The minister of energy Krzysztof Tchórzewski announced the transfer of all electricity trading (without RES and cogeneration) to the stock exchange. The companies will have to trade energy at the Polish Power Exchange. The minister encourages them to start from August 1, which is supposed to „calm down” the market – says Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.
Polish Briefing: Nord Stream 2 lobbyists spent almost $1,5 million in the US
What goes on in Poland on the 1st of August.
Manuscripts don’t burn. A chance for a new TTIP?
The meeting of the President of the United States and the president of the European Commission surprised the commentators. Above the angry rhetoric, Donald Trump, decided to give a positive a signal to Jean-Claude Juncker, representative of Europe, writes Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.
OSW: Controversies over the extraction of Black Sea gas in Romania
On 9 July, the Romanian parliament passed an act regulating oil and gas extraction from offshore fields in the Black Sea. The leader of the government coalition, Liviu Dragnea, is arguing that the new regulations will make Romania self-sufficient in terms of gas production and will end its dependence on imports from Russia. The new law opens up the way to the extraction of natural resources from offshore fields on the Black Sea and imposes a tax on extraordinary incomes generated by oil and gas producers ranging from 15% to 50% (depending on the raw material price) – writes Kamil Całus, analyst at OSW.
Ukraine has problems, but so does Nord Stream 2 (ANALYSIS)
Ukraine can not continue gas reform because of the dispute with Gazprom. However, its controversial project Nord Stream 2 has problems that may delay its implementation – writes Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.
PISM: The Importance of Russia’s Second-Generation Elite
The appointment of Dmitry Patrushev, the son of the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, to a ministerial post is a symbol of the ongoing shift of power to a younger generation of Russian leaders. A growing group of so-called “Kremlin Kids” hold significant, even though not visible, positions in the power structures, enabling Russian elites to maintain influence and control through personal and family links. Such a controlled transition will augment a political system that has the features of a kleptocracy and clan-like organisation. For Western countries, it is a signal that Russia’s strategic goal of enforcing the change in the European security system will be continued – write Bartosz Bieliszczuk and Agnieszka Legucka, analysts of the Polish Institute of International Affairs.
Sakmar: New US sanctions law on Nord Stream 2 is unlikely to happen
Last week, Republican Senators John Barrasso, Cory Gardner and Steve Daines proposed a bill that would introduce US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 project. The ESCAPE Act would also support NATO allies who are exposed to Russia’s domination of energy. – The possibility that this bill will be accepted by the Congress, however, is very low – says Susan Sakmar, Professor at the University of Houston, a lawyer and author of a book about the LNG market „Energy for the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges for LNG”.
Polish Briefing: Poland and the Baltic States are ready for synchronization
What goes on in Poland on the 25th of July.
The EC hits Gazprom in Germany in favor of Poland
Information that the European Commission intends to look at Gazprom’s actions in Germany has passed almost without a trace. Meanwhile, this is a good news for Poland – writes Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.
Secret of Helsinki 2. Kremlin’s dream about oil alliance with the US
It is difficult to interpret the words of the President of the United States from a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation in Helsinki. Submission in the Nord Stream 2 case met with a quick response from senators who want mandatory sanctions against this project. It is worth taking a look at statements about the common regulation of raw material prices. Would the Kremlin want to involve the US in an oil deal? – writes Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.