Energy Charter News

The International Energy Charter approaches Bangladesh and Nepal

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 10:40:05 +0100

A delegation from the Energy Charter Secretariat travelled to Nepal and Bangladesh to support the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) accession process of countries in that region. During the week of 18-24 November 2019, Secretariat officials contributed to a seminar on Resource Integration in Central Asia and its Impact on South Asia, which was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Kathmandu, Nepal. The seminar included the participation of over 30 experts and aimed to evaluate prospects for greater levels of energy sector cooperation between the Central and South Asian regions. The event took into account the energy production potential of Central Asian states and the high levels of energy demand in South Asia. The seminar was addressed by the Head of the EU Delegation in Nepal, officials from the government of Nepal and European diplomats operating locally.

30th Energy Charter Conference moves to Brussels

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 17:14:01 +0100

Due to the devastating earthquake that struck Albania on the 26 of November, and the continuing aftershocks, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared a state of emergency.

Energy Charter Treaty Forum 2019 in Singapore

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:19:06 +0100

On 20 November 2019, the Singapore office of the Permanent Court of Arbitration hosted an international event promoting awareness about the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in South East Asia. The event was held in cooperation with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Ministry of Law of Singapore. Under the headline, The Promise of Arbitration: Enhancing International Peace, Cooperation and Sustainability through Dispute Settlement, governmental officials, legal practitioners and academia discussed issues of governance and innovative approaches in dispute settlements in global and regional contexts.

Eswatini considers closer collaboration with the International Energy Charter

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 08:54:00 +0100

On 14-15 November 2019, a delegation from the Energy Charter Secretariat conducted a working visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in support of the country’s accession process to the Energy Charter Treaty. Eswatini became an Observer to the Energy Charter Conference in December 2015, following its signature of the International Energy Charter declaration, and was invited by the Conference to accede to the Treaty in November 2018. It is currently in the ratification stage of Treaty accession. The Head of the Secretariat’s Expansion Unit conducted meetings with Eswatini government officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, for talks on the remaining steps that the Kingdom still needs to take to finalise its ratification processes.

Electricity grid connection rules for renewable energy

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 15:59:39 +0100

On 19 November 2019, the EU4Energy Governance Project held a Capacity-building Seminar on Electricity Grid Code Connection Rules for Renewable Energy Generators. The objective is to increase knowledge on EU and international practices for renewable energy grid connection. A guideline for setting up minimum standards and technical requirements for renewable energy connection was developed specifically for Belarus and presented during the seminar.

Investment Arbitration Masterclass concludes in Brussels

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:08:02 +0100

The 4th edition of the Investment Arbitration Masterclass organised in Brussels by the Legal Affairs unit of the Energy Charter Secretariat concluded after four intense days (4-7 November 2019). The interactive exercises were focused on providing 20 government officials (from 10 countries and the European Commission) and legal practitioners with hands on training (including mock exercises) about the practicalities and intricacies of the investment arbitration process, the assessment of damages and strategic communication.

Long-time Energy Charter Colleague Passes Away

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:50:59 +0100

The Secretariat regrets to announce the loss of a former colleague Ms Galina Romanova, who sadly passed away on 10 November 2019 in Moscow, the Russian Federation.

Energy Charter Conference Gives Green Light for Negotiations on Modernisation of the ECT

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 18:12:33 +0100

On 6 November 2019, the highest decision-making body of the International Energy Charter – the Energy Charter Conference (the Conference) – approved mandate, procedural issues and timeline for negotiations on modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (the ECT).

1st Annual OPEC-ECS-OFID Legal Workshop takes place in Vienna

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 17:12:48 +0100

OPEC, OPEC’s Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS) hosted a two-day workshop at the seat of OPEC, in Vienna Austria on 30-31 October 2019. It was opened by the OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo who emphasised the synergies and the importance of stronger collaboration among the institutions in light of the common challenges. In his speech Mr Barkindo thanked Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák for his support for the event and emphasised that he is looking forward to further collaboration with the Energy Charter in the future.

Energy Infrastructure Investments in East Africa

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 12:15:07 +0100

The rapid development of regional energy infrastructure is necessary to achieve economic development and growth in East Africa. This paper examines the role of the International Energy Charter and the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) process in facilitating investments in energy infrastructure in East Africa. The paper highlights major renewable and conventional energy projects in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania that have regional implications.

International Energy Charter Forum highlights the Energy Transition

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:06:37 +0200

On 23-24 October 2019, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the International Energy Charter jointly organised the Baku International Energy Charter Forum in Azerbaijan on the topic of “Enabling Energy Transformation through Technology and Policy Innovations”. Almost 200 participants, including Ministers, high-level officials and leading experts from Member and Observer countries, international organisations, the energy industry and academia participated in the Forum.

Updated statistics on Investment cases under the Energy Charter Treaty

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 15:07:20 +0200

Information about the claims has been compiled on the basis of public sources, including specialised reporting services. Since 2001, when the first case invoking the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) was registered, the Energy Charter Secretariat tracked 128 publicly known investment arbitration cases where the ECT was invoked (sometimes together with a BIT).

Energy Efficiency Task Force for Buildings in Armenia

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 15:38:43 +0200

On 17 October 2019, EU4Energy and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia organised the first meeting of the Building Energy Efficiency Task Force. Deputy Minister Hakob Vardanyan opened the meeting.

The International Energy Charter strengthens ties with West Africa

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 11:41:19 +0200

On September 16 2019, the International Energy Charter participated in the Second Steering Committee meeting of the Programme for Improving the Governance of the Energy Sector (AGoSE) of the ECOWAS Member States, which took place in Abuja, Nigeria. The Energy Charter Secretariat has developed a track record of cooperation with ECOWAS (ie, the Economic Cooperation Organisation of West African States) in recent years, since a number of the countries from West Africa are currently in the process of acceding to the Energy Charter Treaty. The Secretariat’s cooperation with ECOWAS includes a project component of the AGoSE Program, where the Energy Charter is assisting ECOWAS member states with a number of capacity building activities designed to enhance regional cooperation as well as energy governance in West Africa. The current cooperation between the Secretariat and the ECOWAS Commission is strongly endorsed by the EU Delegation in Nigeria.

The Energy Charter Participates in China Belt and Road Seminar

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 14:50:09 +0200

The Third Annual Belt Road Initiative Seminar and Training Program concluded in Beijing on September 26, 2019, with the Energy Charter Secretariat once again contributing to the proceedings of this international gathering. This year’s seminar was combined with the 8th annual edition of the Global Energy Security Forum, a high-profile international platform for evaluating the core energy and climate related challenges at the global level. China is rapidly developing itself as a leading platform for debating the role of the different fuel technologies within the context of the energy transition and welcomes a broad spectrum of opinions on the subject matter. The 2019 Seminar and Forum included a diversity of stakeholders from countries around the world. The Secretariat’s Expansion Unit contributed to both the Forum and the Seminar, partnering once again with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in the hosting of these meetings.

Energy Charter Secretariat publishes Energy Investment Risk Assessment 2019

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:08:34 +0200

On 30 September 2019, the Energy Charter Secretariat launched the Energy Investment Risk Assessment 2019 (#EIRA2019), the second edition of its flagship publication. The launch event took place in Brussels and was opened by European Commission Former Director General for Energy Dominique Ristori and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Ilir Bejtja, representing the Albanian Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference 2019.

The Minister of Qazaqstan Discusses ECT Modernisation

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 09:00:40 +0200

On 26 September 2019, Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák, met with the Minister of Energy of Qazaqstan Mr Kanat Bozumbaev. The Minister welcomed the work undertaken by the Investment Unit of the Secretariat on the Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) project. He also expressed Qazaqstan’s commitment to the process of modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and to the continuation of the secondment programme at the Energy Charter Secretariat.

EIRA presented at the XII Kazenergy Eurasian Forum

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 08:46:49 +0200

On 26 September, Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák introduced the Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) 2019 in the context of the Kazenergy Eurasian Forum 2019 in Nur-Sultan city, Qazaqstan. EIRA – as a concept – is based on the core values of the Energy Charter Process; building confidence, promoting open markets, and strengthening the rule of law. EIRA examines and addresses risks related to unpredictable policy and regulatory change, discrimination between foreign and domestic investors and breach of State obligations. It seeks to assist governments in recognising policy and regulatory gaps and, in turn, render their energy sector more conducive to foreign investment.

EU4Energy continues the support to the development of the first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) of Azerbaijan

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 16:26:01 +0200

The first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial working group (IMWG) on the NEEAP development was held on 19 September 2019 in Baku. The meeting was organised jointly with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan within the ongoing EU4Energy Governance project. Members of the working group comprise representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, State Committee for Architecture and Urban Development, State Statistical Committee, energy companies.

Energy Charter reviews energy efficiency in Azerbaijan

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 15:15:00 +0200

Under the auspices of the Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects (PEEREA) and at the request of Azerbaijan, the International Energy Charter embarked upon a three-day mission from 16 to 18 June with the objective of conducting an in-depth energy efficiency review of Azerbaijan.