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Bulgaria’s BEH wants direct link to future Black Sea cable to participate in project

Executive Director of Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) Valentin Nikolov hinted that the country would opt for the alternative electricity corridor to the Caucasus, via Turkey, if the proposed interconnector under the Black Sea doesn’t include a direct link to the Bulgarian grid.

Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Bulgaria formalized an initiative in April for an electricity corridor that would run through Turkey. It appeared to rival the Black Sea Submarine Cable (BSSC) project for a submarine cable between Georgia and Romania. The investment is managed by the Green Energy Corridor Power Co. (GECO), founded by transmission system operators of Romania, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Bulgaria has expressed the intention to join the project for the link under the Black Sea. However, state-owned BEH wants a direct connection to the country’s grid, Executive Director Valentin Nikolov says, hinting that otherwise Bulgaria wouldn’t participate.

Nikolov: Political interests are beginning to prevail

The options are for the cable to branch out and land in both countries or only in Romania, Economic.bg reported.

It is important for deciding whether to participate in the project, Nikolov pointed out. “There is no great interest” for Bulgaria if the interconnector enters Romania and extends to Bulgaria from there, and to Hungary, he claimed. Then it is better to go through Turkey, the power utility’s CEO said.

Route through Bulgaria would enable access to European funds for national grid

The feasibility study underway will lay out options and information on where it would be most profitable to lay the cable. According to Nikolov, it is through Bulgaria.

“If we want to develop our grid and use European funding, it must go through Bulgaria, and the connection with Romania can be paid for with European funds,” he added.

“Political interests are beginning to prevail,” in his words.

Black Sea interconnector to consist of three cables

Azerbaijan is planning to export 4 GW through the corridor from the Caspian Sea via the Black Sea to Europe. The idea is for the link to consist of three cables, in fact, the article reads. Only a handful of manufacturers in the world can manufacture them for depths of up to 2,000 meters, and the number of ships that can lay them is limited, the news website added.

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries are interested in producing renewable electricity for exports to Europe, too.

The Black Sea submarine link project is valued at EUR 3.5 billion and it is expected to require up to four years, the media outlet noted. The European Commission is considering to fund the investment with EUR 2.3 billion.

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Turkey’s TEİAŞ signs USD 750 million loan contract with World Bank

Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation and the World Bank signed a USD 750 million loan agreement.

A USD 750 million loan will be used for the Transforming Power Transmission System Project. It would make the country’s energy future more reliable and efficient, Turkey’s transmission system operator (TSO) TEİAŞ said.

The agreement was signed in Istanbul vby the bank’s Country Director Humberto Lopez and Orhan Kaldırım, the company’s Chairman of the Board, in the presence of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, at the 11th Energy Efficiency Forum and Exhibition.

Bayraktar: Turkey plans to invest USD 28 billion in the transmission grid

“The World Bank and international financial institutions have a significant interest in Turkey’s energy infrastructure, particularly its electricity and natural gas sectors. Turkey is a hub country,” Bayraktar stated.

He recalled that the country plans to invest USD 28 billion in electricity transmission infrastructure by 2035.

The minister revealed that discussions on such projects are ongoing with financial institutions from both Asia and the West. Financing agreements can be expected in the foreseeable future, he added.

Lopez: The transition requires reliable transmission

World Bank Country Director Humberto Lopez stressed that Turkey’s clean energy ambitions depend on strong transmission infrastructure.

“Turkey has one of the most ambitious renewable energy plans, and this transition requires reliable transmission,” he said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.

Lopez explained that it is very difficult for a new company to install solar or wind power facilities without a transmission grid connection secured. The USD 750 million investment aims to address the need and it is central to the government’s energy transition plan, he underlined.

The Transforming Power Transmission System Project marks the first phase of a USD 1.5 billion financing package aimed at expanding grid capacity, enhancing digital management, and accelerating the integration of renewable energy.

It will include feasibility studies for Turkey’s first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line, according to the article.

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Indian ChemVolt Global, Serbian ElevenEs forge strategic partnership for batteries

Indian company ChemVolt Global and ElevenEs, based in Serbia, established a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS), lithium-ion cell manufacturing, and electric vehicle (EV) battery pack supply across India.

ChemVolt Global is a clean energy and storage solutions company and ElevenEs develops lithium-ion battery cell technology.

The collaboration combines ChemVolt Global’s extensive expertise in project development, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), and local market execution, with ElevenEs’ industry-leading experience in lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cell technology and large-scale European manufacturing, the Serbian company said.

The first objective is to deploy advanced BESS solutions across India and the Middle East

The two companies aim to establish a robust ecosystem for advanced energy storage and electric mobility in India.

The partnership includes three key objectives.

The first one is to deploy advanced BESS solutions across India and the Middle East, with advanced lithium ion cells with a higher life cycle and less degradation and high thermal stability.

The two companies also plan lithium-ion cell manufacturing collaboration based on ElevenEs’ pioneering European cell technology and production capabilities, the update reads.

The companies intend to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across India

The third goal is to supply EV battery packs to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The partners plan to enable domestic automotive manufacturers to access high-performance, safe, fast-charging and reliable battery packs, accelerating the adoption of electric mobility across India.

Gupta: The deepening industrial and technological cooperation between India and Europe

ChemVolt Global CEO Kuldeep Gupta said the partnership with ElevenEs represents a defining moment for India’s clean energy and electric mobility ambitions.

“Beyond technology, this collaboration reflects the deepening industrial and technological cooperation between India and Europe, positioning both nations at the forefront of the global energy transition,” he stated.

Mikać: We are not just participating

According to Nemanja Mikać, CEO of ElevenEs, the partnership is a decisive move to bring the company’s proven LFP cell technology and large-scale manufacturing to India.

ElevenEs’ expertise, in his words, is ready to deliver nothing less than advanced battery solutions that will be foundational to India’s energy independence.

“We are not just participating; we are positioned to define the future of this industry,” Mikać stressed.

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Montenegrin TSO CGES buying power transmission lines from its Serbian counterpart EMS

Serbian transmission system operator (TSO) Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) and Montenegrin TSO CGES agreed that each would become the owner of the parts of overhead transmission lines on its country’s territory, and signed a contract.

EMS and CGES signed a contract on the purchase of electricity infrastructure. The two state-owned TSOs said it is the confirmation of their many years of cooperation and of their joint commitment to the development of a stable and reliable regional electricity system.

The reason for such an arrangement is that maintenance and utilization of transmission lines on the other country’s territory is complex and demanding, both from the technical and legal perspectives, the announcement reads.

Contract was signed by CEOs Jelena Matejić, Ivan Asanović

CGES will become the owner of the parts of EMS’s interconnector power lines of 220 kV and 110 kV that are located in Montenegro, they said, without revealing the purchase sum.

CGES is taking over the parts of EMS’s interconnector power lines that are on the territory of Montenegro

The contract was signed by General Manager of EMS Jelena Matejić and Executive Director of CGES Ivan Asanović. The two companies explained that they have initiated the search for a sustainable solution for interconnector power lines of 220 kV from Pljevlja in Montenegro to Bajina Bašta in Serbia and from Pljevlja to Bistrica in Serbia, and the one from Pljevlja 1 to Potpeć in Serbia, of 110 kV, all owned by EMS, and for CGES’s internal overhead power line Mojkovac-Pljevlja of 220 kV, which has a section in neighboring Serbia.

Deal aimed at simplifying operations, greater legal clarity

They adopted a model under which each TSO is becoming the owner of transmission lines on the territory of its country. It is a principle enabling simpler management, more efficient maintenance and greater legal and operational clarity for transmission systems, the operators said.

“With this contract we are creating a more stable basis for a technically and legally regulated transmission system, additionally strengthening the reliability and safety of the electricity grid in the region,” Jelena Matejić stated.

The companies showed that they are able to solve complex issues jointly and in the interest of both countries and all users of the electricity system, according to CGES head Ivan Asanović.

Of note, EMS has a 15% share in CGES, while the Government of Montenegro controls 55.4%. Jelena Matejić is a member of the board of directors. Italian TSO Terna owns 22.1%.

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Dušan Jerković Primary School in Ruma – first prosumer school in Serbia’s Srem district

The Dušan Jerković Primary School in Ruma is the first school in the Srem (Syrmia) region, in Serbia’s north, with a solar power plant installed on its roof, and it is in the process of obtaining the prosumer status. The project was implemented in cooperation with the Elektropionir energy cooperative and funded by German Development Cooperation. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implemented the endeavor.

Although the number of prosumers in Serbia is growing, it still remains relatively small compared to the vast potential of rooftops and the abundance of sunshine that the country enjoys. According to recent data from electricity distribution system operator Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS), there were 5,310 registered prosumers, formally called buyers-producers.

Their total installed capacity was over 113 MW. Most were households (3,848), followed by legal entities (1,457), while the number of residential communities producing their own energy remains very small, only five.

A few years ago, upon an assessment of rooftop areas in Serbia suitable for solar panel installation, the surface was estimated at as much as 600 square kilometers. Installing solar panels on just 10% would translate to 6 GW of solar power capacity.

On a bright note, awareness of renewable energy sources and their importance is steadily increasing, as shown by the growing number of institutions — including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools — choosing to take steps toward energy independence and become prosumers. One such example is in the Syrmia area, locally called Srem, and specifically in Ruma, where the Dušan Jerković Primary School recently became the proud owner of a rooftop solar power plant. The town is located west of Belgrade.

According to school principal Ivana Milojević, the idea was born in September 2024, when representatives of the energy cooperative Elektropionir first visited the school and proposed a partnership.

Elektropionir organized a series of lectures and workshops for students, parents, and school staff

Before the solar installation began, Elektropionir organized a series of lectures and workshops for students, parents, and school staff, focusing on renewable energy sources and the benefits of installing solar panels. The proposal to set up a photovoltaic system on the school’s roof was enthusiastically supported by both the school administration and the Municipality of Ruma, which owns the building.

Foto: Elektropionir

The power plant will significantly reduce the school’s electricity bill

The German Development Cooperation fully funded the installation of a 10 kW solar power plant in a project implemented by GIZ. The system was completed in late August, and the process of obtaining the prosumer status from DSO Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS) is underway.

It means that the generated electricity will be used to cover the building’s energy needs, and any surplus will be delivered to the grid, while the school will be able to utilize the excess energy later, when its consumption exceeds production.

“I am very proud that the Dušan Jerković Primary School is the first school in Srem to have a solar power plant. Our school, known for its yellow color, has now got a touch of green, symbolizing our commitment to protecting nature and raising environmental awareness among our students and fellow townspeople. We sincerely thank GIZ and the Elektropionir energy cooperative for their effort, work, and financial support in materializing a wonderful idea,” principal Ivana Milojević said.

The new solar plant will significantly reduce the school’s electricity bills, allowing it to use the savings for other improvements — such as upgrading classrooms or purchasing teaching materials to enhance the learning process.

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Voice from beyond the centre

Balkan Green Energy News, the media partner of the 2025 Just Transition Young Voices Awards, is publishing the three winning articles. The Energy Community Secretariat organized the contest in collaboration with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, the CLEW Network, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The aim is to promote young adults set to shape the climate, energy, and social landscape in the years ahead in the Energy Community region. 

Author: Ani Gogokhia

It is the summer of 2045  – unusually hot compared to previous years – but the unbearable heat is not the only problem. I wake up in my small apartment in western Georgia, open the window, and immediately see clouds of exhaust fumes. For me, this is just another part of everyday life.

After a quick breakfast, I step outside for a short walk to wake myself up. The buildings in the city are the only things that remain unchanged. The number of people on the streets is declining. I feel lonely – most of my peers have either moved to the capital, Tbilisi, or left for European countries.

Thinking of them inevitably leads me to reflect on my own career path. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in my region.

Not much choice for young woman

With those thoughts weighing on me, I walk quickly to my first job. I call it my first job because I’ll head to another one later in the afternoon. The commute is long, and public transport only slows me down – so I walk. As I pass the local market, I see vendors, most of them women, standing in the scorching sun.

My job is house cleaning. The pay is just enough to cover groceries and utility bills, but with the cost of living rising daily, I rush to a second cleaning job in the afternoon. Floors, windows, walls – it’s all the same. If you wonder why I chose this line of work, the answer is simple: there wasn’t much choice, especially for a young woman.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it

There’s little to say about the workday. I return home as the sun begins to set, carrying groceries in both hands. As I unpack, I wait for my family. Everyone works – my mother and father in a factory, and my sister at a hospital. We gather for dinner and talk about current events: rising tensions, protests over low wages, unemployment, and deepening poverty.

But these conversations always end the same way – with my mother’s cancer. She developed the disease after years of exposure to harmful substances at the factory, yet she still can’t stop working. We simply can’t afford her treatment otherwise.

The scenario described above could become a regular part of life if we halt progress toward a just transition and neglect it. For the energy transition to be truly just, it must include rural areas, too, creating fair opportunities for people across Georgia.

A just transition refers to a series of policies that ensure fair and equal opportunities for everyone as we shift to a greener economy in the fight against climate change. It’s a process meant to align energy systems with modern, sustainable standards. Local governments play a vital role, though many factors – such as geography and ethnicity – can affect how smoothly this transition occurs.

Just transition in Georgia

Georgia is working to stay aligned with global green trends through international cooperation. Hydropower dominates its energy sector, but the country is slowly incorporating wind and solar systems. Since joining the Energy Community in 2017, Georgia has made notable strides toward harmonizing its legislation with the European Union’s energy standards.

This alignment has attracted major investments in renewable energy. Projects like the Kartli wind farm and a national roadmap for a circular economy – supported by the EU4Environment program – are steps in the right direction.

The city of Zugdidi is among the trailblazers in Georgia in the energy efficiency segment, youth engagement and environmental education

These national achievements are significant, but what about rural areas far from the capital? Each region presents unique challenges and opportunities in the just transition. In western Georgia, Zugdidi has started participating in this process. Although large-scale renewable projects remain concentrated elsewhere, the city has seen pilot initiatives in energy efficiency, youth engagement, and environmental education supported by the EU.

The rural development programs of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zugdidi focus on inclusive economic participation, especially for youth, and promote eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture to curb outward migration. One noteworthy initiative involved using hazelnut shells to heat school greenhouses – a clever use of a crop central to local livelihoods. Educational projects and international partnerships have also helped raise awareness about the green economy, yet challenges remain.

Chiatura craves economic diversification away from mining

Take, for example, Chiatura – a mining town east of Zugdidi, known for its manganese industry since Soviet times. Chiatura’s economy has long depended on mining, with consequences such as environmental degradation, poor working conditions, and economic stagnation when mining activity declines. Without economic diversification, residents remain vulnerable and largely excluded from sustainable development benefits.

In 2024, Georgian news outlets reported: The hunger strike entered its 22nd day on July 10, involving eight miners, three of whom have sewn their mouths shut. The unrest stems from decisions to shut down underground mining operations, leaving workers desperate and uncertain about their futures.

While Zugdidi explores decentralized, eco-friendly solutions like biomass heating, Chiatura still lags in implementing alternatives – clean industries, green technologies, or renewable energy – deepening the divide between regions.

Youth massively moving to capital Tbilisi

Unfortunately, Georgia’s development remains overly centralized. Most opportunities are clustered in Tbilisi, causing a massive youth outflow from other regions into the capital.

Geographic and infrastructural limitations in rural and mountainous areas also pose serious barriers. For example, eastern Georgia has high solar radiation – perfect for photovoltaic panels – but varied terrain complicates installation. Wind energy prospects are greater in the east, as western regions are less windy.

A just transition also demands inclusive participation, especially from women. As of 2024, women make up just 28% of the global STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce – a glaring underrepresentation. In Georgia, the meaningful inclusion of women in the just transition remains a significant challenge. Empowering women – politically, economically, and socially – is key.

A difficult past marked by political instability and conflict has left its mark, but the more women engage in public life, the greater their chances of economic empowerment, entry into traditionally male-dominated professions and establishing decent place in economy.

What must be done

While Georgia has made substantial headway towards its climate goals, it is key for the country to create a unified national policy that addresses all regions equitably. We need robust educational campaigns, targeted support for rural areas, and most importantly, greater inclusion of women and minority groups in the just transition.

Only then can we build a fair, resilient society capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Photo: Just Transition Young Voices Awards