INTERFAX - Central Europe Energy news report of 23.05.2008

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Czech EU presidency may convene energy summit, seeks coordinated nuclear policy – Deputy PM

Czech retail fuel prices increase; top-selling Natural 95 up at CZK 32.21/liter

Czech petrochem Unipetrol targets significant investments, partnership in biofuels sector – CEO

Czech petrochem Unipetrol says named in U.K. tire maker Cooper’s price-fixing lawsuit

HUNGARY

Hungary will not cut taxes on fuel despite record prices; in talks with transport firms – Fin Min

Austrian oil major OMV launches legal challenges against Hungarian peer MOL on AGM resolutions

Hungarian retail fuel prices to rise HUF 2–4 per liter this week to new records

PRESS: Russian oil firm Lukoil’s Romanian arm to open premium gas stations

POLAND

Polish currency’s strength limits price growth of liquid fuels – Polish PM

Georgia, Ukraine propose energy space of Baltic, Black, Caspian seas

Ukraine aspires to play greater role in forming Eurasian energy security – Yushchenko

PRESS: Russian expert claims Poland "stole" Lithuanian refinery Mazeiku Nafta from Russia

Polish Polimex-Mostostal signs PLN 222.3 mln engineering deal to develop refiner Grupa Lotos

Kiev energy summit to discuss westward oil shipment through Odessa-Brody pipeline – diplomat

Polish no.2 refiner Grupa Lotos buys 10% stake in North Sea oil production license

Polish firm Barter buys LPG business from Polish unit of Russian oil firm Lukoil

GAS

HUNGARY

PRESS: Hungary’s E.ON Foldgaz Storage to complete gas depot expansion program in August ’09

U.K. hydrocarbon exploration firm Matra spuds first Hungarian gas well in USD 5 mln program

PRESS: Romanian gas distributor Distrigaz requests 18% price hike in July

PRESS: Romanian gas firm Romgaz doubles profit in Q1 2008 to EUR 76.2 mln on cold winter

PRESS: Hungarian household natural gas prices to rise 10–11% in July; prices for industry up 8%

POLAND

Polish gas monopolist PGNiG opens trade office in Ukrainian capital

Lukoil selling chain of natural gas filling stations in Poland

Ukraine to see gas prices rising to European levels in 2011-2012 – Gazprom

Polish gas monopolist PGNiG subsidiary signs contracts for drilling services

COAL

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Mining group Czech Coal to reduce excavation at CSA surface mine due to gov’t limits

HEAT, POWER & SEWAGE

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Czech Republic and Slovakia agree to create a common electricity market

PRESS: Czech power utility CEZ mining unit allegedly lacks valid EIA environmental study

Czech power utility CEZ appoints Martin Novak to the board of directors

Slovak utility Slovenske elektrarne not to pay dividend from 2007 profit

HUNGARY

Hungarian EU ETS companies emit 26.8 mln tonnes of CO2 in 2007

PRESS: Nine companies bid for Romanian power firm Hidroelectrica’s 17 small hydro stations

PRESS: Romanian coal-fired power plants to buy extra carbon emissions for EUR 100–200 mln

PRESS: Hungarian household electricity prices to remain unchanged despite rising wholesale price

POLAND

Polish no.2 consolidated power group Tauron to focus on reconstruction of production capacities

Lithuania hopes European Commission will prolong lifespan of country’s nuclear power plant

Poland and Lithuanian launch company for the construction of power bridge

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Czech electricity production generated by wind power more than doubles in Q1

Nb: This news report features only the headline of each news