the Kotuń Solar Farm demonstrates the company’s ability to execute large-scale solar projects efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, Lightsource BP has secured a long-term power purchase agreement with Microsoft, ensuring a stable market for the clean energy generated by the Kotuń Solar Farm. This partnership aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals and strengthens Lightsource BP’s position in the Polish renewable energy market. As Lightsource BP continues to grow its team and operations in Poland, the company remains committed to supporting the country’s energy transition and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Slovakia has been awarded a grant from the US government’s Nuclear Expediting the Energy Transition (NEXT) project to support the selection of a suitable site for the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs). This grant is a significant step forward for Slovakia’s nuclear energy program, following the award of USD2 million last year under the Project Phoenix initiative to conduct feasibility studies for SMRs at former coal-fired power plant sites. The NEXT program, launched by US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, aims to assist partner countries in exploring emerging clean nuclear energy technologies. Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister, Denisa Saková, expressed the country’s commitment to nuclear energy as a key component of its energy transition and decarbonization efforts. Slovenské elektrárne, Slovakia’s leading nuclear operator, has been actively involved in the SMR development process. CEO Branislav Strýček emphasized that SMRs are not intended to replace existing nuclear sources but rather to supplement the energy mix and ensure the country’s energy self-sufficiency. The grant, secured through a joint bid involving government agencies, nuclear operators, universities, and industry partners, will provide technical assistance and consulting services to support the selection of an optimal SMR site. The project will also focus…
A Danish Government-funded project to support employment and entrepreneurship in Ukraine has successfully concluded, leaving a positive impact on the country’s labor market. The six-year project, “Inclusive Labor Markets for Job Creation in Ukraine,” aimed to bolster entrepreneurship, improve social dialogue, and provide critical support to businesses and workers affected by the ongoing conflict. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion, the project achieved significant outcomes. The project restructured the State Employment Service (SES) and introduced new services to enhance employment support, including registrars, employment and specialized employment counsellors, and employers’ counsellors. SES staff were also trained in a new case management system to provide more effective support to job seekers and the unemployed. The project successfully implemented the ILO’s Local Employment Partnership (LEP) model in four Ukrainian regions. LEPs are coalitions of local labor market institutions, educational institutions, NGOs, and employers that work to create job opportunities aligned with local needs. The “Start and Improve Your Business” (SIYB) program trained over 4,800 individuals, surpassing its initial target. SIYB has now been officially adopted as the national entrepreneurship development program in Ukraine. The project digitized ten vocational curricula and upgraded four with the involvement of…
