North Macedonia Adopts National Energy and Climate Plan, Commits to Accelerate Energy Transition During Secretariat’s Visit to Skopje

06.06.2022

Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (dimitrisvetsikas1969)

Director Artur Lorkowski and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of North Macedonia, Fatmir Bytyki, agreed to step up cooperation to accelerate the just energy transition during their meeting in Skopje on 31 May. The meeting coincided with the adoption of the final National Energy and Climate Plan by the Government of North Macedonia, following the Secretariat’s recommendations.

Director Lorkowski said: “I congratulate the Government of North Macedonia for setting a clear energy transition pathway by adopting the National Energy and Climate Plan. This reflects the country’s dedication to decarbonisation and transformation of its economy and energy system to face the new challenges of the 21st century. Today, we agreed that the Energy Community Secretariat will be a strong partner for North Macedonia to advance a socially acceptable energy transition, aligned with the ambitions of the European Green Deal. North Macedonia can count on the Secretariat’s hands-on support.”

Deputy Prime Minister Bytyki said: “North Macedonia remains committed to its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty and the Paris Agreement, despite the challenges posed by recent developments. The Government’s adoption of the Energy and Climate Plan testifies to this. Moreover, several large and strategically important renewable energy projects that will ensure our energy security and diversification away from fossil fuels are underway. We look forward to enhanced cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat to make the just energy transition a reality.”

During his mission to Skopje, the Director also met with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Razmena Cekic Duroviq, Head of EU Delegation to North Macedonia, David Geer, the President and Board members of the Energy Regulatory Commission and directors of electricity and gas companies. The meetings focused on the state of energy sector reforms in North Macedonia and advancing the decarbonisation agenda in the face of the current situation on the energy markets. Director Lorkowski invited all stakeholders to actively engage in an inclusive process of setting 2030 targets for energy efficiency, renewables and greenhouse gas reduction in 2022.

The Director was accompanied by Deputy Director Dirk Buschle and Senior Energy Lawyer Rozeta Karova.

During his visit, the Director addressed the Skopje Economic and Finance Forum on the energy and green transition in North Macedonia. During his intervention, Director Lorkowski underlined that the present energy crisis is no reason to pause the energy transition but rather it reflects the urgency of accelerating the uptake of energy from renewable sources and phasing out of fossil fuels. Continued energy market reforms were needed to make the sector fit for the energy transition.

Source: Energy Community

Stockholm+50 Closes With Call for Urgent Environmental, Economic Transformation

06.06.2022

lavander_lavanda_butterfly_leptir — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Ivan Jevtić)

Hundreds of speakers attending Stockholm+50, have called for real commitment to urgently address global environmental concerns and for a just transition to sustainable economies that work for all people.

The two-day international meeting concluded with a statement from co-hosts Sweden and Kenya, drawn from Member States and stakeholders through the meeting’s plenaries and leadership dialogues. The statement contains several recommendations for an actionable agenda, including, among others, placing human well-being at the centre of a healthy planet and prosperity for all; recognizing and implementing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; adopting systemwide changes in the way our current economic system works, and accelerate transformations of high impact sectors.

“We believe that we have – collectively – mobilized and used the potential of this meeting. We now have a blueprint of acceleration to take further,” Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Annika Strandhäll, said in her closing remarks. “Stockholm+50 has been a milestone on our path towards a healthy planet for all, leaving no one behind.”

Stockholm+50 featured four plenary sessions in which leaders made calls for bold environmental action to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Three leadership dialogues, hundreds of side events – including several youth-led sessions – and webinars, as well as series of regional multi-stakeholder consultations in the run-up to the meeting enabled thousands of people around the world to engage in discussions and put forward their views.

“The variety of voices and bold messages that have emerged from these two days demonstrate a genuine wish to live up to the potential of this meeting and build a future for our children and grandchildren on this, our only planet,” said Keriako Tobiko, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment. “We didn’t just come here to commemorate, but to build forward and better, based on the steps taken since 1972.”

“We came to Stockholm 50 years after the UN Conference on the Human Environment knowing that something must change. Knowing that if we do not change, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste will only accelerate,” said Inger Andersen, Secretary-General of Stockholm+50 and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.

“Now we must take forward this energy, this commitment to action to shape our world,” she added.

Source: Stockholm+50

Island Vacation and EV – Ideal Choice

05.06.2022

luka_ostrva_Hrvatska — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Lucian Petronel Potlog)

Innumerable Croatian islands, which captivate with their hospitality and rich scents of Mediterranean cuisine, are fittingly the favorite summer resorts in Europe. In addition to all the qualities, Hvar, Krk, Lošinj, Korčula, and other islands scattered on the Adriatic Sea can boast, visitors will soon have more reason to spend their vacation in one of these destinations, which, will soon become green oases.

Promotion of renewable energy sources, followed by the transition to electric vehicles, are two important segments of the Croatian islands’ green agenda, we were told by Maja Jurišić, Head of the Island Movement. Founded in 2017 as a civil society organization, the Island Movement is a unique platform of experts and islanders who seek to respond to the needs of island communities in the process of the green and digital transition.

The vision of the Island Movement is self-sustainable and self-sufficient island communities, independent of the mainland in every respect. As explained by our host, the main mission of the Movement is to provide islanders with advisory and logistical support in projects contributing to that vision. We are truly thankful to Hrvoje Prpić, president of the Strujni Krug (Electric Circuit) Association, and his valuable knowledge about electromobility on Croatian islands, who also contributed to this issue of the magazine, explaining in detail all the advantages of introducing electric vehicles on the islands, the state of battery charging infrastructure and preconditions for the accelerated green transition of island communities.

The Strujni Krug Association was founded merely two years ago, but more than 1,000 members quickly embraced it. Most of the members are individuals, although the Circuit has over 100 different companies which, in addition to finding the possibility of marketing their products, see the association as a great lobbyist who can help the state adjust the laws to market needs, explains Prpić.

In focus:

Why EV on the island?

The wider adoption of electric vehicles is essential for the country’s decarbonization in general, not just the Croatian islands. However, the electrification of traffic on the islands stands out as a special topic because drivers face fewer obstacles when switching to electric cars, and thanks to the numerous benefits that islanders can have after the complete ending of fossil vehicle use.

“Switching to electric vehicles on the islands is far easier because old electric vehicles with a range of less than 100 km can be used, and their prices are already very affordable, and vehicles can be charged thanks to solar panels, which have also become very affordable”, explains Prpić.

For those considering buying an electric car discouraged by underdevloped charging infrastructure, islanders, on the other hand, have an advantage because, according to the president of the “Electric Circuit”, Croatian islands have a much better battery charging infrastructure than the number of vehicles requires. In addition, electric cars can be charged at any outlet, avoiding problems arising in urban areas where residents must park their vehicles in public parking lots, unlike islanders who can park in their backyards or garages.

Prepared by: Milena Maglovski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

Community Fridge – Leave Whatever You Can, Take Whatever You Need

02.06.2022

zajednički frižider — Photo: Sara Đuka / WWF Adrija

We have to ask you to pay special attention to this text at the very beginning. Take a moment and think about how much food you threw away during the previous week or month and what type of food usually goes stale in your fridge. Research conducted in Serbia indicates that we buy more food than we need, which is why a part of it, in fact as much as 35 kg per person per year, ends up in waste bins.

On the other hand, it is quite normal to feel uncomfortable when throwing away food. If you have not yet had a suitable place to dispose of surplus food that would meet the urgent needs of vulnerable groups, now there is a solution devised by Emilija Bojić and Tamara Stojković from the “Community Fridge” initiative.

They’ve got the idea of a community fridge after learning that waste from the food and textile industries has a very negative impact on the climate. The amount of such waste is just incredible. Globally, some 1.3 billion tons of various foods are thrown away every year. Locally obtained data, determined by the research of the Environment Improvement Center, indicates that every person in Serbia throws away food worth 10,000 dinars a year. At the same time there is a significant number of people in our country who are starving. Tamara and Emilija managed to realize the opportunity to execute their idea of a community fridge as part of the WWF project “The climate remains on the young”.

Besides the environmental aspect of the project, these climate activists introduced a humanitarian element, giving a special significance to the initiative.

In focus:

“Now we can redirect food that would otherwise end up in the waste to socially endangered groups. It is important to point out that when we throw away food, we throw away a piece of forest, river, or land. In addition, food that ends up in waste impairs the quality of the soil and emits greenhouse gases”, says Emilia.

It took as much as six months to install just one fridge, which was a total surprise to the two activists. Tamara says that there were many obstacles, from the initial research of the Law on Food Donations, searching for organizations and individuals who would support them, organizing volunteers, to informing the public about the fridge.

“As far as notification is concerned, we were most concerned about how we will inform end users, considering that they do not use social networks so much”, Emilija explains.

However, the initiative became known very quickly, and the endusers received information through the media and then spread it among themselves.

How did it all start?

Tamara and Emilija met at the WWF open competition “The climate remains on the young”. Tamara wanted to reduce waste from the food industry and Emilija from the fashion industry. They were united by the idea of Community Fridges and Wardrobes.

“We started with the fridge first because it is more difficult to install, mostly because of the legal regulations on food donations. From the beginning of the process, WWF has provided us with priceless mentoring that will be so important throughout our careers. The Belgrade Food Bank was among the first to recognize the potential and decided to help us without hesitation, both in practice and with numerous important tips. The same was done by the humanitarian organization June 28, which donated a refrigerator to us, while Dorćol Platz was kind enough to provide us with the spot. Thanks to Andrej Kolosov’s artistic contribution, the fridge was painted accordingly”, says Tamara.

The shared fridge is regularly replenished by the donations made by the Belgrade Food Bank and all the individuals with their food donations. Volunteers take daily care and keep the fridge clean, watching out not to issue any unsafe food. Such food is disposed of in compost.

Prepared by: Milena Maglovski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

The Netherlands, Germany Announce Joint North Sea Drilling Operation

02.06.2022

The Netherlands and Germany will drill for gas in the North Sea together, with production expected to start in 2024, the Dutch government has announced.

According to the Dutch government’s website, production will take place in the North Sea, about 19 kilometres north of Schiermonnikoog and Borkum. A pipeline is being constructed to get the gas onto the shore.

To satisfy the concerns raised by environmentalists, the platform will be moved away from a local oyster project, and water released during production will be filtered.

On the Dutch side, permits to start drilling were issued by State Secretary Johannes Alexander Vijlbrief on Wednesday (1 June).

Since Gazprom announced it would stop supplying gas to the Netherlands on Tuesday (31 May) after Dutch wholesaler GasTerra refused to bow to the Kremlin’s demand to pay in roubles for fear of breaching EU sanctions, the Dutch want the process to speed up.

However, on the German side, the state of Lower Saxony, which decided against issuing permits for the projects last year, “is now making a different decision because of the war in Ukraine”, the Dutch ministry said.

Source: EURACTIV

“Days Of Good Wind” Conference To Be Held On The 2nd And 3rd Of June In Dubrovnik

01.06.2022

Dani-dobroga-vjetra-2022-800x469 — Foto: Promo / Dani dobrog vetra

More than 250 participants from Croatia, countries in the region and Europe, are coming to Dubrovnik for the “Days of Good Wind” conference, being held from June 2nd to 3rd, and organized by Renewable Energy Sources Croatia – announced the association.

At the conference where “wind creates synergy”, during the presentations and panels the guests can expect the latest information from the RES sector and wind energy development, as well as networking – the statement said.

The conference will be opened by Maja Pokrovac, Director of Res Croatia. Giles Dickson, Director of WindEurope, will greet the participants for the first time as a guest at the conference, and Dubrovnik Mayor Mate Frankovic, Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Nikola Dobroslavic and State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Ivo Milatic will also address the audience.

Registration with the acquisition of accreditation starts on Thursday, June 2, at 2.30 pm, and the official opening of the conference is scheduled for 4.30 pm.

Source: eKapija

Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector operational from 1 July

31.05.2022

gas_pipeline_gasovod — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Quinten de Graaf)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Danil Sorokin)

The gas connection between Bulgaria and Greece will start operating on 1 July, with Bulgaria poised to receive one billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan – enough to meet the country’s needs during summer, with prices expected to be lower than Russian gas.

The launch of the gas interconnector became possible after the Bulgarian and Greek energy regulators took a joint decision to licence the gas connection operator – ICGB. The decision was fast-tracked due to the war in Ukraine, which has led to the suspension of Gazprom’s gas supplies to Bulgaria. Authorities in Sofia have rejected Russian demands to change contracts and pay for natural gas in rubles.

The gas connection with Greece will be of key importance for the security of gas supplies and the formation of favorable prices for consumers in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian energy regulator commented. Azeri gas is delivered through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TANAP), which passes through Turkey and Greece and reaches Italy.

The gas interconnector allows the transfer of three billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas with the possibility of increasing to five bcm when installing more powerful compressor stations, Half of the capacity of the gas connection is reserved by Bulgarga, and the remaining capacity will be traded on the open market.

The launch of the interconnector is a success for Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

In July, Bulgaria expects two liquefied natural gas deliveries from the US at prices lower than Gazprom’s. All this means that at least until the beginning of the heating season in the autumn, Bulgaria will have provided the necessary gas supplies and sufficient supplies for at least partial filling of the gas storage in Chiren.

At the end of April, Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria. The government in Sofia has refused to comply with a demand from Moscow to open a ruble account with Gazprom Bank to pay for gas supplies because the contract pays in dollars. Russia does not give any guarantees at what rate it will convert dollars into roubles, which threatens Bulgaria’s energy security, the government said.

Russian gas was also cut off for Poland and Finland, as they also refused to open ruble accounts.

Source: EURACTIV.com/EURACTIV.bg

What You Need to Know About Stockholm+50

30.05.2022

stockholm-2082591_960_720 — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

On 2 and 3 June 2022, world leaders and representatives from government, business, international organizations, civil society and youth will gather in Sweden for Stockholm+50 – an international meeting to drive action towards a healthy planet for the prosperity of all.

The event comes at a crucial time as the Earth is in emergency mode, and urgent action is needed to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

What is the triple planetary crisis?

The triple planetary crisis consists of three interlinked issues threatening human and environmental health: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

The climate crisis is causing more frequent extreme weather events such as storms and droughts, which worsen food and water scarcity. Research shows that to stave off a climate catastrophe, the world must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to reach net-zero by 2050.

Human activities have modified 77 per cent of land (excluding Antarctica) and 87 per cent of the ocean. More than 2 billion hectares of land is degraded due to overuse or mismanagement. and one million species face extinction.

Air pollution, the greatest environmental threat to public health globally, accounts for an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year. 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enter our ocean every year. At the same time, we produce 50 million tons of e-waste.

Source: UNEP

ABB Acquires Controlling Interest in India’s Numocity

30.05.2022

ABB announced that its E-mobility division has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Numocity, a leading digital platform for electric vehicle charging in India. ABB will increase its shareholding to a controlling majority of 72 percent and has the right to become sole owner by 2026. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The transaction is part of ABB E-mobility’s overall growth strategy and will significantly improve its position across India, as well as South East Asia and the Middle East – target regions for Numocity given increasing demand for charging solutions for two and three-wheelers, cars and light commercial vehicles.

Founded in 2018 and based in Bangalore, India, Numocity is a market leader in India’s EV charging sector, offering a cloud-based digital platform that allows consumers and fleet operators to use a network of fixed chargers or battery swapping solutions on a “pay as you go” basis. The platform is also able to monitor the impact of energy use on the electricity grid. ABB already made an initial investment of seven percent as part of seed stage venture capital funding three years ago.

Frank Muehlon, CEO of ABB E-mobility said: “We are delighted to expand our presence in the burgeoning Indian market, while also enlarging our offering in EV charging infrastructure. Zero-emission mobility will play a key role in the Indian government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, while the wider region is a hotbed of digital expertise.”

Ravikiran Annaswamy, CEO of Numocity, added: “Our dedicated team is proud to be expanding its cooperation with ABB to offer secure, stable and seamless digital platforms for the monetization and management of EV energy infrastructure.”

ABB is a world leader in EV charging solutions and the partner of choice for the world’s biggest electric vehicle OEMs and nationwide EV charging network operators, having sold more than 680,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets; over 30,000 DC fast chargers and 650,000 AC chargers, including those sold through Chargedot.

More information on Numocity is available under: www.numocity.com

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

Source: ABB

EBRD and Donors Help Sarajevo to Become a Greener City

28.05.2022

panorama-Sarajevo — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (Jashta)

Sarajevo is a city of contrasts. It is home to both western and oriental architecture; it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests but suffers from worrying air pollution; its history is troubled but its people possess incredible spirit and humour.

However, the city is evolving. Several construction sites around Sarajevo – from extensions to tram tracks to refurbished public buildings – are changing the landscape and lifting spirits because people can see the city is investing in its future. Thanks to these developments, Sarajevo will be more resilient and sustainable, with improved environmental and living conditions.

Many of these developments started a few years ago when Sarajevo joined the EBRD’s Green Cities Programme. The initiative supports cities in identifying and planning priority projects that can help them become greener and more sustainable. The EBRD also provides financing for such investments, often co-financed with grants by the European Union (EU), and other donors.

Better public transport

Air pollution in Sarajevo is a huge concern. It can reach hazardous levels, especially during the winter. So to reduce traffic congestion and pollution the city is encouraging people to use public transport instead of private cars. This is done through much-needed investment in the transport network, which will make services faster and more efficient.

For example, 35 new trolleybuses will arrive in the city by the end of 2022, financed by EBRD and European Investment Bank (EIB) loans. In fact, they will be the first new trolleybuses that the city has purchased since the Winter Olympics 38 years ago.

These new zero-emission trolleybuses can run on a battery and can produce and store enough energy to run without charging for 20 hours.

The tram network is also being improved. New and extended tracks will allow the roll-out of faster and more modern trams and connect some new districts in the city where the tram service didn’t previously exist.

Energy efficiency in public buildings

The student accommodation block Nedzarici is hidden behind scaffolding, and around 20 builders are working to finish renovations by June. They will replace old windows with 380 new energy efficient ones, install thermal insulation on external walls and replace old lighting with efficient new bulbs. All this will help reduce the energy needed to heat the building while making it more comfortable for the students who live there.

The student block is one of 40 buildings in the city that will be renovated as part of this project, financed with an EUR 8 million EBRD loan and a EUR 2 million European Union (EU) grant. The investments will cover 29 schools and related facilities, 6 kindergartens, 3 student blocks and 2 outpatient clinics. The energy savings are estimated to be around 13.7 GWh, resulting in CO2 reduction equal to removing around 1000 cars from the street.

Improved water supply

Another way Sarajevo is becoming greener is by improving its water supply. A EUR 25 million EBRD loan and EUR 4 million grant from the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework have allowed the city to modernise its water and sewerage infrastructure. This will help reduce water leaks in the network and secure more efficient and reliable water and wastewater services in the canton of Sarajevo.

“We are truly proud of our joint work with Sarajevo canton and the progress they have made since joining our Green Cities programme, taking advantage of all the opportunities on offer. We are already investing in the eight project with the Canton and once completed these projects will have a remarkable impact on the city environment,” explains Manuela Naessl, EBRD Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Investing in the green economy remains one of our key strategic priorities and the EBRD and its donors stand ready to provide finance and support for it. We look forward to developing new projects including a renewable energy district heating system, which we are currently exploring.”

Green City projects in Sarajevo are supported by the European Union, Austria, Japan, Central European Initiative, Italy and the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

Source: EBRD

IRENA Members Launch New Framework On Project Facilitation

27.05.2022

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held its first meeting of the “Collaborative Framework on Project Facilitation to Support the Energy Transition,” a platform bringing together public, private, intergovernmental, and non-governmental bodies to support the development and finance of renewable energy projects.

Throughout the virtual meeting there was a high degree of engagement as members and states in accession discussed priority issues, objectives, collaborative processes and a proposed way forward for the Agency’s work on project facilitation and support.

“This exciting and timely Collaborative Framework is IRENA’s response to the recommendations provided by our members to amplify the Agency’s project facilitation efforts,” IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said in his opening address.

Since the creation of its Project Facilitation and Support Division in 2020, IRENA has undertaken significant work to operationalise the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), which aims to mobilise capital to scale-up renewable energy deployment in developing countries. This is complemented by the efforts undertaken by the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF), a financing platform to support the global uptake of renewable energy by addressing the financing gaps of the sector, established in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

“The new Collaborative Framework will explore how IRENA can further tailor its existing support to address funding hurdles through project-level interventions. This requires the participation of all relevant stakeholders, such as regulators, policymakers, ministries and other government agencies,” Mr. La Camera added. Quoting IRENA’s flagship World Energy Transitions Outlook, the Director-General further noted that the 1.5°C scenario requires investments of USD 5.7 trillion per year until 2030. IRENA estimates that the USD 0.7 trillion in annual investments in fossil fuels should be redirected towards energy transition technologies.

The first kick-off event was moderated by Dr. Mohamed El-Khayat, Executive Chairman of Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority. Complimenting IRENA’s role in accelerating energy transition through initiatives like CIP and ETAF, Dr El Khayat said, “The Collaborative Framework will hopefully identify other types of support and assistance that can be rendered to facilitate the development and finance of renewable energy projects.”

Highlighting the challenges in mobilising investment and finance for clean energy projects, IRENA’s Director of Project Facilitation and Support, Ahmed Badr, said it typically takes years to bring a project to commercial operation. “Even with a well-prepared project, it takes at least two years to achieve financial closure. IRENA plays a crucial role by reducing the transaction time and cost due to its involvement of relevant stakeholders and by ensuring that project developers present the right information to the right financier,” he added.

Michael Paunescu, Deputy Director Policy, Renewable and Electrical Energy Division, Natural Resources Canada, underlined the importance of capacity building in scaling up the deployment of renewable energy projects. “A key element in the mitigation of climate change is capacity building in renewable energy technologies in developing countries. Through its Project Facilitation and Support division, IRENA has played a key role in the deployment of renewable energy, particularly in the developing countries. We support and commend the creation of this Collaborative Framework and we see it as an essential tool to support project facilitation.”

Based on proposals by IRENA, members agreed to the general principles and the processes needed for participation, reporting and high-level meetings of the Collaborative Framework. Austria and Egypt were unanimously elected as co-facilitators.

Source: IRENA

European Commission And International Energy Agency In A Common Bid To Reduce EU Reliance On Russian Fossil Fuels

26.05.2022

The European Commission and the International Energy Agency are joining forces to help EU countries reduce their reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

By strengthening investments in clean energy and energy efficiency, the project aims to mitigate the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the EU energy sector.

In the framework of this common endeavour, the Commission is offering support to Member States to reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuels through the Technical Support Instrument. 17 EU countries have already joined the project. This support is in line with the REPowerEU Plan presented by the Commission on 18 May, outlining how to phase out EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the clean energy transition.

The cooperation with the IEA will cover seven areas: supply and diversification of liquefied natural gas; production of biomethane; stepping up international trade in hydrogen; acceleration of rooftop solar and heat pumps roll-out; demand-side measures and energy efficiency; faster permitting of renewable projects; innovative hydrogen and renewables solutions for industry.

It will include workshops, meetings, analysis, and data tracking by the International Energy Agency.

The first workshop, on 24 May, focused on supporting the uptake of demand-side and energy efficiency measures. The workshop was attended by representatives of the Member States participating in the project, the Commission, IEA and by industry stakeholders.

Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director, said: “The sense of determination across Europe to move rapidly away from Russian fossil fuels is impressive and inspiring. Clean energy technologies offer the best solutions to deal with the energy affordability and security crises we are witnessing today while also making progress in the fight against climate change. The IEA is very pleased to be working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help them accelerate the shift to a more secure and sustainable energy future.”

Mario Nava, Director-General for Structural Reform Support, said: “Meeting the target of cutting our energy reliance on third countries’ fossil fuels requires to mobilise all available means. Member States can rely on the Commission’s help through the Technical Support instrument and we are very pleased to work with a knowledgeable partner such as the International Energy Agency to reach that important goal.”

Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, said: “The recently adopted REPowerEU plan brings actions and resources to shed EU dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports as quickly as possible, by advancing our clean energy transition and becoming more efficient in the way we consume energy, boosting our European Green Deal efforts. Supported by investments and reforms, we have a robust roadmap to follow. Member States’ engagement, solidarity and cooperation are crucial in the process.”

Background

In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission and the IEA have maintained a close dialogue surrounding the energy market turmoil and energy security.

On 21 March 2022, in the aftermath of Russia’s aggression to Ukraine, the Commission launched a dedicated call inviting Member States to express their interest in receiving technical support.

In April 2022, the Commission and the IEA published a joint Report ‘Playing my part’ to raise European citizens’ awareness of the benefits of energy savings and the importance of putting energy efficiency at the heart of planning and investment. According to this joint report, by actively carrying out these practical steps both at home and in the workplace, EU citizens can contribute to saving 220 million barrels of oil a year, and around 17 billion cubic metres of gas.

Source: IEA

Achieving the Community Goals Through Investments in Energy Efficiency

25.05.2022

Situated in the heart of Serbia and surrounded by the mountains Jelica, Ovčar, Kablar, and Vujan, Čačak is a city proud of its rich history. As one of the largest cities in our country, it develops and progresses on a daily basis. Only a few kilometers from Čačak, visitors from all over Serbia and the region can find attractions like spas, monasteries, cultural and historical monuments, meanders of the West Morava, rich flora, and fauna.

The people of Čačak are extremely proud of their land, mild-tempered and hardworking. They are willing to make their home place even a better place to live. As such, they know that roots of everything begin at home, so it does not come as a surprise that they are not only very keen to learn how to make the energy improvements of their homes but also what kind of air they breathe and how much they can do to protect the environment. We were hosted by the mayor of Čačak, Mr Milun Todorović, and talked about the ongoing projects, plans for the future, and how much is being invested in environmental protection.

EP: The city of Čačak was allocated 10 million RSD subsidies for the procurement of solar panels. What is the next step, and when will the public call be announced?

Milun Todorović: After selecting the companies that will install solar panels, we will announce a public call for endusers, i.e., citizens. After the deadline for citizens to apply, the relevant panel will pay a visit to households registered, make records, evaluate, and rank applicants according to the conditions stipulated in the public call and the Rulebook, and finally award contracts to end-users who will receive subsidies. Citizens are very interested in installing solar panels. It is clear that this is a significant saving of money for every household that would decide on this move, so that a large number of them, according to my associates, either come to the City Administration every day or inquire about the public call by phone. We are not giving up on these goals in the future, so the City of Čačak will allocate funds to subsidize projects to improve energy efficiency. Subsidies will be intended for the installation of solar panels, replacement of the thermal insulation of the building, replacement of facade, as well as for the replacement of heating boilers in households.

In focus:

EP: How much money will be invested in energy efficiency projects in Čačak?

Milun Todorović: This year, almost one million euros will be invested in Čačak through projects aimed to improve energy efficiency, specifically in replacing household carpentry and installing solar panels. The funds allocated to Čačak for this purpose by the relevant ministry are among the highest of all local governments in Serbia. The city treasury will allocate another RSD 50 million from two budgetary lines, and we will get the same amount from the Government. With an additional ten million dinars for installing solar panels, the amount spent on improving energy efficiency in Čačak will reach one million EUR. The interest of our fellow citizens is high on our list of priorities, and the interest in this matter is extremely high. All citizens will be able to take part in the call, with the criteria determined by the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

EP: Air pollution is part of our everyday life. What is the situation in Čačak in that respect? What is the city’s air quality, and how do you measure it?

Milun Todorović: The City of Čačak has intensified its efforts to develop a mobile application that will serve citizens to monitor the air pollution level within the city limits, using data from 11 sensor locations. In this way, the citizens of Čačak will monitor the air quality at all times. The Čačak Public Health Institute provides great support to the local authorities in this matter. It will, in accordance with the measured values, give adequate recommendations via media about the parts of the day when citizens should stay indoors due to high air pollution. Subsidies for replacing carpentry, thermal insulation, gasification of households will significantly contribute to lowering pollution. I must emphasize that the City of Čačak measures air pollution levels on high-frequency roads. We still don’t have the average value, but we measure directly in the most frequent places regarding public traffic. It is very important to mention that during October 2021 we officially commissioned the gas boiler room at a local school “Vuk Karadžić” to shut down the last boiler room in this part of the city that used oil, fuel oil, and coal as fuel. The next thing to look into is the possibility of shutting down old-generation natural gas boilers where possible. By switching to the supply from the new energy-efficient plant and connecting to the primary hot water network instead of the old system, significant savings will be achieved, and the strictest environmental standards will be met. Only then can we expect significantly better air quality. We have replaced all heat sources owned by the City of Čačak, and managed by PUC “Čačak”, moving on from the less environmentally friendly fuels to natural gas.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

Macedonian Energy Regulator Joins ACER’s Electricity Working Group

25.05.2022

On 23 May, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the Energy and Water Services Commission of North Macedonia (ERC) signed an agreement that formalizes ERC’s participation in ACER’s electricity working group. This follows an assessment of the Energy Community Secretariat on compliance of North Macedonia with Third Package requirements in the electricity sector and regulatory independence as well on environmental, competition, climate and renewables performance.

The President of ERC and the Energy Community Regulatory Board, Marko Bislimoski, underlined: “We feel very privileged to join EU regulatory discussions on electricity, as only the second Energy Community Contracting Party regulator to do so. The direct knowledge exchange with our European counterparts will allow us to further strengthen electricity market integration with our EU neighbours”.

Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski said: “ERC’s participation in ACER’s electricity working structures is a much deserved achievement that reflects the regulator’s continuous efforts to drive electricity market reform pro-actively and independently. This is pivotal for making energy markets fit for decarbonisation and securing affordable energy”.

Source: Energy Community

Global Electric Car Sales Have Continued Their Strong Growth in 2022 After Breaking Records Last Year

24.05.2022

car-auto-punjenje-električni — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Electric car sales powered through 2021 and have remained strong so far in 2022, but ensuring future growth will demand greater efforts to diversify battery manufacturing and critical mineral supplies to reduce the risks of bottlenecks and price rises, according to the International Energy Agency.

Sales of electric cars (including fully electric and plug-in hybrids) doubled in 2021 to a new record of 6.6 million, with more now sold each week than in the whole of 2012, according to the latest edition of the annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook.

Despite strains along global supply chains, sales kept rising strongly into 2022, with 2 million electric cars sold worldwide in the first quarter, up by three-quarters from the same period a year earlier. The number of electric cars on the world’s roads by the end of 2021 was about 16.5 million, triple the amount in 2018.

In China, electric car sales nearly tripled in 2021 to 3.3 million, accounting for about half of the global total. Sales also grew strongly in Europe (increasing by 65 per cent to 2.3 million) and the United States (more than doubling to 630 000). Chinese electric cars are typically smaller than in other markets. Alongside lower manufacturing costs, this has significantly reduced the price gap with traditional cars.

The median price of an electric car in China was only 10 per cent more than that of conventional offerings, compared with 45 per cent to 50 per cent on average in other major markets. By contrast, electric car sales are lagging in most emerging and developing economies where only a few models are often available and at prices that are unaffordable for mass-market consumers.

Sustained policy support has been one of the main reasons for strong electric car sales in many markets, with overall public spending on subsidies and incentives doubling in 2021 to nearly USD 30 billion. A growing number of countries have ambitious vehicle electrification targets for the coming decades, and many carmakers have plans to electrify their fleets that go beyond policy targets. Five times more electric car models were available globally in 2021 than in 2015, and the number of available models reached 450 by the end of 2021.

Source: IEA

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