Czechia

Westinghouse secures $114mn contract to supply fuel to Paks nuclear plant

MVM Group has signed an agreement with Westinghouse to secure VVER-440 fuel supplies from 2028, reducing its reliance on Russia and strengthening nuclear cooperation between Budapest and Washington.

Uniper shuts down Karlshamn-2 after failure of Swedish winter backup scheme

The shutdown of Karlshamn-2 removes 335 MW of heavy fuel oil capacity from southern Sweden, exposing the limits of a strategic reserve model approved but inoperative, and increasing pressure on winter supply security.

Sofia secures Lukoil refinery ahead of planned state takeover

The Bulgarian government has increased security around Lukoil’s Burgas refinery ahead of a state-led takeover enabled by new legislation designed to circumvent international sanctions.
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India and Russia strengthen nuclear cooperation with new projects

Russia and India are preparing an expanded agreement for the construction of VVER-1200 reactors and modular nuclear power plants, while accelerating work at the strategic Kudankulam site.

Three U.S. gas basins reshape prices, flows and contracts

Appalachia, Permian and Haynesville each reach the scale of a national producer, anchor the United States’ exportable supply and set regional differentials, LNG arbitrage and compliance constraints across the chain, amid capacity ramp-ups and reinforced sanctions.

Bulgaria passes law to take control of Lukoil refinery

Faced with US sanctions targeting Lukoil, Bulgaria adopts emergency legislation allowing direct control over the Balkans’ largest refinery to secure its energy supply.
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Gunvor drops $22bn bid for Lukoil assets under US pressure

Swiss trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22bn offer to acquire Lukoil’s international assets after the US Treasury announced it would block any related operating licence.

Trump grants Orban oil exemption in exchange for US gas deal

The United States grants Hungary a one-year waiver on sanctions targeting Russian oil, in return for a commitment to purchase US liquefied natural gas worth $600mn.

Gunvor rules out resale of Lukoil assets to Russia after acquisition

Commodities trader Gunvor confirmed that the assets acquired from Lukoil will not return under Russian control, despite potential sanction relief, amid growing regulatory pressure.
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Gotion Launches First Electric Vehicle Battery Factory in Slovakia for Europe

Gotion inaugurates its Gigafactory in Slovakia, marking a significant advancement in electric vehicle battery production in Europe. This site, scheduled for 2027, strengthens the continent’s green industrial chain.

Western sanctions disrupt Lukoil’s international operations

Sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the U.K. are paralyzing Lukoil's operations in Iraq, Finland, and Switzerland, putting its foreign businesses and local partners at risk.

Aramco’s net profit drops for the eleventh consecutive quarter

Aramco reported a 2.3% decrease in its net profit for the third quarter, amid global economic uncertainties and an oversupply of oil, although its adjusted earnings showed a slight increase.
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EU bans Russian LNG, Arctic bottlenecks and clauses under strain

The gradual ban on Russian cargoes reshapes European flows, increases winter detours via the Northern Sea Route and shifts risk toward force majeure and “change of law,” despite rising global capacity. —

Poland: Orlen Consolidates Gas, Targets Regional Hub Without Liberalization

Poland’s gas market remains highly concentrated around Orlen, which controls imports, production, and distribution, while Warsaw targets internal and regional expansion backed by new infrastructure capacity and demand from heat and power.

Bulgaria halts fuel exports to EU after sanctions on Lukoil

Sofia temporarily restricts diesel and jet fuel exports to safeguard domestic supply following US sanctions targeting Lukoil, the country’s leading oil operator.
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Lukoil sells its African oil assets to Gunvor under pressure from US sanctions

Swiss trader Gunvor will acquire Lukoil’s African stakes as the Russian company retreats in response to new US sanctions targeting its overseas operations.

Elogen to deliver electrolyser to RoyalStav and Veolia for project in Slovakia

Elogen will supply a 1 MW PEM electrolyser for a cogeneration plant operated by Veolia Energia Slovensko, in partnership with RoyalStav, near Žiar nad Hronom.

Washington temporarily authorises operations linked to Rosneft’s German assets

The United States has issued a general license allowing transactions with two German subsidiaries of Rosneft, giving Berlin until April 2026 to resolve their ownership status.
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Turkey locks in 19 Bcma of LNG, Moscow and Tehran under pressure

Botaş lines up a series of liquefied natural gas (LNG, liquefied natural gas) contracts that narrow the space for Russian and Iranian flows, as domestic production and import capacity strengthen its bargaining position. —

GreenYellow invests €100mn in Poland to strengthen its C&I portfolio

GreenYellow is expanding its presence in Poland with a €100mn ($106mn) investment plan to grow its photovoltaic capacity, develop energy storage, and deploy energy efficiency solutions for industrial and commercial businesses.

Indian Oil Corp acquires 7 mn barrels from the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates

Faced with falling discounts on Russian oil, Indian Oil Corp is purchasing large volumes from the United States, Canada and Abu Dhabi for September, shifting its usual sourcing strategy.

OPEC+ increases production by 547,000 barrels as non-OPEC supply explodes

The eight voluntary OPEC+ members accelerate their market return in September despite weakened global demand and record production from the Americas.

India navigates between US sanctions and Russian oil dependence

Facing US secondary sanctions threats, Indian refiners slow Russian crude purchases while exploring costly alternatives, revealing complex energy security challenges.
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Rolls-Royce SMR signs strategic agreements with Škoda JS and Curtiss-Wright in the UK and Czechia

Rolls-Royce SMR has entered into cooperation agreements with Škoda JS and Curtiss-Wright to accelerate the manufacturing of essential components and the supply of safety systems as part of its international development of modular reactors.

Ukrainian drones trigger fire at oil depot in Sotchi

A fire broke out at a Sotchi oil depot after an attack by Ukrainian drones, causing no casualties but temporarily disrupting air traffic and mobilising significant emergency resources.

Hungary signs agreement with Synthos to introduce US small modular reactors

Hunatom announces a strategic alliance with Synthos Green Energy to introduce US small modular reactor technology, strengthening energy ties between Hungary, Poland and the United States.
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GoldenPeaks Capital connects two major solar power plants to the Hungarian grid in 2025

GoldenPeaks Capital commissions two large-scale photovoltaic plants in Hungary, strengthening the integration of independent solar generation and the electricity supply on the national market.

Ember: Slow national ambitions hinder global tripling of renewables

The progress of national targets for renewable energy remains marginal, with only a 2% increase since COP28, threatening the achievement of the tripling of capacity by 2030 and impacting energy security.

Trump imposes 25% plus mystery penalties on India from August

Washington triggers an unprecedented tariff structure combining 25% fixed duties and an additional unspecified penalty linked to Russian energy and military purchases.
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Russia advances its position on uranium and civil nuclear energy in Niger

The Russian Minister of Energy announces strengthened cooperation in uranium and civil nuclear energy in Niger, reinforcing Russia's economic presence in a key sector following the withdrawal of several Western players.

Slovenské elektrárne signs a contract with Urenco for enriched uranium supply

Slovenské elektrárne has signed an agreement with Urenco for the purchase of enriched uranium for the Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants, strengthening the diversification of its supply sources until the mid-2030s.

US sanctions against NIS: Serbia secures a fifth 30-day reprieve

Serbia has secured a new 30-day reprieve from the application of US sanctions targeting NIS, operator of the country’s only refinery, which is majority owned by Gazprom.
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Is Europe replacing Moscow with Washington in its energy dependence

The EU-US agreement could create a higher energy concentration than that of Russia before 2022, threatening the European diversification strategy.

EU–US energy deal faces global market realities

The European commitment to purchase $250bn of American energy annually raises questions about its technical and economic feasibility in light of limited export capacity.

European solar growth slows in 2024 but will reach 400 GW in 2025

Europe will see its first slowdown in solar deployment in ten years in 2024, with 64.2 GW expected, but this does not call into question the 400 GW target for 2025 set by the European Commission.
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Trump threatens tariffs on Russian oil, but Reuters says enforcement unlikely

Donald Trump has raised the prospect of tariffs on countries buying Russian crude, but according to Reuters, enforcement remains unlikely due to economic risks and unfulfilled past threats.

Mozambique seeks Russian companies’ participation in natural gas development

Mozambique aims to strengthen the presence of Russian companies in natural gas exploration and production as the country looks to diversify its partnerships in the natural resources sector.

Hungary asserts refusal to abandon Russian oil and gas in face of European Union

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto states Budapest will block any European ban on Russian hydrocarbon imports, stressing the impact on household energy costs.
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Hungary confirms launch of Paks-2 with Rosatom by autumn

Hungary reaffirms its intent to double the capacity of its Paks nuclear power plant in partnership with Rosatom, with concrete works expected to begin in the autumn.

Dutch court lifts freeze on Gazprom stake in joint venture with Wintershall

The Hague court has authorised the release of Gazprom’s shares in Wintershall Noordzee, following a judicial decision after several months of legal proceedings involving Ukrainian companies.