Energy Charter News

The United Kingdom denies advantages of Part III under Article 17 of the ECT

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:22:33 +0200

On 29 September 2023, the Energy Charter Secretariat received the attached communication from the United Kingdom exercising its right under Article 17 of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) to deny advantages of Part III of the ECT to (i) any legal entity owned or controlled by citizens or nationals of the Russian Federation without substantial business activities in the Area of the Contracting Party in which it is organised, as well as to (ii) Investments of Investors of the Russian Federation who are included in the UK Sanctions List.

International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel and Alliance for Industry Decarbonization holds a joint roundtable discussion on decarbonisation

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:51:54 +0200

On 18 September 2023, the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) and the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID), held a joint roundtable “Strategies & technological solutions for achieving carbon emissions reduction under the -1.5 C° scenario,” organised by the Energy Charter Secretariat as a side event at Climate Week NYC 2023. This hybrid event, hosted by Eni in New York, USA, was attended in person and online by over 120 participants, including the IAP members, representatives of Governments, industry, international organisations, financial institutions, investment companies, research centres, and business associations. The event participants were welcomed by Ms Atsuko Hirose, Deputy Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, who emphasised the role of the Energy Charter in promoting the private sector investments in the energy sector needed to meet the enormous cost of decarbonisation; Mr Marco Margheri, Head of USA International Relations Office, Eni, who focused on the need for partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders; and Mr Rafael Cayuela, the IAP Chair and Chief Strategy Officer & Corporate Chief Economist at Dow EMEAI, who referred to the “Code Red” for the humanity as stressed by the UN Secretary-General and the need to scale up the available technology urgently. The lively and interactive panel discussion ensued, focused on the topics to reach common goals in line with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as industry’s approaches to achieve carbon emissions reduction, policy incentives and long-term strategies to stimulate industry decarbonisation, the need for engaging with a wide group of stakeholders, including the local community, in the development and implementation of decarbonisation programmes, scaling up of enabling technologies and infrastructure, and opportunities for green financing and investment. Mr. Rich Voorberg, President, Siemens Energy, North America; Mr. Wouter de Groot, Vice President, Sustainability, FLSmidth; Mr. Bruce Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, Global Renewables Alliance; Mr. Nour Sobh, Senior Advisor - Corporate Energy Sourcing, Eurelectric; Ms Mikki Corcoran, Vice President, Sustainability, SLB; and Mr. Nunzio Peleggi, Managing Director, Business Development, DNV; and Mr. Christian Spano, Director, Innovation, ICMM, participated in the discussion in person. Mr. Rafael Cayuela, Chief Strategy Officer & Corporate Chief Economist at Dow EMEAI; Mr. Hans Korteweg, Managing Director, COGEN Europe & Executive Director, COGEN World Coalition; Mr. Ivan Pineda, Director of Innovation, WindEurope; and Mr. Bogdan Simion, Data Analytics Advisor, Gas Infrastructure Europe joined the event via video call. In her concluding remarks, Ms Atsuko Hirose called for deepening the collaboration between the IAP and the AFID and suggested holding such a discussion on strategies and technological solutions for industrial decarbonisation as a periodic event, which was supported by a number of in-person participants. The Industry Advisory Panel is the expert consultative body of the Energy Charter Conference, providing policy advice from energy companies, international business associations and financial institutions on energy investment and the functioning of energy markets. The Panel includes 63 members from all sectors of the energy industry and from a wide range of Members and Observers of the Energy Charter Conference.

Written notification of withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:29:42 +0200

The Depositary of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), Portugal, has confirmed the receipt of a written notification of withdrawal from the ECT from the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The withdrawal shall take effect on 17 June 2024. According to Article 47(3) of the ECT, all the investments covered by the Treaty at the time the withdrawal takes effect will continue enjoying protection for 20 years from such date. Apart from earlier announced notifications, the Secretariat is not aware of any other notification of withdrawal from the ECT being received by the Depositary.

Secretariat thanks three Ukrainian Seconded Experts for their contribution to the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:37:43 +0200

The Secretary-General, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Atsuko Hirose, expressed gratitude to three Ukrainian experts for their dedication to the work of the Task Force established within the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure,” and congratulated them on the successful completion of secondment programmes at the Energy Charter Secretariat. From February to July 2023, Ms. Victoria Ruzhenkova, State Expert of Expert Group for European and Euroatlantic Integration of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and European Integration, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine; Mr. Ivan Levchenko, Head of Division of the International Technical Assistance and Cooperation with International Organizations and EU Countries of Department on International Affairs, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine; and Ms. Zalina Kryukova, Chief specialist of Division of Communication and Media Relations of Department of Communications, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, successfully contributed to the following deliverables of the Task Force: - preparation of the monthly “Ukrainian Energy Sector Evaluation and Damage Assessment” reports; - conducting the Coordination Meeting with the participation of representatives from the Ukrainian Ministries, foreign governments, international organisations, NGOs and think tanks, for the efficient coordination of all current and future activities related to the restoration of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure; - update of “Report on Key Legislative Changes Addressing the Negative Impact of the War and the Energy Crisis Related to the Damaged Energy Infrastructure In Ukraine; and - conducting webinars, round tables and other events related to the Task Force activities, including the preparation for and the attendance in G7+ Coordination Group meetings. The Energy Charter Secretariat wishes the Ukrainian colleagues a safe return to Ukraine, the soonest victory for Ukraine, and the best of luck in all their future endeavours. The overall objective of the project "Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure" is to assist the Government of Ukraine in the cost-effective restoration of energy infrastructure, taking into account the clean energy transition while ensuring energy security. The project is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Statement by the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat on the draft Council Decision proposing the withdrawal of the European Union from the Energy Charter Treaty

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:10:01 +0200

I would like to express my profound regret regarding the draft Council Decisions proposing the withdrawal of the European Union (EU) and EURATOM from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), published by the European Commission on 7 July 2023, and the Commission withdrawing, on the same date, its previous draft Council Decisions to modernise the ECT. A solid and reliable legal environment is a prerequisite for mobilising much-needed private sector investments in clean energy sources. In this context, adopting the modernised ECT text could play a pivotal role in de-risking EU investments while allowing countries to reach their energy transition objectives. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises in renewable electricity generation and the energy efficiency sector would have gained the most since they are key to achieving the energy transition and rely on the investment protection the ECT offers. As noted by the European Commission in its recent press release, the Contracting Parties of the ECT came together and, in good faith, negotiated for more than three years to modernise its text. I applaud the high professionalism, commitment and efforts of the entire constituency that allowed us to reach a successful "agreement in principle" in June 2022. Regrettably, due to the abstention of its four Member States, the European Council did not reach the qualified majority needed for a common EU position to approve the modernised ECT's text. This is despite the fact that the "agreement in principle" fulfilled the negotiation mandate given by the European Council. That said, I want to draw attention to the fact that the decision of the Energy Charter Conference to modernise the ECT is not linked to a potential EU decision on its withdrawal from it. These decisions are not incompatible, and the European Council could adopt both: one, a decision to withdraw the EU/EURATOM from the ECT and the second, a non-objection to modernise the ECT. While the European Commission's proposal for the EU to leave the ECT is disappointing, there is still significant hope that the modernised text of the ECT will be endorsed both by countries wishing to remain within its fold and those that have decided to withdraw from the unmodernised ECT. I, therefore, appeal to all EU Member States that they continue to push forward with the ECT's modernisation process. Indeed, the ECT's modernised text is unique in that it is the first coordinated multinational effort to make international investment agreements climate responsive and align them with global environmental goals. By unequivocally supporting the modernisation process, the EU Member States will demonstrate their internal solidarity and commitment to climate action and facilitate the ECT's remaining constituency to move forward with much-needed reforms. Their cooperation will allow countries intending to adopt the modernised ECT to avail the benefits of this multilateral legal framework compatible with the Paris Agreement and use it to thrive and develop their investment, energy, and climate goals far beyond EU borders.

Deputy Secretary-General appointed Goodwill Ambassador for World Bank’s “Law Societies’ Compact & Forum for SDG 16”

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:44:30 +0200

At the invitation of the World Bank, Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Atsuko Hirose has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Bank’s Law Societies’ Compact & Forum for SDG 16. She will be serving a three-year term from 1 July 2023. The Compact & Forum is an initiative co-launched by the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency and the Law Society of England and Wales. It was founded on the common understanding that lawyers should play a role in promoting and ensuring good development outcomes by advocating for the rule of law and access to justice across the world. The American Bar Association, the French National Bar Council, the Inter-American Bar Association, Law Asia, and the International Bar Association are among the members of the Compact & Forum. The Goodwill Ambassadors embody the Compact & Forum’s identity, values, and ethic, to increase awareness and to promote the rule of law. During the recent Tbilisi Women’s International Conference (Deputy Secretary-General speaks at Tbilisi Women's International Conference on "Transformation and Transition" ), Ms. Atsuko Hirose mentioned her appointment and referred to the activities of the Compact & Forum.

Ukrainian Task Force completes the Eleventh Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment Report

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:05:11 +0200

The Eleventh Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment report is now available online. The report outlines new and updated information on how the war affected the Ukrainian energy system and covers damages inflicted on all energy sector facilities by the invading Russian military forces since February 24, 2022, and key changes in the Ukrainian energy sector from May 25 to June 24, 2023. The report was prepared by the Task Force under the project, “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, which is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Deputy Secretary-General speaks at Tbilisi Women's International Conference on "Transformation and Transition"

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:37:35 +0200

On 1 July 2023, Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Atsuko Hirose participated as a speaker in the Tbilisi Women's International Conference under the theme of "Transformation and Transition," at the invitation of the President of Georgia, Her Excellency Ms. Salome Zourabichvili. Ms. Atsuko Hirose took part in the panel "Caspian and Black Sea Connectivity - Energy and Transport Corridors." She spoke on the Energy Charter Treaty's role in protecting and promoting investments in energy, especially much-needed private investments in the renewable energy sector, which is crucial in the current period of energy transition. She emphasised that the Energy Charter Treaty is the only multilateral treaty dealing at length with energy transit issues, which are important for both the Caspian and the Black Sea regions. Ms. Atsuko Hirose also mentioned the Energy Charter Secretariat's flagship publication, the Energy Investment Risk Assessment, as well as its new pilot project on conflict prevention in the renewable energy sector, based on the findings of the joint report with the World Bank. The Conference, the second following the successful inaugural conference in 2022, was opened by remarks from President Zourabichvili. About 40 prominent women speakers participated, including the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Executive Secretary and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Ms. Olga Algayerova, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Dunja Miljatović, and the presenter of BBC Hardtalk and President of the School of Oriental and Asian Studies, Ms. Zeinab Badawi.

Eighth Report on Key Legal Developments in Ukraine's Energy Sector completed by the Ukrainian Task Force

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 17:50:39 +0200

The Eighth Report on Key Legal Developments in Ukraine's Energy Sector is now available online. The 8th edition outlines the key legal developments from 25 April 2023 to 31 May 2023, followed by a concise but comprehensive overview of key legislative and regulatory changes introduced for the duration of martial law and as a part of ongoing energy sector reforms in Ukraine, from 24 February 2022 to 31 May 2023. Since the full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation was launched on 24 February 2022, Ukraine has implemented various coping mechanisms to manage the energy crisis related to the damaged energy infrastructure. This report outlines such coping strategies and emergency response mechanisms employed via legislative and regulatory changes, which also form a part of ongoing energy sector reforms in Ukraine. The document was developed by a Ukrainian law firm in cooperation with the Task Force under the project, “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, which is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Secretary-General Lentz Holds Meeting with the Minister of State of Pakistan

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 16:37:54 +0200

On June 1, 2023, on the margins of the Baku Energy Forum, Secretary-General Lentz held a meeting with H.E. Dr Musadik Malik, the Federal Minister of State for Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The parties had a very engaging discussion centered on and driven by the interest of Pakistan in the particularities, process, outcome and prospects of the modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty. H.E. the Minister underscored the importance of encouraging and protecting foreign investments into the energy sector of Pakistan, and thus referred to the ensuing necessity of creating relevant conducive environments. In response, Secretary-General Lentz provided a succinct recapitulation of the principal features and results of the modernization process, emphasizing its perspectives in light of the contemporary energy realities, new energy order, and the role of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the regional context. The parties have further exchanged views on and discussed the modalities of developing a value-added dialogue between the Energy Charter Secretariat which could have a potentially beneficial outcome. It was agreed that the Secretariat would follow up shortly with H.E. Dr Malik with the options on how to proceed further based on the understandings achieved

Secretary-General Lentz Holds Bilateral Meeting at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 16:32:43 +0200

In conjunction with his attendance of the Baku Energy Energy Week, Secretary-General Lentz met with H.E. Mr Parviz Shahbazov, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The parties have elaborately discussed the current state of affairs in the finalized modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty, touching upon the confluence of factors which will drive the dynamics and forereach the strategy pertinent to the shaping of the Treaty's future including those related to potential expansion opportunities. In this regard, H.E. Minister Shahbazov has in turn emphasized the impelling importance of ramping up the Treaty's visibility by building upon its multifarious coverage and conducive features which propel both the promotion and protection of investments and the contribution to the net-zero targets. He further offered the assurances of Azerbaijan's commitment to the spirit of the Treaty and underscored the preparedness of his country as an active contracting party, to engage in and assist with ensuing deliberations on the above matters. H.E. the Minister also praised the assistance the Energy Charter Secretariat had rendered to Azerbaijan in the recent past in contributing to the review of the country's legal framework on certain energy-related aspects. Secretary-General Lentz referred to and welcomed the active role of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Energy Charter Process, including its past chairmanship and contribution to the modernization of the Treaty and endorsed maintaining the current level of efforts on the part of the country in supporting the work of the Conference and the subsidiary bodies thereof. The parties have further exchanged views on the matters of energy security, the role of Azerbaijan in the current energy context and discussed cooperation with the Secretariat, including secondment options for the Ministry.

Secretary-General Lentz Participates in the Baku Energy Week

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 09:55:52 +0200

On May 31 - June 2, Secretary-General Lentz, upon the invitation of H.E. the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participated in the Baku Energy Week. This event, held on a regular basis, included the Baku Energy Expo and the 28th Baku Energy Forum, and attracted over 300 participants representing an array of energy-related businesses, state regulators, analysts and scholars. Secretary-General Lentz attended the high-level opening ceremony of the Baku Expo inaugurated by H.E. the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and then participated as one of the key speakers at the Energy Forum contributing to the plenary panel discussions on the new energy order in the transition period. The Secretary-General spoke and delivered a message on the importance of private investments in non-carbon energy sources to achieve the decarbonization targets of 2050/60 and the unique role of the Charter Treaty as an accelerator of the energy transition by increasing drastically the level of investments between Charter Contracting Parties. He also highlighted the significance of the Energy Charter Treaty's provisions and role in regional energy security, transit and dispute settlement mechanisms. The Secretary-General further emphasized the unique degree of advancement of the modernized Treaty from the standpoint of the global decarbonization efforts and goals. https://president.az/en/articles/view/60065/images

Ukrainian Task Force completes the Tenth Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment Report

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 17:33:44 +0200

The Tenth Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment report is now available online. The report outlines new and updated information on how the war affected the Ukrainian energy system and covers damages inflicted on all energy sector facilities by the invading Russian military forces since February 24, 2022, and key changes in the Ukrainian energy sector from April 25 to May 24, 2023. The report was prepared by the Task Force under the project, “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, which is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

The Secretariat Welcomes Jordanian Seconded Expert

Tue, 23 May 2023 16:40:59 +0200

On May 23, 2023, Energy Charter Secretariat welcomed Jordanian Secondee to work on the development of the In-Depth Energy Efficiency Policy Review of Jordan. Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Guy Lentz, and Energy Efficiency, Climate & Renewable Energy Official, Özlem Duyan met with Issa Zahedah, Mechanical Engineer at the Department of Technical Support to the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Jordanian seconded expert will contribute to the development of the report from the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

Seventh Report on Key Legal Developments in Ukraine's Energy Sector completed by the Ukrainian Task Force

Wed, 10 May 2023 12:30:10 +0200

The Seventh Report on Key Legal Developments in Ukraine's Energy Sector is now available online. The seventh edition outlines the key legal developments from 25 March 2023 to 24 April 2023, followed by a concise but comprehensive overview of key legislative and regulatory changes introduced for the duration of martial law and as a part of ongoing energy sector reforms in Ukraine, from 24 February 2022 to 24 April 2023. Since the full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation was launched on 24 February 2022, Ukraine has implemented various coping mechanisms to manage the energy crisis related to the damaged energy infrastructure. This report outlines such coping strategies and emergency response mechanisms employed via legislative and regulatory changes, which also form a part of ongoing energy sector reforms in Ukraine. The document was developed by a Ukrainian law firm in cooperation with the Task Force under the project, “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, which is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Renewable energy investors continue to rely on treaty protection: updated statistics on Investment cases under the ECT

Thu, 04 May 2023 11:50:37 +0200

The Energy Charter Secretariat has released a new issue of statistics on investment arbitration cases under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). This updated edition includes additional data and important insights on the recent trends in investment arbitration under the ECT. The latest statistics reveal that the total number of known ECT-based investment arbitration cases has reached 158. Among these cases, 59% concern renewable power generation. Solar power generation stands out as a sub-sector with the most claims (38% of overall cases). More than a half of all investment disputes under the Treaty have been brought by small or medium enterprises (55%). Information about the claims has been compiled on the basis of public sources. The Secretariat welcomes any additional information or clarification on specific cases at legalaffairs@encharter.org.

Ukrainian Task Force completes the Ninth Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment Report

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 12:44:49 +0200

The Ninth Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment report is now available online. The report outlines new and updated information on how the war affected the Ukrainian energy system and covers damages inflicted on all energy sector facilities by the invading Russian military forces since February 24, 2022, and key changes in the Ukrainian energy sector from March 25 to April 24, 2023. The report was prepared by the Task Force under the project, “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, which is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Ukrainian Task Force contributes to the Conference “European Energy Security: One Year into Russia's war in Ukraine”

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 16:09:18 +0200

On 19 April 2023, the Task Force, established within the Energy Charter Secretariat under the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, was invited to present the results of its activities and contribute to the Conference “European Energy Security: One Year into Russia's war in Ukraine”, held in Warsaw, Poland. During the Conference, Dr Oleksandr Antonenko, the Task Force Leader and the Energy Efficiency, Climate and Renewable Energy Official of the Energy Charter Secretariat presented the results of the latest Ukrainian Energy Sector Damage Assessment Report and contributed to the discussion of the Conference Panel “Partnership, cooperation and integration: Shaping the EU-Ukraine energy relationship”. The panel discussion was moderated by the Polish think tank - Forum Energii and included the representatives of the Energy Charter Secretariat, the Energy Community Secretariat, the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency and the Ukrainian think tank - DiXi Group. The parties shared their views on the current state of play of the Ukrainian energy system, the role of the EU-Ukraine cooperation and the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to achieve the clean energy transition and energy security of Ukraine. The general objective of the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure” is to assist the Government of Ukraine in the cost-effective restoration of energy infrastructure, taking into account the clean energy transition while ensuring energy security. The project is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat. Photos by Forum Energii/Piotr Wróblewski

Reducing Regulatory Risks and Preventing Investor-State Conflicts in the Renewable Energy Sector

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:36:56 +0200

The Secretariat, together with the World Bank Group, has completed a joint report entitled “Enabling Foreign Direct Investment in the Renewable Energy Sector Reducing Regulatory Risks and Preventing Investor-State Conflicts”. The report has been extensively peer-reviewed by senior experts of the World Bank Group, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel, the Deputy Business Ombudsman of Ukraine and the Energy Commission of Nigeria. It has also received financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, the European Commission and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). Since 2013, the Energy Charter Secretariat has been actively promoting prevention and amicable resolution of investment disputes and conflicts; and the Energy Charter Conference has endorsed relevant tools such as the Guide on Investment Mediation and the Model Instrument on Management of Investment Disputes (both frequently referred to at international forums such as UNCITRAL). The joint report with the World Bank Group further aims to attract greater attention to the need for dispute avoidance and mitigation in energy projects relevant for energy transition and low-carbon development to enable greater flow of foreign direct investment (FDI). The Energy Charter Secretariat is expecting to host a webinar on the findings of the report. About the Report This report explores political, including regulatory risks, associated with adverse measures affecting foreign investors in the sector of renewable power generation, the prevalence of investment disputes caused by such risks, and policy options and mechanisms for governments to prevent the disputes. It is submitted that FDI remains an important source of financing of renewable power generation facilities. With acceleration of energy transition and low-carbon development, attracting and retaining high levels of FDI in the renewable energy sector becomes crucial for achieving developmental goals. However, disputes arise between investors and host countries in the course of planning and implementation of the renewable energy projects, and the parties may take recourse under international investment agreements and contracts. The disputes may lead to significant monetary losses for both of the parties as well as to delay, cancellation or withdrawal of investment projects. In studying different types of disputes and conflicts in renewable power generation, the report identifies that most common adverse measure challenged by investors in arbitral proceedings is regulatory changes, predominantly in the form of reductions and phase-out of incentive programmes. The report further identifies that while there are no specific mechanisms developed to prevent and mitigate disputes in the renewable power generation sector, there are certain legal instruments and tools on international, national and contractual levels to avoid and mitigate conflicts between foreign investors and host states. Building upon the analysis of investor-state disputes and existing mechanisms and tools for dispute avoidance and mitigation, the report suggests possible option state can implement to address investor conflicts and ultimately prevent investor-state disputes specifically in the renewable energy sector. “[W]e commend the IEC [International Energy Charter] for the review, which would serve as a source of veritable information on preventing disputes during investment in Renewable Energy for production of electricity, biofuels and heat”, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Ukrainian Task Force contributes to G7+ Coordination Group

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:14:17 +0200

On 13 April 2023, the Ukrainian Task Force, established within the Energy Charter Secretariat under the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure”, was invited to present its activities to the G7+ Coordination Group. Following the suggestions of the European Commission, voiced during the Fifth Ukrainian Task Force Coordination Meeting, held on 24 March 2023, the Ukrainian Task Force was invited to present its activities and its Coordination Matrix at G7+ Coordination Group meeting. The Coordination Matrix represents the results of the regularly updated mapping of Ukrainian and International organisations' activities related to the restoration of Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Since September 2022, the Matrix has been an effective tool to ensure efficient coordination and mitigate any potential risks related to duplication and overlapping of activities, which was confirmed by many international and Ukrainian stakeholders. During the G7+ Coordination Group meeting, the parties shared information on urgent aid and planned activities related to restoring the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The participants also agreed that Coordination Matrix, developed by the Ukrainian Task Force, should be regularly presented during future G7+ Coordination Group meetings as an effective tool to ensure efficient coordination among multiple stakeholders. The general objective of the project “Cooperation for Restoring the Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure” is to assist the Government of Ukraine in the cost-effective restoration of energy infrastructure, taking into account the clean energy transition while ensuring energy security. The project is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Energy Charter Secretariat.