Geopolitics
The perils of relying on Russian transit for Azeri gas
Est. 5minA proposal to transit Azeri gas through Russia and subsequently to the EU raises significant strategic and security concerns, writes Sergiy Makogon.
EU climate dialogue with China affirms focus on climate finance goal past 2025
Est. 3minThe fifth EU-China high-level environment and climate dialogue, which took place in Brussels on 18 June, served to highlight Beijing's concerns in the face of clean-tech trade restrictions and emphasise that agreement on climate finance would be crucial to make COP29 in Baku a success.
Russia’s strategy: Bombing Ukraine into full blackout
Est. 5minThe consequences of Ukraine becoming uninhabitable in the coming winter are underestimated by Europe and the world, write Victoria Voytsitska and Olena Halushka.
Germany’s Uniper wins $14 billion arbitration ruling against Gazprom
Est. 4minGerman utility Uniper has won a multi-billion euro arbitration against former long-time supplier Gazprom, it said on Wednesday (12 June), allowing it to tear up dormant gas supply contracts and potentially setting a precedent for similar cases.
Industry and government leaders eye renewables as basis for Ukrainian reconstruction
Est. 4minPolitical decision-makers and business leaders met at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin on 11-12 June, where they focused on renewable energy as a key solution to secure Kyiv's electricity supply.
G7 cooperation with China on climate-aligned trade is vital
Est. 5minG7 countries should work with China to put in place climate-aligned trade policies needed to accelerate global climate action, by harnessing the power of international trade to promote innovation, reduce costs, and stimulate demand for green goods, write Matt Piotrowski and Joseph Dellatte.
Germany, Czech Republic seek EU talks on fully quitting Russian energy
Est. 3minGermany and the Czech Republic are pushing the European Union to hold talks on how to eliminate the remaining energy sources Europe imports from Russia, EU diplomats told Reuters on Tuesday (28 May).
EU backs sanctions on Russian propaganda outlets as part of next sanctions package
Est. 3minFour Russian state media outlets will be added to the European Union's blacklist, while other measures for the 14th sanctions package against Moscow are still in the early stages of discussion following a meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday (15 May).
Baltic states in ‘final phase of work’ to desynchronise electricity grids from Moscow
Est. 4minIn the context of the war in Ukraine, the three Baltic States want to accelerate the desynchronisation of their electricity grids from Russia and Belarus and complete it by February 2025 at the latest.
Germany, Poland and France: Recasting a Green Weimar Triangle
Est. 5minThe current geopolitical context is pushing the Weimar Triangle of France, Germany and Poland to prioritise defence and security. On the occasion of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April, NGOs, think tanks, and businesses argue that a 'Green …
How regulatory stability, enhanced coordination and joint funding are crucial to transform European Industry
Est. 6minThe transition towards a thriving green industry in Europe is a top priority of the S&D group. We believe that this transition will have to be based on a true European vision, founded upon regulatory stability and joint financing.
Russia aims to destroy Ukraine’s energy generation capacity
Est. 5minAfter a first campaign of attacks on transmission infrastructures in 2022-23, Russia has recently started focusing its airstrikes on electricity-generating thermal and hydropower plants, causing an electricity deficit that may take years to make up for.
EU to world: Don’t depend solely on China to hit renewable goals
Est. 3minThe world should ensure diverse supply chains and implement a framework to track the progress made towards tripling global renewable capacity by 2030, the EU's Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (17 April).
![Enrico Letta's pending report is expected to identify the single energy market as "Europe’s best asset to ensure its success in a novel global order” [File photo]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/shutterstock_2372655591-800x450.jpg)
The Letta report: What’s in the box for Europe’s energy sector
Est. 4minFormer Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is set to present his report on the future of Europe’s single market to EU leaders on Thursday 18 April. A deepening of Europe’s Energy Union is a key priority, along with several targeted recommendations on how to transform Europe’s energy sector.
The Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine must end in 2025
Est. 5minAs the 2024 expiration of the Russian gas transit contract via Ukraine approaches, the EU faces a pivotal choice, writes Sergiy Makogon.
Bulgaria using Turkish Stream pipeline as a geopolitical weapon, reveals Borissov
Est. 4minBulgaria has introduced the special gas tax on the transmission of Russian gas through Turkish Stream to punish Austria for its Schengen opposition, the leader of Bulgaria's largest party GERB Boyko Borissov announced on Wednesday (3 April).
Leaked documents reveal Kremlin control over Turkish Stream pipeline construction through Bulgaria
Est. 3minLeaked documents from the emails of Russian politicians show that the Kremlin, through Russian and Belarusian companies, had full control over the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline through Bulgaria from 2019-2021, despite then-Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s claims that the project was under the Bulgarian government’s control, Capital reported.
Bulgaria negotiates with Azerbaijan to boost gas supplies to Balkans, Ukraine
Est. 3minBulgaria has started negotiations with Azerbaijan to increase gas supplies to Romania, Moldova and Ukraine through the future vertical Balkan gas corridor, the Bulgarian parliament’s press centre announced on Monday.
Germany’s gas tariff puts EU energy solidarity at risk, energy commissioner says
Est. 2minGermany's levy on cross-border gas trading puts the EU's energy solidarity at risk and hurts efforts to cut the bloc's reliance on Russian gas, the bloc's energy commissioner and deputy Czech PM told reporters on Monday (4 March) following a meeting of EU energy ministers.
Danish police close Nord Stream investigation, no reason given
Est. 2minThe Danish investigation into the Nord Stream 1 and 2 explosions has been closed, the Danish authorities announced on Monday, less than a month after Sweden did the same, but gave no details as to why.
EU-Russia trade continues to slide as LNG, fertilisers curb Europe’s need for pipeline gas
Est. 4minTrade between the European Union and Russia kept sliding in the final quarter of 2023, as Brussels continues efforts to decouple itself from Moscow in the lead-up to the second anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
US ‘pause’ on new LNG exports undermines the energy security of its European allies
Est. 4minThe US administration's decision to suspend the granting of permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals will have major consequences for the energy security of the EU, writes Andrea Di Giuseppe.
Beggars can’t be choosers – Europe needs to smarten up its energy security
Est. 5minThe energy transition is no longer only important to fight climate change, but it has become a geopolitical necessity and a security issue, argue Louise van Schaik and Giulia Cretti.
Cyprus could produce first natural gas as soon as 2026, minister says
Est. 3minCyprus could start producing its first natural gas as soon as 2026, and plans to participate in a high-powered electricity cable project linking the eastern Mediterranean to continental Europe, its energy minister told Reuters.