Greek Energy Forum Newsletter, 13th November 2017

Greece’s position as an energy hub that can help the European Union increase its energy security and diversification of supplies, reducing reliance on Russia were highlighted by Commission Vice President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič and US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt.

At the Greek Energy Forum's Future Leaders Academy, the US Ambassador emphasised “the enduring and critically important partnership between the United States in working to advance our shared goals of European energy security”.

In the meantime, the Greek government signed a lease agreement with the joint venture Total-Edison-Hellenic Petroleum for Block 2 at the Ionian Sea, offshore Greece.

Join us for a discussion on the state of play and outlook of the Oil & Gas industry in Greece with Marina Petroleka, Global Head of Industry Research at BMI Research. The conversation will be moderated by Angelos Gkanoutas - Leventis, president of GEF. Following a short presentation on the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the Oil & Gas industry in Greece, the discussion will focus and the bright spots and realities of the sector along with forecasts for its future development.

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to find out the latest insights on the status and prospects of the industry in Greece for one of the leading experts in the field. The event will be free, but registration is required. Due to limited availability of seats, the event will run on a first come first serve basis.

Policy & Regulation

IEA: Greece lacks longer term integrated energy, climate strategy

The IEA report, ‘’Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Greece 2017 Review’’, welcomes the noticeable progress on Greek energy-sector reforms, underlying that it is expected for the country to achieve its 2020 emission reduction and energy efficiency targets. Nevertheless, the IEA report underlines the immediate need for a longer term -2030 and beyond- integrated energy and climate strategy. (energypress)

Energy Community Report covers climate change for first time

For the first time, the Energy Community, wishing to focus on the Contracting Parties’ climate change legislation and strategies, especially with respect to monitoring and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, presented the Energy Community’s latest Annual Implementation Report including climate change.(balkangreenenergynews)

CO2 emissions from new cars to be 30% lower, proposes European Commission

Within the framework of the Clean Mobility Package, the European Commission proposed on 8^th of November that the EU fleet-wide average CO2 of emissions of new passenger cars and vans will have to be 30% lower in 2030, compared to 2021. (balkangreenenergynews)

Oil & Gas

Commission takes steps to extend EU gas rules to import pipelines

The European Commission took steps to extend European Union gas rules to import pipelines, a move that the EC says is not aimed at preventing the construction of any new gas pipelines such as Nord Stream-2. To improve the functioning of the EU internal energy market and enhance solidarity between Member States, the Commission on November 8 proposed to amend the EU Gas Directive of the Third Energy Package. The EU says the amendment aims to clarify the core principles of EU energy legislation but Nord Stream-2 argues that the proposal ‘would first create legal uncertainty’ (New Europe)

ELPE, Total, Edison sign deal for Corfu Block 2 exploration

Power Markets

Shenhua joins power market through deal with PPC, Copelouzos

Chinese state company Shenhua, a major electricity producer in China and the world’s biggest producer of coal, is entering the Greek market through co-operation deals signed with Copelouzos group and PPC. In particular it announced the acquisition of 75% share in four windfarms currently being developed by the Copelouzos group; moreover it signed a memorandum of understanding with PPC and the Copelouzos group to become a partner in PPC Solar Solutions SA. (kathimerini)

Gas-fired producers to get less from new flexibility mechanism

Gas-fired generation is expected to receive a lower amount of remuneration under the new flexibility mechanism currently designed by RAE. Under the new mechanism more hydropower and less gas-fired capacity will be compensated for flexibility services. Furthermore payments are expected to be significantly lower than the €45000/MW offered in the previous scheme. (energypress)

RAE pushing for more specific interconnection project targets

The Regulatory Authority in Greece (RAE) is pushing IPTO to set specific and realistic targets on island interconnection projects in order to avoid further delays. The main projects that are under consideration by RAE concern the Crete and Cyclades interconnection. (energypress)

Elpedison losses attributed to major CAT mechanism delay

Elpedison posted a 3Q loss of €5m compared to a €9m profit during the same period last year despite an increase in both generation output and sales. The company which is one of the three major vertically integrated suppliers in Greece claimed that the disappointing result should be attributed to the greatly delayed Capacity Availability Tickets (CAT) mechanism. (energypress)

Finalized PPC sale list next week, energy minister promises

Last Thursday the energy minister Giorgos Stathakis announced that the content of the package concerning the sale of 40% of PPC’s lignite fired capacity will be finalized this week. According to sources the reviewed package will include the Meliti unit, a construction permit for the development of a second Meliti unit, as well as Megalopoli III and IV. (energypress)

Shipping

Star Bulk Carriers Corp Announces New Venture in Dry Bulk Commodity Logistics

Dry bulk focused company Star Bulk Carriers Corp., announced its expansion through the launch of its subsidiary Star Logistics Management S.A. (“Star Logistics”), which will be based in Geneva and managed by Leonidas Giannakopoulos and his team. This development is expected to enhance Star Bulk’s commercial activity with the further expertise and tools that will be added mainly on Kamsarmaxes and geared bulkers as well as with the access to market data and cargo flows. The CEO’s of both Star Bulk and Star Logistics expect that this new venture will strengthen earnings and profitability in the near future. (Hellenic Shipping News)

Containers: Greeks rolling up their sleeves

During the last few weeks Greeks seem to be in the forefront of the container S&P market with big deals being concluded. First example consists the NYSE-listed Diana Containerships which made public that it agreed to sell up to seven of its vessels for a price of $104 Mln. Possible buyer is rumoured to be Technomar Shipping’s subsidiary, Poseidon Container Holdings. Respectively, Navios Maritime Containers confirmed the expansion of its fleet with two Panamax vessels for a price of almost $20 Mln, while it had acquired in April 2017 a whole fleet of 14 vessels for an en-bloc price of $118 Mln. Last but not least, Greek-owned Costamare sold for scrapping two of its oldest vessels for a speculated price of almost $1.5 Mln. (Hellenic Shipping News)

Greece O&G - State of Play and Outlook

Knowledge Partnership with Natural Gas World

The GEF is happy to announce the commencement of an exciting knowledge partnership with Natural Gas World. Natural Gas World is an independent specialized website dedicated to bringing you the most essential, accurate and reliable information on global gas matters.

GEF Internship Programme Launched

The Greek Energy Forum is delighted to announce the launch of the Internships Programme and would like to invite students and recent graduates to submit their CVs as a range of internships across Europe will be soon available in our partner companies as well as within GEF.

Please send your CV and cover letter to info@greekenergyforum.com quoting “Internship Programme - CV” on the subject, and include your availability to start, current location and flexibility to travel and preferred type of employment (part-time/full-time).