A new nuclear power plant, thought to be the newest in the world, is set to become operational in Belarus this summer, despite continuing fierce opposition from neighbouring Lithuania. The facility, called Astravyets, just 45 kilometres from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and is set to go online this month with one principle aim being to…
Poland’s largest oil refiner, PKN Orlen, declared its preliminary readiness for direct financial involvement in the construction of the 1GW Ostroleka-C coal power project only if it is converted into a gas unit. The announcement by PKN Orlen, which only last month acquired EnergaSa – one of the companies behind the Ostroleka C project, means…
Ukraine, like other European countries, is experiencing a crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In the energy sector, this is reflected by a significant decline in electricity consumption. However, the situation is further compounded by an ongoing systemic crisis in the sector. Even before the Coronavirus outbreak Ukraine’s energy sector was facing enormous challenges, with…
A huge scandal is brewing in the Ukrainian energy sector. The new acting Minister of Energy Olga Buslavets has proposed to solve all problems of the industry by reducing the operation of nuclear power plants. To this end, an order was issued to the State owned nuclear power producer Energoatom to put a complete stop…
Cost-effectiveness is not a determining factor for allocating public funding to energy efficiency measures in residential buildings, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors. Despite improved guidance from the European Commission, EU-funded projects still do not focus on achieving the greatest potential energy savings per euro invested. The overall contribution of…
Austria has shut down its last coal-fired plant in Mellach (Styria) thereby ending its energy generation from coal. This makes Austria the eighth coal-free EU member state. The Mellach 246 MW coal plant was commissioned in 1986 and provided the city of Graz with heat. It has closed after this winter’s heating season. “The end of…
Located in Ben Guerir in Morocco’s central Rehamna Province, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University’s modern campus houses some 1400 students, of whom 200 are studying for a Master’s Degree. About 120 undergraduates and postgraduates come from neighbouring African countries, with a particular interest in agricultural studies. Although it is only 3 years old, the University…
Presenting their Report on “The European Power sector in 2019” today at the Brussels Press Club, the Berlin based consultancy “Agora” together with the UK-based climate think-tank “Sandbag” highlighted that the EU electricity sector emitted 12% less CO2 in 2019 than in the previous year. Renewables in electricity production in the EU rose to 35%,…
Ouarzazate in Morocco is known as the Hollywood of Africa, and famous for the filming of classics like David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. But in the modern era of climate change it has also gained fame and importance as the location of the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant and a centre of excellence…
Morocco has a target of achieving 52% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy production by 2030. But according to Tarik Hamane the Executive Director and Head of Development of Masen, the country is on track to exceed this target sooner than expected. “I cannot forecast exactly the margin by which we shall exceed our…
