Cyprus proceeds with its energy plans, Energy Minister says - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CYPRUS/Nicosia 28/10/2018 14:00 

The Republic of Cyprus will proceed with its energy plans, exactly as foreseen, Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis has said. 

Asked if the Republic of Cyprus has taken any steps to address Turkish provocations in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone, he said that the necessary measures have been taken in cooperation with the companies that have drilling licenses and the countries they come from.

The Republic of Cyprus will continue implementing its energy plans, exactly as foreseen, he concluded.

Energy ministry aims for LNG by 2020 - CYPRUS MAIL

September 29, 2017

Evie Andreou

The government aims to bring liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Cyprus by 2020 for cheaper and cleaner energy, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Stelios Himonas said on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Limassol, on LNG, Himonas said that studies carried out under two programmes will contribute to the realization of the country’s energy goals and the arrival of natural gas in Cyprus.

Italy’s energy strategy - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

July 2, 2017
Charles Ellinas

After going through an extensive public consultation process, Italy published its Energy Strategy earlier this month. It provides a framework for future energy developments in Italy with four key goals as follows:

• Reduce energy costs and spending
• Achieve environmental goals in line with COP21 and EU targets
• Improve security of supply and system flexibility
• Develop the energy sector.

It covers the period to 2030 and is expected to bring Italy’s Energy Strategy in line with the latest climate and energy plans and objectives approved at the European and international level.

Given Italy’s interest in East Med gas and its importance to the regions energy future,
I cover its new Energy Strategy in detail in this article.

What Israel can learn from Norway - GLOBES

27/10/2016, 18:30
Aharon (Orni) Izakson

Norway's experience in managing its oil and gas revenues and building its energy industry should guide Israeli policy makers.
It was reported recently that in an offering of shares and warrants by Israel Discount Bank (TASE: DSCT), Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, bought shares to the tune of NIS 200 million, and holds 2.6% of the Israeli bank. Norges Bank manages the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, the Government Pension Fund Global, worth some $890 billion, deriving from oil and gas profits. The fund's capital is being kept for a rainy day, such as when Norway's oil and gas reserves are depleted. The Norwegian government is allowed to include in its annual budget up to 4% of the value of the fund's holdings.

Cyprus funding, budget, natural gas, EC and Turkey on agenda of EP plenary - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE / CNA

Monday, 24 October, 2016

The plenary session of the European Parliament, that convenes this week in Strasbourg, is expected to vote on prolonging top-up in EU funding for projects in Cyprus.

The members of the European Parliament are expected to vote on Tuesday on a special provision whereby the EU would pay up to 85% of project costs in Cyprus until the closure of the 2014-2020 programmes.

They will also vote on plans to prolong a 10% increase in the EU contribution towards project costs in Greece until 30 June of the year following the end of its economic adjustment programme.

Turkey's Generators Face Problems of Price - NATURAL GAS EUROPE

February 22nd, 2016

Electricity prices do not make happy reading for gas-fired power producers in Turkey nowadays.

A surge in renewable generation, slowing demand and the impact of falling commodity prices have all contributed to pare the spot price for the last 14 months.

The story is not dissimilar to what has been happening in European power markets in recent years where renewable generation is gradually displacing thermal production, depressing power prices. The difference is that in Turkey there is a pressing need for more gas generation because of the pending expiry of contracts for public-private gas-fired plants.

But just as 5 GW of thermal plants built under the so-called build-own-operate and build-own-transfer (BOO/BOT) partnerships some 20 years ago are to be phased out in 2018/2019, there are also growing fears that Russia may act on its threats to discontinue the transit of gas through Ukraine to dependent countries by 2019.

How Bibi’s Gas Plan’ Will Ruin Israel’s Air Quality | Haaretz

Steinitz, left, with Netanyahu

Eytan Avriel Jan 19, 2016

The economy should undergo a conversion from filthy fossil fuels to clean, cheap, healthier gas. But that’s not going to happen.

As last week rolled to a close, oil tumbled, together with the globe’s stock markets, as people quaked at the thought of a Chinese economic meltdown, and also because of the crude being stockpiled in every available nook and cranny of the world.

As far as Israel is concerned, this situation has its good sides, and its bad sides. A global economic slowdown would hurt us too by weakening our exports. But a decrease in energy prices could only be a good thing because the gasoline and heating oil that Israel must import would cost less. Almost every manufacturing plant will be saving money.