August 2010: The World Bank has released a report on the energy outlook in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, warning that following the recent economic downturn, the energy demands of this region will again require strong investment in new energy sources, raising environmental and carbon footprint concerns.

The report, titled: “Lights Out? The Outlook for Energy in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union,” underlines that the challenge for these countries is to secure additional energy supplies quickly and at minimum cost, while limiting the growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Proposed measures include: undertaking of major energy efficiency measures on the supply and consumption sides, including reducing the large amounts of flared and vented gas; and minimizing the carbon footprint of the new capacity to be added. [The Report]