Month: January 2018

The strategy of energy companies: how to develop it today? 4 December 2017 Eric Morel The processes of strategic analysis have developed in recent decades on simple fundamentals: – Understand your environment – Assess your strengths and weaknesses – Quantify the issues – Choose the right positioning But are these pillars sufficient? Are conventional approaches to strategic analysis still adapted to the world of energy? Two evolutions of the energy systems seem important to me to answer to these questions. First of all, the energy systems and offers are no longer defined in a sort of top-down logic by monopolistic energy providers. Rather, they emerge from the convergence, more or less organized, of two major types of initiatives: on the one hand, top-down initiatives still pushed by national actors and by…

Parliament ready to pave the way for the construction of Vlora Airport The Parliamentary Commission of Production Activities has given its authorization to the government to open negotiations for the construction of Vlora Airport. In his speech at the Commission, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri stressed that the companies involved are serious and that contract expected to be signed will be based on correct grounds. Gjiknuri added that the construction of this airport is a private financing worth 100 million euros, adding that it is a necessity for the market, and in addition it is expected to create some 1000 new jobs. “The airport will bring a remarkable development potential not only for the Novosela area, but also for the Vlora municipality, Fier municipality, because we know…

Solar advice: Leave installing and maintenance to the experts! 1/29/18 The installation of the components and equipment should under any circumstances be executed by trained technicians. These technicians and planners are familiar with meteorological and regional circumstances and often have already fitted similar systems and buildings. HS Solar battery installation: Never stop a winning team! A crucial point: You can tell a good installation company – apart from their references – by the fact that beyond implementation and lightning protection, they also offer to take care of maintenance right from the start. No liability, no insurance Also, good installation companies strive to be on good terms with their suppliers. That can only be beneficial to solar customers. Very often it is impossible to get an insurance or liability for your…

German think tank proposes cost reduction plan for local RES growth An EU guarantee programme could significantly reduce financing costs related to developing Europe’s renewable energy potential and enable further penetration of renewable energy in central and southeast Europe, German think tank Agora Energiewende, promoting energy transition, has supported in a study. The group’s proposed European Renewable Energy Cost Reduction Facility would enable EU member states with high investment risks, such as Greece, to achieve national targets as their risk levels would be restricted to levels such as those of Germany and France. This risk reduction would be achieved by shifting the enforcement risk for a specific tariff commitment from the renewable energy project developer to the EU Cost Reduction Facility. Agora Energiewende proposes introducing this facility in 2020 with EU budget support.…

Solar advice: Put your insurance company to the test! 1/25/18 Solar installations and storage units are usually not covered by building insurance, because they are not part of the building structure. For that reason, it is important to take out specific insurance when buying a PV system and a solar battery. E3/DC Check your insurance partner whether you can trust him or not. There is insurance for people (health, retirement, long-term care, accident, travel abroad, liability and life insurance), cars, household appliances as well as technical products and real estate. Actually, there is insurance for everything. For solar and energy storage systems, too. But what is a good policy for solar? An all-risk policy This should be an all-risk policy making reference to reduced yield of the solar generators and…

RES auctions seen offering 2,600 MW between 2018 and 2020, starting June A total capacity of 2,600 MW will be offered at wind and PV energy RES auctions between 2018 and 2020, according to a proposal prepared by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, based on a new EU framework for renewable energy requiring auctions. RAE is aiming for greater grid penetration by the RES sector, which would help the country achieve its CO2 emission targets, and a minimalization of renewable energy costs, covered by consumers through the RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge, RAE official Dionysis Papahristou told a conference held yesterday by the authority. A pilot auction staged a little over a year ago, offering photovoltaic capacity, was instrumental in the shaping of the new RES auctions, the RAE official noted. Prices were driven extremely low, for Greek standards,…

Getting access to finance for renewable energy projects January 26, 2018 The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is welcoming applications for renewable energy projects in developing countries. Within the framework of the ADFD-funded USD 350 million IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, the current funding round of USD 50 million in concessional loans marks the sixth of seven annual cycles. Since the announcement in 2014 of the first funding cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, this unique partnership has continued to support replicable, scalable and economically feasible renewable energy projects in developing countries. This new funding cycle provides greater opportunity for developing countries to access low-cost capital for renewable energy projects to drive the energy transformation and achieve sustainable development. Funding from ADFD, provided through…

Albania seeks investors for shuttered Ballsh, Fier refineries HOUSTON, Jan. 19 01/19/2018 By Robert Brelsford OGJ Downstream Technology Editor The Albanian government said it is willing to lend its full support to any private initiative that would redevelop Ionian Refining & Trading Co.’s (IRTC) recently shuttered 20,000-b/d Ballsh and 10,000-b/d Fier refineries in eastern Albania. Albania’s government remains committed to detail to support any serious investor who will come up with a project for business development in Ballsh and Fier refineries, or a bid from an investor to develop a business plan in the sector, involving restart of both refineries, Arben Ahmetaj, Albania’s minister of finance and economy (MOEI) said in a release. The statement follows in the wake of the shutdown of both refineries in late 2017 due to a lack of…