Energy Charter News

International Energy Charter 2019 Annual Report

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 13:39:23 +0200

The Energy Charter Secretariat has published the Annual Report for 2019. The Report summarises the activities throughout the year and highlights the Albanian Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference.

Energy Efficiency Policies of Azerbaijan Reviewed

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:23:37 +0100

The Energy Charter Secretariat is pleased to announce that the In-Depth Review of the Energy Efficiency Policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan is now available on our website. The In-Depth Review was prepared in 2019 by the Secretariat in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the final recommendation of the report was approved by the Energy Charter Conference in December 2019. The In-depth Energy Efficiency Reviews have a standard format and are broad in scope, analyse the economic and energy context of the country, patterns of energy use, energy efficiency policies and institutional frameworks.

Industry Advisory Panel appoints a new Chair

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:21:55 +0100

On 3 March 2020 in Tirana, Albania, the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) met for its 43rd meeting. During the meeting, Mr Rafael Cayuela Valencia, Corporate Chief Economist of Dow Chemical, was presented as the company’s candidate for the position of the IAP Chair. Following a written procedure, the IAP established Mr Cayuela as the new Chair and as of 24 March 2020, he immediately takes up the post.

Belarus hosts consultations on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:38:45 +0100

On 13 March, 2020, the Ministry of Energy of Belarus hosted consultations on the modernisation in the context of potential ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). The event gathered over 15 representatives from different ministries and governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The consultations started with a welcome speech delivered by Energy Charter Secretary General, Dr Urban Rusnák, and Director of Strategic Development and External Investment Cooperation at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Zorich.

Industry Advisory Panel meets in Albania

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:14:32 +0100

On 3 March 2020, the Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) held its 43rd Session in Tirana, Albania. The event was hosted by Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG and was attended by Panel members, representatives of energy companies, associations, international organisations, and diplomatic representatives.

The International Energy Charter attends EU-Central Asia working lunch

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:01:24 +0100

On 24 February 2020, Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák took part in the EU-Central Asia working lunch. The event was held in Brussels and brought together the representatives of the European Union’s services such as the European External Action Service, DG Energy and DG Development and Cooperation and the Heads of Missions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The topics of discussion focused on potential cooperation in the field of sustainable energy. The participants exchanged views on development and clean energy in the context of EU-Central Asia collaboration. The Commission informed on the work in progress on the new technical assistance project titled “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia” following the EU internal approval process.

The International Energy Charter strengthens ties with Benin

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:03:50 +0100

On 21 February 2020, Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák visited the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Brussels, upon the invitation from the Ambassador. Ambassador Zacharie Richard Akplogan welcomed the Secretary General to discuss the current collaboration between the Energy Charter Secretariat and the Government of Benin.

Belarus hosts EU4Energy and EIRA meetings

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 15:36:40 +0100

From 28-30 January 2020, officials from the Energy Charter Secretariat travelled to Minsk, Belarus, to monitor implementation of the recommendations in the Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) report and to discuss the development of a legislative basis for the natural gas market.

An Energy Efficiency Action Plan discussed in Azerbaijan

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:09:07 +0100

On 29 January 2020, the Energy Charter Secretariat and the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan jointly organised the second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) on the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The development of the NEEAP is part of the EU4Energy Governance programme.

Azerbaijan assumes the Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference for 2020

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 09:17:29 +0100

As of 1 January 2020, Azerbaijan takes over the Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference for the year. The Conference works on an annual rotating basis, and each year a new country takes over leadership to direct the highest decision-making body of the Energy Charter process.

Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic visits the Energy Charter Secretariat

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 15:03:13 +0100

On the 13 December 2019, His Excellency Mr Muktar Djumaliev, the recently appointed Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium, paid a courtesy visit to the Energy Charter Secretariat and met with the Energy Charter Secretary General Dr Urban Rusnák.

Post Conflict Reconstruction Strategy Study for the Electricity and Energy Sector of Yemen

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 09:22:13 +0100

Over the last decade, the demand for energy services in Yemen has accelerated, as a result of economic development and population expansion. Electricity demand, as indicated by the Yemen Public Electricity Corporation (PEC) has reached an increase of 9.6 percent annually since 2000 (PEC, 2006). PEC estimated that this rapid growth rate would continue in the long term. The rapid increase of electricity demand puts additional pressure on the poorly performing electricity supply industry. The electricity sector of Yemen has been part of social and political agenda of the government.

30th Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference concludes in Brussels

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 14:19:06 +0100

On 10-11 December 2019, the Albanian Chairmanship hosted the 30th Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference in Brussels, Belgium. This year’s Ministerial Session was chaired by Mr Ilir Bejtja, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania, and Vice-Chair of the Energy Charter Conference. The event was dedicated to facilitating investment in renewables, diversification and efficiency.

The International Energy Charter holds its Annual Symposium in China

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:52:00 +0100

The International Energy Charter and the China Electricity Council held its annual meeting & symposium back to back with the Investment Mediation Training in Beijing. The Training was co-hosted on 27 November 2019 with the China Electricity Council (CEC) and the Energy Charter Secretariat providing an overview of the work on investment mediation including the Investment Mediation Guide.

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.