Tagsenergy

‘Energy issues should be kept out of party politics’

12/04/12
ENERGY issues should be left out of disputes between political parties, Commerce and Industry Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis said yesterday, as he embarked on a dialogue with politicians on natural gas matters.“There will be frequent and continuous updating of parliamentary parties so that we can jointly formulate what is necessary and the decisions we need to take today regarding the energy sector,” Sylikiotis said after a meeting with DIKO chief Marios Garoyian.The minister highlighted the importance of energy issues and stressed that they must be left out of disputes, irrespective of political differences between parties... 1 comment

Spectre of new EAC hikes loom

By Stefanos Evripidou 06/04/12
 ENERGY POLICY-makers will decide in the coming days whether new costly measures are needed to better secure the electricity grid from mass blackouts, raising the prospect of further increases in electricity prices, which have already risen by a third in the last year. Speaking on radio yesterday, Electricity Authority (EAC) general manager Stelios Stylianou warned that if new measures are adopted to reduce the risk of similar blackouts like the one experienced on Wednesday, the cost will eventually have to be shouldered by the consumer.  ... 29 comments

US urges east Med countries to work together on energy

By Stefanos Evripidou 29/03/12
COUNTRIES in the eastern Mediterranean need to talk to each other and find logical solutions so everyone can enjoy the “pots of gold” in the form of hydrocarbon deposits littered across the region, said a top US energy envoy yesterday. “There are multiple pots of gold out there in the eastern Mediterranean. And if equitable solutions are found, everybody, all of the countries and their citizens will gain; and if not, nobody is going to reap the whole benefits and a lot of that gold might just sit out there for a long time,” said US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, Ambassador Richard Morningstar. ... 7 comments

Sylikiotis sets out to mend fences

By Stefanos Evripidou 24/03/12
NEW COMMERCE Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis went on a charm offensive yesterday, meeting with key players in the energy field in an effort to mend bridges that appeared almost burnt during his predecessor’s tenure.  Sylikiotis met with a delegation from the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) to discuss a wide range of energy issues, as well as Chairman of the House Commerce Committee Lefteris Christoforou. “After nine months, the door of the Commerce Ministry has opened to the members and chairman of the House Commerce Committee,” said Christoforou.   ... 1 comment

'Lots of leeway to save energy'

By Natalie Hami 17/03/12
AWARENESS on energy saving issues on the island is increasing among Cypriots, according to the EU’s Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard.“This is very encouraging that awareness in Cyprus is rising and people have the will to engage in these issues,” Hedegaard said yesterday during a news conference in Nicosia.Hedegaard said that the only obligation Cyprus has to the EU regarding energy saving practices were Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and CO2 emissions, like all other 27 member states.Cyprus must cover 13 per cent of its energy needs by 2020 from RES, with the overall EU target being 20 per cent. “I noticed that everywhere I go is very warm so there’s plenty of potential to save energy,” said Hedegaard... 4 comments

Parties agree on handling of natural gas

By Stefanos Evripidou 14/03/12
THE PARTIES’ opposing views on how to regulate the natural gas market appear to have been reconciled after the House Commerce Committee yesterday came up with a commonly agreed bill which only the Legal Service had a problem with.Committee chairman Lefteris Christoforou said all parties reached agreement on the regulation of natural gas while the Legal Service raised the issue of constitutional obstacles in the proposed bill.Christoforou said committee members had a like-minded approach to the issue of regulating the competences of the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA). ... 2 comments

Israeli company seeks gas bid

By Stefanos Evripidou 13/03/12
A NEW Israeli company is setting up shop in Cyprus to bid in the second round of licensing for the remaining 12 blocks in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to Israeli business website Globes, controlling partners from the limited partnership company Israel Opportunity Energy Resources have announced plans to expand their activity beyond oil and gas exploration in and around Israel, setting up a subsidiary company in Cyprus. The local subsidiary called Cyprus Opportunity will be fully responsible for acquiring deepwater offshore licences in Cyprus’ second round of licensing.  ... 3 comments

Noble reconfirms gas estimates

09/03/12
NOBLE Energy said yesterday that an independent estimate, published earlier this week, of the natural gas resources within its Block 12 concession were consistent with its own assessments.The US company was referring to an estimate by Texas-based gas and oil consulting firm Netherland Sewell (NSAI), who gave a “best estimate of 5.1 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas” for the Block 12 prospect.In a statement, Noble said NSAI’s estimate was in fact “consistent with and confirms Noble Energy's December 28, 2011 announcement of an estimated gross resource range of 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf), with a gross mean of 7 tcf... 1 comment

EAC extends instalment scheme to those who are struggling

By Jacqueline Agathocleous 08/03/12
THE ELECTRICITY Authority of Cyprus (EAC) said yesterday it would allow those with unpaid bills to join its instalment scheme, which spreads out the cost over a 12-month period. “To help household consumers who are facing difficulties pay their bills, the EAC decided that from now own, consumers with unpaid bills can be included in the current monthly instalment scheme,” the authority announced.Under the scheme, consumers can pay a fixed amount every month to be calculated based on their estimated usage. At the end of the 12-month period, the amount is then adjusted either up or down, depending on actual consumption throughout the period... 5 comments

Saving energy...and money

By Poly Pantelides 08/03/12
THOSE looking to lower their energy and water consumption should pay a visit to the state fair between March 16 and 18, stopping by stands five and six.SAVENERGY 2012 will provide information to businesses and home owners on products and services, including renewable energy systems, and energy-saving services for businesses, hotels or homes.ENVIROTEC 2012 will provide information on schemes to save water, improve its quality and use it efficiently. ... 8 comments
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