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With the increased share of renewable energy sources, there is a growing need for more flexibility to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of the electricity system. Multi-energy systems (MES) now appear as one possible means to provide such flexibility through increased synergies between electricity, gas, and heating/cooling systems. In this context, the main findings of the study carried out in the MAGNITUDE European project are described. The most relevant services that could be provided by MES to the electricity system are first presented. Then a methodology is proposed to characterise and compare the market organisations and mechanisms for their procurement. The results of its application in seven case study countries are summarised and illustrate the diversity met between countries. The gas and heat sectors are also investigated for the seven countries to characterise the main aspects relevant to the provision of the services by MES. A comparative analysis is then carried out between the three energy sectors in the seven countries and highlights the major similarities and differences. Finally, potential barriers for the provision of the services by MES are discussed regarding the market, regulatory, and cultural aspects.

[ES] Las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero son unos de los principales problemas que afectan al cambio climático. Como se refleja en el Acuerdo de París, el objetivo principal es: ¿Mantener el aumento de la temperatura media mundial muy por debajo de 2 °C con respecto a los niveles preindustriales, y proseguir los esfuerzos para limitar ese aumento de la temperatura a 1,5 °C con respecto a los niveles preindustriales, reconociendo que ello reduciría considerablemente los riesgos y los efectos del cambio climático¿ (Naciones Unidas - El Acuerdo de Paris, 2015). Mediante la cuantificación de esas emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, las empresas son capaces de identificar los riesgos y las oportunidades de negocio. Las nuevas políticas medioambientales sobre la reducción de emisiones provocan que las empresas deban modificar aspectos para mejorar el impacto que ejercen en el medio ambiente. La cuantificación de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero es necesaria para adoptar medidas de reducción de emisiones, optimizando los procesos y realizando mejoras de eficiencia energética. Además, es un proceso clave como estrategia para la toma de decisiones de la empresa. Este trabajo se realiza bajo los criterios de la norma UNE-EN ISO 14064 y del GHG protocol, mediante el que se calcula la huella de carbono del año 2021 de una empresa del sector gasista. Se cuantifican las emisiones pertenecientes a las categorías 1, 2, 3 y 4, es decir, emisiones directas e indirectas producidas por las actividades de la empresa. Los factores de emisión se obtienen de fuentes oficiales y los datos de actividad es información pública obtenida de varias plantas para la estimación de las emisiones. Además, la Comisión Europea junto con Estados Unidos lanzan el compromiso global respecto al metano, una iniciativa que persigue el siguiente objetivo: ¿Countries joining the Global Methane Pledge commit to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030 and moving towards using best available inventory methodologies to quantify methane emissions, with a particular focus on high emission sources¿. Por ello, se propone una metodología de cuantificación de las emisiones de metano producidas por emisiones fugitivas o venteos durante las actividades de la empresa. Como resultado se obtiene un elevado potencial de reducción en las categorías de emisiones indirectas. En estas categorías la empresa no puede implementar medidas de reducción de emisiones, pero tiene la capacidad de influir en el resto de las organizaciones. Mediante la publicación del resultado de estas emisiones, puede acelerar el cambio del resto de organizaciones a cuantificar sus emisiones y así reducirlas y compensarlas. También se incluye el presupuesto del estudio., [EN] Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the main problems that affect climate change. As reflected in the Paris Agreement, the main goal is to: ¿Keep the global average temperature increase below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit that temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change¿. By quantifying those greenhouse gas emissions, companies are able to identify business risks and opportunities. The new environmental policies on the reduction of emissions cause companies to modify aspects to improve the impact they have on the environment. The quantification of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to adopt emission reduction measures, optimizing processes and making energy efficiency improvements. In addition, it is a key process as a strategy for the company's decision-making. This work is carried out under the criteria of the UNE-EN ISO 14064 and the GHG protocol, through which the carbon footprint for the year 2021 of a company in the gas sector is calculated. Emissions belonging to categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 are quantified, that is, direct and indirect emissions produced by the company's activities. The emission factors are obtained from official sources and the activity data is public information obtained from various plants for the estimation of emissions. In addition, the European Commission together with the United States launch the global commitment regarding methane, an initiative that pursues the following objective: ¿Countries joining the Global Methane Pledge commit to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030 and moving towards using best available inventory methodologies to quantify methane emissions, with a particular focus on high emission sources¿. For this reason, a methodology for quantifying methane emissions produced by fugitive emissions or venting during the company's activities is proposed. As a result, a high reduction potential is obtained in the categories of indirect emissions. In these categories, the company can not implement emission reduction measures, but it has the capacity to influence the rest of the organizations. By publishing the result of these emissions, they can accelerate the change of other organizations to quantify their emissions, reduce and offset them. The study budget is also included., [CAT] Les emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle són uns dels principals problemes que afecten el canvi climàtic. Com es reflectix en l'Acord de París, l'objectiu principal és: “Mantindre l'augment de la temperatura mitjana mundial molt per davall de 2 °C respecte als nivells preindustrials, i prosseguir els esforços per a limitar eixe augment de la temperatura a 1,5 °C respecte als nivells preindustrials, reconeixent que això reduiria considerablement els riscos i els efectes del canvi climátic”. Per mitjà de la quantificació d'eixes emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle, les empreses són capaces d'identificar els riscos i les oportunitats de negoci. Les noves polítiques mediambientals sobre la reducció d'emissions provoquen que les empreses hagen de modificar aspectes per a millorar l'impacte que exercixen en el medi ambient. La quantificació de les emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle és necessària per a adoptar mesures de reducció d'emissions, optimitzant els processos i realitzant millores d'eficiència energètica. A més, és un procés clau com a estratègia per a la presa de decisions de l'empresa." Este treball es realitza davall els criteris de la norma UNE-EN ISO 14064 i del GHG protocol, Per mitjà del quals, es calcula l'empremta de carboni de l'any 2021 d'una empresa del sector gasista. Es quantifiquen les emissions pertanyents les categories 1, 2, 3 i 4, és a dir, emissions directes i indirectes produïdes per les activitats de l'empresa. Els factors d'emissió s'obtenen de fonts oficials i les dades d'activitat son informació publica obtinguda d'unes quantes plantes per a l'estimació de les emissions. A més, la Comissió Europea junt amb Estats Units llancen el compromís global respecte al metà, una iniciativa que perseguix l'objectiu següent: “Countries joining the Global Methane Pledge commit to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030 and moving towards using best available inventory methodologies to quantify methane emissions, with a particular focus on high emission sources”. Per això, es proposa una metodologia de quantificació de les emissions de metà produïdes per emissions fugitives o venteos durant les activitats de l'empresa. Com a resultat s'obté un elevat potencial de reducció en les categories d'emissions indirectes. En estes categories l'empresa no pot implementar mesures de reducció d'emissions, però té la capacitat d'influir en la resta d'organitzacions. Per mitjà de la publicació del resultat d'estes emissions pot accelerar el canvi de la resta d'organitzacions a quantificar les seues emissions i així reduir-les i compensar-les. També s'inclou el pressupost de l'estudi.

We present an ex-post analysis of the effects of GDF’s acquisition of Suez in 2006, which created one of the world’s largest energy companies. We perform a series of econometric analyses on the market for trading at the Zeebrugge gas hub in Belgium. Removing barriers to entry and facilitating access to the hub through ownership unbundling were an important part of the objectives of the remedies imposed by the European Commission. Our analyses show a robust price decline after the merger. Additional evidence on traded volumes and hub participants is in line with an increased liquidity at the hub post-merger. This suggests the remedies were effective in limiting the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger. Moreover, it suggests that ownership unbundling has generated improved access to the hub. Therefore, remedies may have done more than simply mitigate the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger; they may have effectively created competition. ispartof: The Energy Journal vol:42 issue:6 pages:199-228 status: published

Der Klimawandel entwickelt sich zu einem der dominierenden Themen unserer Zeit und die Art und Weise, wie Unternehmen diesem begegnen, ist zunehmend entscheidend für deren zukünftigen Erfolg. Dies gilt insbesondere für Unternehmen des Gassektors mit ihrer traditionellen Fokussierung auf den fossilen Energieträger Erdgas; die politische Absicht dem Klimawandel entgegenzutreten, hat potenziell disruptive Auswirkungen auf die Geschäftsmodelle dieser Unternehmen. Um die strategischen Optionen dieser Unternehmen in diesem Kontext zu identifizieren, befasst sich diese Dissertation in einem ersten Schritt mit einer umfassenden Makro-Analyse der potenziellen Beiträge des Gassektors zur Schaffung eines klimaneutralen Energiesystems inkl. deren gesellschaftlicher Implikationen. Darauf aufbauend fokussiert diese Dissertation auf die organisatorische Ebene dieser Unternehmen und liefert eine Reihe von Erkenntnissen für die Forschung im Bereich der strategischen Reaktionen von Unternehmen auf institutionelle Einflüsse und Zwänge des Klimawandels. In diesem Zusammenhang wird auch untersucht, inwieweit und wie diese Unternehmen ihre Strategien und Aktivitäten von diesen institutionellen Zwängen entkoppeln. Weiters behandelt diese Dissertation die zentrale Rolle von öffentlichen Energieversorgungsunternehmen und trägt damit zum Stand der Forschung im Bereich der hybriden Unternehmen und ihrer Strategien in einem komplexen institutionellen Umfeld bei. Aus diesen Ergebnissen resultieren auch praktische Implikationen. Die Dissertation liefert damit eine Erklärung für den geringen Fort-schritt bei der Eindämmung des Klimawandels und bietet Empfehlungen wie der bestehende Deadlock aufgebrochen und weitere Verzögerungen am Weg hin zu einer nachhaltigeren und klimafreundlicheren Gesellschaft verhindert werden können. The issue of climate change develops into one of the dominant themes of our time and the way how companies respond to it may have major implications for their future success. This holds particularly true for the companies of the gas sector and their traditional focus on the fossil fuel natural gas. The political commitment to climate change mitigation might have disruptive impact on their business models. To better understand the strategic options which gas sector companies have in such a context, this dissertation provides, in a first step, a comprehensive macro level review of potential contributions of the gas sector to the establishment of a climate-neutral energy system incl. the societal implications. In a second step, this dissertation focuses on the organizational level of gas sector companies and adds to both literature and research on companies strategic responses to institutional pressures of climate change. In this context, it is also investigated, whether and how these companies decouple their strategies and activities from these institutional pressures. Thirdly, this dissertation investigates the central role of public energy utilities in climate change mitigation and contributes to the academic debate on hybrid organizations and their strategies within a complex institutional environment. These findings of the dissertation have practical implications also. They offer an explanation why progress with climate change mitigation has been slow and suggest how to break up this deadlock to prevent further delays on the way towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly society. submitted by Christian Lebelhuber, M.A. Abweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des Verfassers Universität Linz, Dissertation, 2020 (VLID)5469471

Since the beginning of the 19th century, we have assisted major proliferation of the oil and gas industry. This phenomenon of exponential growth is due to the fact that oil companies hold the world’s oil monopoly on the extraction, processing and commercialization. Therefore, as being one of the most influential sectors in the world, is crucial to strictly regulate how oil and gas contracts concerns the potential environmental and social impacts arising from the conduct of petroleum operations and how such behavior affects the human rights. As a matter of fact, the social issues field is an emerging area, and despite such importance, oil contracts do not often deal with them in great detail, corresponding to an actual emptiness of the human rights provisions. In terms of responsibly, oil companies, have an inalienable obligation to ensure that their actions do not violate human rights or contribute for their violation. This study aims to trace a detailed analysis of the impact of the oil and gas agreements in human rights. In order to fully comprehend the deep effects of this industry, we will examine, in detail, numerous of published oil and gas agreements, as well as, decode which are the real standards and practices accepted by this industry. We will use a deductive and speculative reasoning. We will try to demonstrate how incipient and short protection is given to human rights and what responsible conducts must urgently be developed.

Стаття присвячена дослідженню тенденцій розвитку глобальної енергетики та ідентифікації глобальних факторів впливу на розвиток національних енергетичних ринків. За результатами аналізу наукових публікацій та фактографічної інформації встановлено сутність та масштаби змін на енергетичних ринках, що суттєво впливають на формування енергетичної політики держав. З’ясовано, що основні глобальні тренди полягають у зміні моделі функціонування енергетичного сектора, поступовому скороченні використання викопного палива, формуванні конкурентного середовища на ринках природного газу, електроенергії, вугілля, інтенсивному розвитку технологій використання нетрадиційних енергоресурсів. Доведено, що домінантою економічного розвитку провідних країн світу стає парадигма підвищення енергоефективності й використання енергії із відновлюваних та альтернативних джерел. Одним із пріоритетів глобального розвитку енергетики стає впровадження заходів із запобігання та адаптації до зміни клімату. Наукова новизна дослідження полягає в ідентифікації, деталізації та систематизації глобальних чинників, які відображають загрози та можливості для розвитку світової енергетики і визначають основні тенденції розвитку енергетичних ринків. Встановлено, що розвиток національного ринку природного газу в середньо та довгостроковій перспективі, формування національної енергетичної стратегії вимагають урахування основних глобальних чинників, які в процесі дослідження було ідентифіковано та систематизовано за такими групами, як ринкові, політичні, ресурсні, технологічні, інфраструктурні, екологічні, інституційні. Перспективи подальших досліджень полягатимуть у деталізації та кількісному оцінюванні впливу глобальних чинників на розвиток національних енергетичних ринків, що сприятиме удосконаленню теоретико-методичного інструментарію прогнозування розвитку національних та світової енергетики, інтеграції енергетичних ринків у глобальному вимірі, вирішенню питань сталого розвитку людства та збереження природного середовища у довгостроковій перспективі., The article is devoted to the study of global energy development trends and the identification of global impact factors on the development of national energy markets. The analysis of scientific publications and factual information revealed the nature and extent of changes taking place in the energy markets and significantly affecting the formation of energy policy of the states. It is revealed that the main global trends consist in changing the model of the energy sector, the gradual reduction of the use of fossil fuels, the formation of a competitive environment in the markets of natural gas, electricity, coal, intensive development of technologies for the use of non-conventional energy resources. It is proved that the dominant economic development of the leading countries of the world is the paradigm of improving energy efficiency and the use of renewable and alternative energy sources. At the same time, one of the priorities of global energy development is the introduction of measures to prevent and adapt to climate change. The scientific novelty of this study is to identify, detail and systematize global factors that reflect the threats and opportunities for the development of world energy and determine the main trends in the development of energy markets. It is established that the development of the national market of natural gas in the medium and long term, the formation of a national energy strategy require the consideration of the main global factors that are identified and systematized in the research process by groups such as market, political, resource, technological, infrastructure, environmental, institutional . The prospects for further research will be to detail and quantify the impact of global factors on the development of national energy markets, which will contribute to the improvement of theoretical and methodological tools for forecasting the development of national and world energy, the integration of energy markets in the global dimension, addressing issues of sustainable human development and the preservation of the natural environment in the long term.

We present an ex-post analysis of the effects of GDF’s acquisition of Suez in 2006 created one of the world’s largest energy companies. We perform an econometric analysis, based on Difference-in-Difference techniques on the market for trading on the Zeebrugge gas hub in Belgium. Removing barriers to entry and facilitating access to the hub through ownership unbundling were an important part of the objectives of the remedies imposed by the European Commission. Our analysis shows a price decline after the merger. This decline suggests the remedies were effective in limiting the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger. Moreover, it suggests that ownership unbundling has generated improved access to the hub. Therefore, the remedies may have done more than simply mitigate the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger; they may have effectively created competition. ispartof: FEB Research Report MSI_1706 nrpages: 35 status: published

Fuel and energy complex (FEC) is one of the main elements of the economy of any territory over which intertwine the interests of all economic entities. To ensure economic growth of the region should ensure that internal balance of energy resources, which should be developed with account of regional specifics of economic growth and energy security. The study examined the status of this equilibrium, indicating fuel and energy balance of the region (TEB). The aim of the research is the development of the fuel and energy balance, which will allow to determine exactly how many and what resources are not enough to ensure the regional development strategy and what resources need to be brought in. In the energy balances as the focus of displays all issues of regional development, so thermopile is necessary as a mechanism of analysis of current issues, economic development, and in the forward-looking version — as a tool future vision for the fuel and energy complex, energy threats and ways of overcoming them. The variety of relationships in the energy sector with other sectors and aspects of society lead to the fact that the development of the fuel and energy balance of the region have to go beyond the actual energy sector, involving the analysis of other sectors of economy, as well as systems such as banking, budgetary, legislative, tax. Due to the complexity of the discussed problems, the obvious is the need to develop appropriate forecast-analytical system, allowing regional authorities to implement evidence-based predictions of the consequences of management decisions. Multivariant scenario study on development of fuel and energy complex and separately industry, to use the methods of project-based management, harmonized application of state regulation of strategic and market mechanisms on the operational directions of development of fuel and energy complex and separately industry in the economy of the region.

The liberalization of energy markets is primary objective for each member and candidate State of the European Union. In order to achieve an internal energy market, European Commission set up three energy packages for electricity and gas market complete opening up to the competition step by ste^p. For a better understanding of the energy legislations and policies in France and in Turkey, it is essential to have a main knowledge related to the organisation and operation of their electricity and gas markets from the beginning by examining the institutions and monopolistic companies such as EDF, TEK, GDF, BOTAS, and their historical evolution period until the european energy directives implementation. Thereafter, it is prominent to examine chronologically every step of the liberalisation enforced by the energy packages (internal energy market 1996-2000, second energy package 2000-2007, third energy package 2007-2011, next step Energy 2020), and compare the legal procedure of the energy market liberalization process by analyzing their legislations in place and modifications during the european energy directives implementation process., La libéralisation des marchés énergétiques est un objectif primordial pour tous les Etats membres et candidats à l'Union européenne. Dans le but d'arriver à un marché de l'énergie, la Commission européenne a mis en place trois paquets énergie pour l'ouverture complète des marchés électriques et gaziers à la concurrence étape par étape. Pour mieux comprendre les législations et les politiques énergétiques en France et en Turquie, il est indispensable d'avoir une connaissance principale sur l'organisation et le fonctionnement de leurs marchés électriques et gaziers dès l'origine en élaborant les institutions et entreprises monopolistiques en tant que EDF, TEK, GDF BOTAS, et leur évolution historique jusqu'à la mise en place des directives énergétiques européennes. Par la suite, il est important d'examiner chronologiquement chaque étape de libéralisation imposé par les paquets énergie (mise en place du marché intérieur 1996-2000, le deuxième paquet énergie 2000-2007, le troisième paquet énergie 2007-2011,prochaine étape Energy 2020), et comparer la procédure juridique du procès de la libéralisation des marchés énergétiques en examinant leurs législations en vigueur et leurs modifications pendant l'implémentation des directives énergétiques européennes.

Myanmar has the opportunity to significantly enhance energy access, starting from a situation where energy consumption per capita is among the lowest in the world. Two-thirds of the population is not connected to the national electricity grid, and 84 percent of rural households lack access to electricity. The lack of affordable and reliable power is a key constraint to the delivery of vital services such as health, education and finance for rural populations, and for private sector development and job creation more broadly. Also, access to modern fuels for cooking (such as liquefied petroleum gas) is limited to urban areas. Consequently, traditional biomass (wood and animal dung) is widely used and accounts for about 70 percent of primary energy consumption. The Government’s National Electrification Plan aims to electrify more than 7 million households and achieve access to electricity for 36 million people by 2030. Achieving this objective (which is also the UN SDG7 in Myanmar) is vital to poverty reduction and shared prosperity.

The oil and gas sector in Ethiopia, currently at a very early stage of development, shows good potential for development on the long-run. The sector will benefit from strategies and policies to implement the broader vision for the sector. Development of the oil and gas sector in Ethiopia has the potential to transform the country’s economy. To this end, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has requested technical assistance and capacity building support from the World Bank as part of a wider package of support provided by the Bank (in coordination with other development partners) to develop the extractive industries (oil, gas, and mining) sector of Ethiopia. The main objective of the work to be undertaken, is to provide guidance and build capacity in GoE as it undertakes the wider update of its policy, legal, and regulatory framework of the oil and gas sector. Adam Smith International (ASI) was contracted to review the policy and regulatory framework for the oil and gas sector and provide recommendations. This final report on policy and regulatory options has been prepared at the conclusion of the analytical stage of the project, and was preceded by the initiation report submitted in July 2015. This report has two objectives. Firstly, to provide a comprehensive review of the current policy of the GoE towards the oil and natural gas sector. Secondly, to evaluate the regulatory framework in terms of good international practice.

The Nigeria Economic Report (NER) is a regular publication of the World Bank. Each edition provides an overview of recent macroeconomic developments and devotes special attention to a topic of particular relevance or urgency. In this edition the macroeconomic overview is followed by both a detailed analysis of the country’s fuel subsidy and an assessment of the current state and economic potential of its natural gas sector. 2015 has been a momentous year for Nigeria. The general elections held in March brought about the first democratic transition of power from a ruling party to an opposition party, heightening expectations for meaningful political change. The new Government is taking power during a very challenging time, however, marked by a sharp decline in global oil prices and continuing violence in the country’s northeast. This creates a difficult context for realizing the new administration’s ambitious reform agenda for job creation, the power sector, oil and gas, agriculture, and public administration. Chapter two of the report analyzes the costs and benefits of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy, including their implications for low-income households. Fuel subsidy costs are expected to amount to 18 percent of government oil revenues in 2015, and this share could increase to more than 30 percent by 2018 even if oil prices remain low. There is a general consensus that increasing the supply of power in Nigeria is critical to the future development of the country. The success of the current plans to boost generation capacity will hinge on the development of the natural gas sector. Nigeria is endowed with substantial natural gas reserves, but major reforms will be necessary to attract the investment necessary to harness the potential of the natural gas sector to supply the domestic energy market. Chapter three of this report summarizes the current regulatory situation in the natural gas sector and outlines potential avenues for reform.

The country partnership framework (CPF) for Azerbaijan covering the period FY2016-20, sets out the World Bank Group (WBG) support to the country on its path toward a sustainable, inclusive, and private sector-led growth underpinned by a diversified asset base. The country’s strategic goals are laid out in its development strategy - Azerbaijan 2020: vision for the future and other strategic documents that aim at reducing Azerbaijan’s dependence on oil and gas revenues and strengthening its resilience to external shocks through investments into diversified human capital, physical infrastructure, and stronger institutions. The CPF builds on the WBG systematic country diagnostic (SCD) for Azerbaijan and aligns its objectives with the constraints and priorities identified in the SCD. Over the past decade, Azerbaijan has made remarkable progress toward reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity. In response to the emerging challenges and the mounting depreciation pressures, the government devalued the national currency and committed to fiscal consolidation. The CPF takes into account the government’s intention to optimize the external borrowing over the medium term as part of the ongoing effort to maintain fiscal sustainability. The CPF lending program will help Azerbaijan in meeting its development objectives through engagement in priority areas where the country’s ownership is strong, where the WBG has a comparative advantage and where the potential impact on the WBG twin goals is substantial. The CPF will address the SCD connectivity agenda through investments into the development of the county’s transport and transit corridors as well as improvement of local infrastructure at the community level. The CPF results are grouped around two focus areas and eight objectives that aim at improved public sector management and service delivery, and enhanced economic competitiveness.

The objective of the note is to inform the governments policy thinking by identifying the principal challenges that the power sector faces and outlining solutions for overcoming them. The note also discusses some broader energy sector issues related to the gas tariff structure and demand. The note will also be disseminated to increase understanding and awareness among key stakeholders and the general public on the key challenges facing the power sector and the potential solutions for overcoming them. This will help to promote improved dialogue and collaboration between the government and the other key stakeholders. The note is organized in following topics: power sector structure; synopsis of challenges and solutions; principal challenges and solutions; and annexes.

This issue of Handshake, focused on public-private partnerships in the power sector, brings diverse expert voices together to discuss how to increase access to energy in developing countries. Features on hydropower and renewables together with examples from Africa and Latin America provide an up-to-the-minute look at one of the most important and rapidly evolving sectors today. This issue includes the following headings: power and mining: digging deep to power up; market mover: intraday electricity trading; timeline to transformation: Nigerias privatization; energy for development: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MITs) new research; and interview: United Nation (UN) sustainable energy for all (SE4ALL) special representative Kandeh Yumkella. Whats it like to be energy-poor? Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All, answers that question and many more in this issue of Handshake. Yumkella recalls his own experiences in Sierra Leone to illustrate the link between energy poverty and income poverty and explains how PPPs can help.

This report is structured as follows. Chapter one analyzes the performance of Kazakhstan s trade. Chapter two presents an overview of recent developments in Kazakhstan regional and international trade integration. Chapter three examines in detail key issues related to market access, focusing on non-tariff measures and trade facilitation and logistics. Chapter four examines the services sector and offers a roadmap for actions to enhance its competitiveness. Chapter five addresses building institutional capacity for the trade and competitiveness agenda. The report s recommendations are summarized in the following table. In order of the four main messages of the report, they cover balancing regional and international integration efforts, measures to improve access to inputs and export markets by reducing non-tariff barriers and through trade facilitation measures, raising the quality and efficiency of the services sector, and strengthening institutional capacity to implement an effective trade policy and competitiveness agenda.

This report provides a brief overview of six economic zones in Nigeria, and discusses the main findings with respect to the zones: development goals and the anticipated benefits of the zone projects, key implementation challenges and preliminary proposals on enhancing the development/implementation process moving forward. The objective is to improve the shared understanding of these six zone projects and to identify opportunities on how foreign investments in these six zones can provide the maximum possible benefits both for investing countries and the host country. Based on a preliminary assessment, it seems all six zones reviewed in this report have made some progress, albeit at different degrees. In terms of real development, the Lekki Free Zone and the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone have made the most significant progresses, with some on-site infrastructure already built or committed and several firms already operating in the zones. The zones in Abuja and Delta State are mostly in the early stages, but they seem to have strong government ownership and backing and each got several potential partners or anchor firms interested for investing.

More than a decade of ambitious sector reform has led to a period of stability in the Armenian energy sector. The sector faces challenges more typical of a developed economy than an emerging one: policymakers' concerns have shifted from avoiding total system collapse to optimizing the energy supply mix to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy services. However, some old challenges remain and new ones have arisen. Armenia is still vulnerable to energy supply disruptions; tariffs lag the full cost of service provision; and a significant investment backlog impedes progress in energy infrastructure. The purpose of this note is to present the analysis of the challenges facing Armenia's energy sector, specifically, its electricity, natural gas, and heating subsectors. The intention of the note is not to prescribe solutions, but to present analysis of options and tradeoffs that the Government can use to inform its decision-making. Armenia's energy sector has undergone a series of reforms over the last fifteen years, which included privatization of the electricity distribution and gas companies, and some generating companies, establishment of an independent regulator, and development of a formal strategic plan for the sector. This energy sector overview highlights important outcomes from reforms and describes key sector characteristics.

In the article, I focus on the goal of creating a single competitive European natural gas market. After a brief discourse on the debate between theoretical and practical economists on the best mode to liberalise the energy sector, I lay out the vision of the European Union for gas market liberalisation and its outcome. With the help of a case study from the Czech Republic, I explain that the competencies of the European Union to reach its goals in a sufficient way are limited and, moreover, that EU reforms may even create unintended, negative side effects, which in some cases deliver less benefits than costs. The cause is the basic features - or the "nature" - of the gas market and the different institutional settings of each member state within which liberalisation has been implemented. The third package of legislation introduced by the European Commission in September 2007 should boost the single competitive market. Proposed provisions influence legal and regulatory rules and have an impact on market structure; however, none of these provisions have the power to change the key characteristics of the gas market, which remain the real source of the problem, namely the lack of self-sufficiency of the EU with regard to sources of natural gas and the oligopoly nature of important gas producers out of reach of EU legislation. The impossibility to change these key characteristics of the gas market indicates that a more important challenge than the third package will be active foreign policy of the EU, aimed either at opening markets beyond the EU border or at protecting fragile competition.

Recent trends in the European Union with regard to legal regulations in the gas sector, which have an impact on each member state, are directed at the liberalisation of the gas market. Even though the Energy Union was established, the Lisbon Treaty came into force with provisions developed on energy. Known as the Third Energy Package, this increased the competitiveness of the market. However, discussions in this field are still ongoing. The aim of the article is to assess the impact of this particular EU legislation on Czech law. To do this, an examination will be made of how strategic the gas sector is in this member state. Taking into account the country’s importance as a gas transit state and a state receiver, the role of the Czech Republic will also be discussed in the process of formation of a competitive gas market following the application of legislative measures in the sector.