September 23, 2025
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Romania risks blackouts if it shuts coal plants as scheduled

Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan claims that energy poverty or even blackouts could hit Romania if it proceeds with the closure of coal plants. Namely, the gas power projects for replacing them are suffering severe delays.

The European Commission has become flexible for the first time in the last four years, said Romania’s Minister of Energy Bogdan-Gruia Ivan. He has asked for a postponement of the deadline for shutting down a group of coal power plants.

They need to be closed by the end of the year. If the coal plants, run by state-owned Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) go before gas power plants Iernut and Mintia are commissioned, Romania is jeopardized, according to the minister.

Ivan told Digi24.ro he was negotiating with the European Commission on delaying the closure by “a few months.” Romgaz decided last week to cancel the contract with Duro Felguera, the contractor for the Iernut facility.

Energy poverty risk increasing

A study conducted with Romania’s transmission system operator Transelectrica has shown that Romania can otherwise end up in energy poverty and even risk a blackout, he underscored. “Especially in the winter, when we have no solar, when we have no wind power,” Minister Ivan explained.

Furthermore, Romania would like to keep three large coal units and another two in technical reserve for replacement them in case of damage, Ivan revealed. It would ensure a 1 GW minimum coal power supply, he asserted.

Romania requires at least 1 GW in baseload energy from coal for two more years, according to Minister Bogdan Ivan

Simulations showed that the group would need to operate for two years more, at least, until Iernut and Mintia are completed.

“We are pressed for time. We need to conclude contracts for next year. We need to conclude contracts for energy supply, contracts with suppliers, coal stocks. It is a complex of factors that must be organized very well from now on. It is already late, for Romania and for our energy companies,” Ivan stated.

Gas power projects in constant delay

Additionally, gas power plants Turceni (475 MW) and Ișalnița (850 MW) are supposed to replace some of the capacity in the Oltenia complex. The two projects suffered constant delays. The deadlines in the tenders for construction have been pushed back to September 30 and November 14, respectively.

Romania has received billions of euros from the European Union for gas power plants to substitute coal, the minister noted separately. He acknowledged that the projects are still on paper. That’s why today Romanians have almost the highest electricity price in Europe, Ivan claimed.

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September 10, 2025
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Romania preparing to include biomethane in gas grid

Romania has drafted a directive that would regulate the production, transportation and distribution of biomethane and its inclusion into the gas network. The change is aimed at limiting the increase in the prices of gas for household heating, expected from the upcoming introduction of the ETS 2 carbon allowance scheme in the European Union. Delaying the shift would also affect the costs of industrial production and for other non-household consumers of gas.

Biomethane produced from sustainable sources is carbon neutral under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), making it appropriate for buildings and transportation, the Romanian Ministry of Energy said in a new draft emergency ordinance. With the executive order, it intends to pave the way for utilizing the renewable fuel in the natural gas network, Profit.ro reported.

The document is set to amend several acts and regulate the production, transportation and distribution of biomethane. It would counter, to an extent, the increase in gas prices for households, which is expected from the expansion of the EU’s carbon pricing scheme to buildings and transportation, the ministry explained. Namely, ETS 2 is scheduled to be introduced in 2027.

Biomethane is usually obtained by processing biogas to get methane of the same purity as in fossil gas

Any delay in allowing biomethane in the existing grid draws a risk of increasing the costs of natural gas consumption, both for non-household and household customers, the accompanying note reads.

Biomethane is usually obtained by processing biogas to get methane of the same purity as in fossil gas. The gaseous biofuel can also be produced from clean hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The EU allows incentives for biomethane facilities. Some countries in Southeastern Europe, like Greece, are developing the legal framework for embracing the technology within their energy transition.

Share in gas network planned to reach 10% by 2050

Romania is planning a 5% share of biomethane in its natural gas network in 2030 and to double it by mid-century. The sectors of waste management and agriculture can produce an estimated 501,000 tons of oil equivalent in 2050.

The EU is imposing strict requirements on the removal of biodegradable organic matter from wastewater and the reduction of food waste, the ministry noted. Together with agricultural and organic municipal waste, they are the main raw materials for the production of biogas.

According to the proposal, publicly announced business plans can secure a share of renewable gases in the grid up to 1.5%. However, without an urgent legislative intervention, the investments can’t materialize, the Ministry of Energy warned. The draft directive would update the definitions of guarantees of origin, biogas, biomethane, natural gas, renewable gases and biomethane producers.

BSOG Energy, Engie Romania at forefront of upcoming biomethane investment wave

As for other developments in the segment, BSOG Energy (BSOGE), a subsidiary of Black Sea Oil and Gas, recently hired industrial services provider Bilfinger for a biomethane facility in Alba county in Transylvania.

Earlier, BSOGE said it would invest EUR 30 million in the construction of a biomethane plant. It has signed deals with milk producer DN Agrar Group for up to 15 MW in capacity, with the possibility of exceeding 20 MW in later stages.

In April, the firm partnered with Unigrains Trading in a project for a biomethane and organic fertilizer facility. They estimated the investment at EUR 65 million, for 57 MW of biomethane capacity and over 250,000 tons of organic fertilizers per year. Parent company BSOG is controlled by controlled by investment firm Carlyle.

Engie Romania launched plans a year ago with Heineken to build a biodigester for brewery waste

Last November, French-owned Engie Romania obtained the first license in the country for biogas and biomethane supply. Earlier it established a partnership with Heineken for decarbonization projects in three breweries in Romania, including heat pumps and one biodigestion system.

The firm is the largest supplier and distributor of natural gas in the country, as well as an electricity producer and supplier.

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August 15, 2025
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Kragujevac heating plant begins ash removal from disposal site in city center

District heating plant Energetika has begun removing coal ash from an uncovered disposal site that has been polluting air and soil for years in the heart of Kragujevac, Serbia’s fourth-largest city. The effort is part of a project financed by an EUR 18 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to decarbonize the local district heating system.

The ash from Kragujevac is transported to cement plants in Kosjerić and Popovac to be used in the production of cement and construction materials, in line with circular economy principles, according to Serbian Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov.

On the first day, about 75 tons of ash was removed from the site, with plans to transport a total of 60,000 tons over 24 months.

The ash will be used in cement production in Kosjerić and Popovac

Ash removal is the second phase of the district heating decarbonization project in Kragujevac. In the first phase, old boilers were replaced with gas-fired units, significantly reducing air pollution, according to Dejan Ružić, deputy mayor of Kragujevac. This marked the end of coal use in the city’s district heating system.

The EBRD approved the loan for the project in 2021. Of the total amount, EUR 14 million was earmarked for boiler replacement, together with up to EUR 4 million for ash removal.

In the first phase, coal-fired boilers were replaced with gas-fired units

The bank said at the time that gas-fired boilers would have a capacity of 110 MW and that CO2 emissions from district heating would be cut by an estimated 66%, with sulfur dioxide and particulate matter (PM) emissions eliminated.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has hired Novi Sad-based engineering and consultancy firm AG Institut to monitor the ash disposal services under a EUR 73.900 contract. The works are targeted for completion by July 15, 2027.

Aleksandar Lazović, general manager of the district heating plant, said the works would be carried out in line with the highest environmental standards, in a covered area, to prevent ash from dispersing into the environment.

District heating decarbonization in several Serbian cities

In June this year, Serbia and the EBRD signed a EUR 50 million loan to finance a series of air quality projects in Belgrade, Niš, Valjevo, Zaječar, Novi Pazar, and Smederevo, which had been mapped as cities with the largest excesses of harmful emissions.

The planned projects include replacing outdated boilers running on fuel oil, coal, and other air-polluting fuels with modern and sustainable heat energy sources, such as heat pumps, biomass, and industrial waste heat.

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July 9, 2025
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Market assessment underway for expansion of gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria

The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) natural gas pipeline is planned to be expanded to five billion cubic meters per year from three billion. The non-binding assessment phase is underway.

ICGB, the operator of the IGB interconnection, targets an expansion in technical annual capacity to five billion cubic meters per year from the current three billion. The company launched the non-binding phase of a process to assess market interest.

The procedure is conducted under Regulation (EU) 2017/459 (NC CAM), the network code on capacity allocation mechanisms for the sector. It marks a key step toward reinforcing long-term energy security in the region, ICGB pointed out.

Interested market participants are invited to submit their non-binding demand indications by September 1. All relevant documents and participation guidelines are available at ICGB’s public consultations page.

The market demand assessment also includes a binding phase, to determine the feasibility of the potential capacity increase. The process is being carried out in close coordination with adjacent gas transmission system operators (TSOs), according to the company.

Expanding IGB’s capacity is a strategic move for the entire region, the heads of ICGB pointed out

Expanding IGB’s capacity is a strategic move for the entire region, said ICGB’s executive officers George Satlas and Teodora Georgieva. “As the first route for diversified natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, IGB plays a critical role in ensuring secure, sustainable energy for Southeast Europe. We remain firmly committed to this process and to delivering enhanced connectivity and resilience across the region with our partners,” they added.

Following the current phase, ICGB and adjacent TSOs need to compile demand assessment reports for each interconnection point. They would form the basis for possible future steps, including project proposals, consultations and regulatory approval, the announcement reads.

Serbia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia largely depend on Russian gas, delivered through the TurkStream and Balkan Stream pipeline corridor. IGB and the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector enable access to Azerbaijani gas and Greece’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

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July 4, 2025
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Serbia, North Macedonia working on gas interconnector project

Serbia’s state gas company Srbijagas and North Macedonia’s gas transmission system operator Nomagas signed a memorandum of understanding expressing their intention to soon build a gas interconnector between the two countries. Srbijagas is also expected to present a plan for a gas interconnection with Romania.

The memorandum, signed by Srbijagas General Manager Dušan Bajatović and Nomagas Executive Director Muhamet Elmazi, confirms the pipeline’s border crossing point, an important step in preparing technical documentation and project implementation, according to a press release from Srbijagas.

The interconnector’s planned two-way capacity is 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The feasibility study, financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), is expected to be completed soon, according to a statement by Nomagas.

The interconnector’s planned capacity is 1.5 billion cubic meters

In North Macedonia, the interconnector would be connected to the existing Klečovce gas pipeline, and in Serbia, to a pipeline in Vranje that has already been built. Its total length would be approximately 70 kilometers – about 47 kilometers in Serbia and 23 kilometers in North Macedonia.

The memorandum reaffirms the political will expressed in a memorandum signed by the two countries’ relevant ministries in October 2024, particularly the importance of interconnecting energy markets, strengthening the security of gas supply, and diversifying supply routes, according to Srbijagas.

With this document, the two sides also declare their support for increased cooperation between Southeast European countries and the establishment of a regional energy market as part of the European Union’s internal energy market.

Serbia-Romania interconnector project to be presented in September

Srbijagas has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Romania’s national gas transmission system operator SNTGN Transgaz. On the sidelines of a meeting in Bucharest, the two companies’ top executives agreed to present a joint plan in September for a gas interconnection.

The project involves the construction of a new natural gas pipeline to link the BRUA pipeline in Romania with the Mokrin hub in Serbia. The plan is also expected to include the construction of a gas pipeline between Južni Mokrin and Belgrade, via the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage facility and the city of Pančevo, according to a press release from Srbijagas.

The Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector was put into trial operation at the end of 2023.

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June 26, 2025
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Greece to rely on carbon price, renewables potential in green hydrogen development

Despite early efforts to develop green hydrogen and its first regulatory framework, Greece finds itself on a steep curve.

The government has presented the first law on hydrogen and renewable gases in parliament. At the same time, refineries and other industries are working on projects that will determine green hydrogen’s cost-effectiveness.

However, a significant obstacle is the government’s unwillingness to support the new technology, either through subsidies or other financial instruments. The Ministry of Environment and Energy has specified that no upcoming technology would benefit from public funds. The goal is to maintain a low cost for the consumer during the energy transition.

According to Professor Pantelis Kapros from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), it means hydrogen will have to rely almost exclusively on the price of carbon. As the European Union’s European Trading System (EU ETS) is about to enter its second phase in 2026, the price of carbon allowances is projected to rise steeply.

Even so, market participants estimate that a ton of carbon dioxide equivalent would need to cost EUR 140, two times more than today, to make green hydrogen competitive against grey hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas.

Exports and power prices added to the equation

Regardless, Greece sees an opportunity to produce and export green hydrogen. The reason is its high renewables potential and production. The ever-increasing photovoltaic capacity has caused an overabundance of energy during the day. More demand is needed to balance the system and hydrogen can provide a way out.

Tsafos: We want to become a supplier

The hope is that the low renewable energy cost, combined with potential interest in shipping hydrogen abroad, will justify long-term investments.

“Our view is that as long as the market is interested, we want to become a supplier,” Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Nikos Tsafos said at the Hydrogen & Green Gases Forum in Athens.

A potential problem is that green hydrogen plants are not expected to be viable if they only produce during the day, when renewable energy prices are usually lower. “Ten hours of operation are not enough to support producers and there are also technical issues to solve,” said Dimitris Kardomateas, head of the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES).

He also pointed to the average daily wholesale power price, as it is higher in Greece than in most other European markets. It should be noted that electricity makes up about 70% of the total operating cost of electrolyzers.

Biomethane considered more mature

On the other hand, biomethane is considered much easier to develop.  The technology depends less on power prices and also faces fewer technical hurdles. “Biomethane has a clear role, especially through its ability to enter the gas network, and we want to utilize it”, said Tsafos.

Gas distribution company Enaon EDA emphasized its readiness to include biomethane in its network. Its CEO Barbara Morgante noted that a study is underway to pinpoint the various existing and planned biomethane production plants around the country, as well as their proximity to Enaon’s network.

Biomethane is usually obtained by processing biogas to get methane of the same purity as in fossil gas. The renewable fuel can also be produced from clean hydrogen and CO2.

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May 17, 2025
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Works beginning on North Macedonian side of gas interconnector with Greece

The North Macedonian section of the gas interconnector with Greece is expected to be completed by early 2027. The construction contract was signed by the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, domestic contractor Rapid Build and the country’s gas transmission system operator Nomagas.

The construction of the gas pipeline connecting North Macedonia with Greece is set to begin in a month, according to officials. Land expropriation is 90% complete. The initial capacity of the interconnector would be 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, with a potential to double it. The works are expected to be completed within 22 months.

„With the signing of the contract for the construction of the Macedonian section of the gas interconnector with Greece, we are marking the beginning of the largest energy investment in North Macedonia in the last ten years. The interconnector is proof that when there is political will, regional trust, and professional dedication – the results are real and tangible,” said Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska.

The contract was signed by the ministry, contractor Rapid bild, based in Kumanovo in North Macedonia, and the country’s gas transmission system operator Nomagas. The future pipeline would be able to carry both natural gas and hydrogen.

Repeated tender slashes price by EUR 12 million

The winning bid was EUR 59.9 million or EUR 12 million less than in the initial tender, which was annulled.

The project is worth over MKD 5.1 billion (EUR 82.9 million). It is financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It includes grants of EUR 2.5 million for technical assistance and another EUR 9.9 million via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The project is financed by the EIB and EBRD

„This contract ensures diversification and access to a greater number of natural gas sources, enables economic development, progress and environmental protection, and contributes to the security of energy supply,” said Executive Director of Nomagas Muhamet Elmazi.

Gasification would significantly improve air quality, especially in areas where wood and fuel oil are currently used for heating.

Greek section of interconnector under construction since February

On the North Macedonian side, the interconnector route is 68 kilometers long, out of a total of 123 kilometers. It will run from Nea Mesimvria in Greece through Evzoni (Mačukovo) and Gevgelija at the border, to Negotino. The next phase involves building gas links from Gostivar to Kičevo (34 kilometers) and from Sveti Nikole to Veles (28 kilometers).

Greek company Terna began constructing its country’s section of the pipeline in February.

Nomagas and Greece’s National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) made their final investment decision a year and a half ago.

The companies leaned the investment on the project for the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal. The liquefied natural gas facility in northeastern Greece was opened on October 1. However, due to a malfunction, it has been out of operation for more than three months. According to the latest update, gradual reactivation is expected to begin by the end of May.

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May 8, 2025
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EU outlines measures to end Russian gas, oil imports by end-2027

The European Commission set out a plan to phase out by the end of 2027 the purchases of Russian natural gas, including in the form of LNG, and oil. The package includes proposals aiming to replace Russian nuclear fuel and materials as well.

The European Union will end its dependency on Russian energy by stopping the import of Russian gas and oil and phasing out Russian nuclear energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices, the European Commission said. Its new REPowerEU Roadmap targets full energy independence from Russia.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU was lowering the share of Russian fossil fuels under the REPowerEU plan and via sanctions. However, Russian gas imports rebounded last year by 18%, led by Italy, Czechia and France. The commissioners argued that the “overdependency on Russian energy imports is a security threat” and called for new coordinated actions.

Von der Leyen: It is now time for Europe to completely cut off its energy ties with an unreliable supplier

“The war in Ukraine has brutally exposed the risks of blackmail, economic coercion and price shocks. With REPowerEU, we have diversified our energy supply and drastically reduced Europe’s former dependency on Russian fossil fuels. It is now time for Europe to completely cut off its energy ties with an unreliable supplier. And energy that comes to our continent should not pay for a war of aggression against Ukraine. We owe this to our citizens, to our companies and to our brave Ukrainian friends,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated.

The volumes of imported Russian gas fell to last year’s 52 billion cubic meters from 150 billion in 2021. The share of Russian gas imports dropped from 45% to 19%. All imports of the country’s coal have been banned by sanctions. Russian oil imports have shrunk from 27% at the beginning of 2022 to the current 3%.

Member states need to roll out national plans by end-2025

The new measures have been designed to preserve the security of energy supply while limiting any impact on prices and markets. They would be applied in parallel to advancing the energy transition.

“Last year we in the EU paid EUR 23 billion to Russia for our energy imports. That is EUR 1.8 billion per month. This needs to stop,” European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen stressed.

The administration in Brussels expects to replace up to 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas by 2030, which means a decrease in demand by 40-50 billion by 2027. It sees an increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacities by 200 billion cubic meters by 2028, which is five times more than current EU imports of Russian gas. The EU still hasn’t imposed sanctions on Russian LNG.

Member states will be asked to prepare national plans by the end of this year, the announcement reveals. All the measures will be accompanied by continuous efforts to accelerate the energy transition and diversify energy supplies, including via the aggregation of gas demand and a better use of infrastructure, according to the document.

Administration in Brussels intends to tackle Russian shadow tanker fleet carrying oil

The European Commission said the proposed measures would improve the transparency, monitoring and traceability of Russian gas.

“Crucially, new contracts with suppliers of Russian gas (pipeline and LNG) will be prevented, and existing spot contracts will be stopped by the end of 2025. This measure will ensure that already by the end of this year, the EU will have slashed by one third remaining supplies of Russian gas. The commission will further propose to stop all remaining imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027,” the plan reads.

Under the roadmap, the commission will put forward new actions to address Russia’s shadow fleet transporting oil. It said the vessels are circumventing sanctions and the international oil price cap.

EU depends on Russia for quarter of its uranium conversion, enrichment needs

As regards nuclear, the proposals coming next month cover enriched uranium and supply contracts co-signed by the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) for uranium, enriched uranium and other nuclear materials. The EU intends to increase its production of medical radioisotopes.

“While diversification efforts might create uranium and fuel price volatility over access to uranium supply on global markets, major impacts on electricity prices are unlikely as the price of nuclear fuel and related services represent only a small portion of the final cost of electricity from nuclear power plants,” the plan adds.

The EU intends to increase its production of medical radioisotopes

More than 14% of uranium was sourced in the EU from Russia in 2024. The commissioners highlighted the concentration of uranium conversion and enrichment services – needed to transform processed uranium into the material for nuclear fuel manufacturing – in a limited number of companies.

In 2024, around 23% of the whole EU demand for uranium conversion services and almost 24% of enrichment was covered by Russia.

While more than 85% of uranium is produced in Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Namibia, Niger and Russia, uranium mines currently operate in many countries and unmined deposits exist in some EU member states.

It will take years to make use of domestic, other Western resources

European enrichment companies have expansion plans but the first new enrichment installation is not expected earlier than 2027.

“Moreover, the global uranium conversion industry is facing obstacles in ramping up production due to technological complexity and market uncertainties, and new conversion capacities are currently announced only for early 2030s. The EU’s nuclear sector also continues to rely on Russia for some spare parts and maintenance services,” the European Commission said.

EEB: Replacing Russian gas with US gas is senselless

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) noted that imports of Russian gas including LNG rose 18% in 2024 despite no growth in demand.

Numbers of shadow LNG tankers from Russia have also increased, as have indirect imports of Russian energy via third countries, it added. Plans to tackle the shadow fleet are vague, the organization claimed. It went on to label the United States a clearly unreliable trade partner.

“Phasing out Russian coal and gas only to replace it with a dependence on US fracking gas is not in the EU’s security or financial interests. EU countries should instead focus on accelerating their deployment of wind and solar energies. The technologies to move to 100% renewable energy are available,” EEB’s Policy Manager for Climate and Energy Luke Haywood underscored.

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April 28, 2025
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Project for first gas power plant in Albania enters next stage

In partnership with domestic company Gener 2, Greece-based GEK Terna and DEPA Commercial are preparing to build the first gas power plant in Albania. The current phase involves seeking financing. Separately, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR is expected to start installing the first gas distribution network in Albania, in the city of Korça.

Albania is almost 100% dependent on hydropower plants in domestic electricity production. Efforts are underway to diversify the mix with solar and wind energy and introduce storage capacities. Actually, not a single wind turbine has been built yet, but there is another opportunity for strengthening the energy supply: with gas from the Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP. Greek conglomerate GEK Terna and state-owned gas supplier, importer and trader DEPA Commercial intend to build the first gas power plant in Albania, with a local partner.

Late last year, the Council of Ministers, the country’s government, approved the project and determined a three-year deadline for completion. The site for the gas plant is in the municipality of Roskovec in Fier in western Albania. Notably, the county attracts most solar power projects in the country.

Gas facility in western Albania reportedly to have 147 MW in capacity

In the current project development phase, Fier Thermoelectric, the joint venture, is seeking financing, Insider.gr reported. The facility is envisaged to have 147 MW in capacity, according to the article. The government’s decision was for 170 MW.

DEPA Commercial, also known as DEPA Emporias (in Greek), DEPA Commerce and DEPA Trading, entered the project in 2023. It took over a 35% stake from GEK Terna and signed a seven-year gas supply contract for the proposed facility.

They have equal ownership, while Albanian company Gener 2 holds the remaining 30%. It is active in construction, infrastructure, civil works, energy, real estate development, telecommunications and retail in Albania and the broader region.

Both GEK Terna and Gener 2 have solar power projects in Albania as well

Gener 2 has submitted a 50 MW solar power project to the government a year ago. The location is in Bistrica in Finiq municipality, Vlora district.

The government’s approval is not for a concession, but the operator is obligated to either deliver 2% of electricity it produces, as royalty – royal right, or give an equivalent sum for the state budget. The permit is for 49 years since the entry of the decision into force. The firm also needs to sell a share of output to the public power supplier, in accordance with the country’s law.

A group of residents of surrounding villages has repeatedly protested against the investment, arguing that they weren’t consulted. The locals even filed a criminal complaint against Roskovec Mayor Majlinda Bufi.

They claim that the gas facility would pollute the area and jeopardize public health while exporting 90% of the produced electricity.

GEK Terna to benefit from synergies with its gas power plants in Greece

GEK Terna has three gas-fired power plants in Greece. The group’s other energy investment in Albania, through its subsidiary Heron, isn’t without controversy either.

The project is for a 93 MW photovoltaic plant in Libohova, near the Greek border, in Gjirokastër county. Project firm Faethon won approval from the Council of Ministers in Tirana in early 2024. It would be valid for up to 49 years.

GEK Terna’s solar power plant project in Gjirokastër was disrupted last year over fake documentation

Local press wrote last summer that some land documentation for the 122-hectare area was forged, prompting a raid and arrests in the cadastral office in Gjirokastër. The operator of the Libohova plant is obligated to deliver 2% of its electricity for free, too.

First gas distribution network in Albania about to be built in Korça

Albania aims to become a net electricity exporter before the end of the decade. There is also a project for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the port city of Vlora, where a gas-fired power plant is planned to be built.

A long-awaited project called Nur, for the gasification of Korça, was presented last week. It would be the first city in Albania with gas.

The final investment decision is expected this year. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) would be tasked with implementation, with financing from its government. The estimated cost is EUR 21 million. The idea is to then expand the local gas distribution network to nearby Pogradec and Erseka.

Fier and Elbasan are next on the schedule. Azerbaijan and its company are also interested in the project for the LNG terminal in Vlora and to connect the facility with TAP.

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April 24, 2025
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Greece’s DEPA Commercial picks contractors for PV plants of 500 MW

Construction companies Terna and Aktor are about to start building a solar power plant of 400 MW in northern Greece and another 100 MW near Larissa, for state-owned DEPA Commercial, according to a new report. In its switch toward cleaner sources, the gas holding has also finished the construction of its biomethane plant.

Greek state-controlled gas supplier, importer and trader DEPA Commercial has completed the tenders for photovoltaic parks of 500 MW overall, OT learned. The 400 MW facility in Kozani in the Western Macedonia province would currently be the largest in the country.

However, Lightsource bp, owned by BP, started the construction of a 560 MW solar park last summer in Central Greece and Thessaly. State-controlled Public Power Corp. (PPC or DEI) is about to finish a 550 MW photovoltaic facility in Ptolemaida, near Kozani.

DEPA Commercial is also known as DEPA Emporias (in Greek), DEPA Commerce and DEPA Trading. Both for the giant PV plant in northern Greece and another 100 MW in Farsala, Larissa, it selected the consortium of Terna, part of the GEK Terna conglomerate, and Ellaktor’s Aktor.

The turnkey deals are worth EUR 270 million in total

The turnkey agreements are worth a combined EUR 270 million. The company obtained a EUR 390 million loan in July from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its photovoltaic projects. The portfolio amounted to 816 MW.

The projects, which are at various stages of maturity, are conducted under subsidiaries North Solar, North Solar 1 and New Spes Concept.

DEPA Commercial’s new move comes after the government bought a 35% stake from Helleniq Energy. The company is now fully owned by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF or TAIPED). The transaction was completed at the turn of the year, when the vehicle also integrated the so-called Superfund.

DEPA Commercial starts producing biomethane for its fuel stations

Within its energy transition efforts, the gas giant is entering biomethane production as well. DEPA Commercial said early this month that it produced Greece’s first quantities of the fuel.

The new pilot unit, Farma Hitas (Chitas) in Filippiada in the country’s west, makes 97% pure methane and compresses it. The bio-CNG goes to the company’s Fisikon gas stations, where it is mixed with natural (fossil) gas and sold as vehicle fuel.

Ownership stakes in Alexandroupolis gas complex, IGB pipeline

As for its conventional business operations, DEPA Commercial holds a 29% stake in special purpose firm Ilektroparagogi Alexandroupolis (Alexandroupolis Electricity Production). PPC is the majority partner, with 71%.

They are building a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) of 840 MW. In addition, DEPA Commercial owns 20% of the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal and 25% of ICGB, which operates the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) gas pipeline.

The company is participating in the Fier Thermoelectric project for a 174 MW gas power plant in Albania. DEPA Commercial intends to supply some of the renewable electricity that it generates to its wholly-owned subsidiary Fysiko Aerio – Hellenic Energy Co. The gas and electricity distributor has more than 530,000 customers.

Notably, DEPA Commercial already owns an aggregator license – FOSE, allowing it to trade in the wholesale power market on behalf of a group of producers.

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