Hungary: Paks 2 moves toward main construction phase with new regulatory approvals Read More »

Hungary: Paks 2 moves toward main construction phase with new regulatory approvals

The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (OAH) has issued new construction permits enabling the start of foundation concrete pouring for unit 5 at the Paks nuclear power plant, which is being designed and built by Russia’s Rosatom. The approvals also cover the construction of nuclear island facilities, marking a significant step forward for the project. The […]

Hungary: MOL CEO says Danube refinery fire caused by technical failure, not sabotage Read More »

Hungary: MOL CEO says Danube refinery fire caused by technical failure, not sabotage

MOL Group CEO Zsolt Hernadi has dismissed claims that the recent fire at the company’s Danube refinery in Százhalombatta was the result of sabotage or politically motivated interference, stating that the incident was caused solely by a technical malfunction. The fire, which occurred on 20 October, originated within the refinery’s interconnected processing units and was

Hungary: HUPX day-ahead power price jumps 20 % in October 2025 Read More »

Hungary: HUPX day-ahead power price jumps 20 % in October 2025

The average day-ahead electricity price on the Hungarian power exchange HUPX reached 122.09 euros/MWh in October 2025, marking a 20 percent increase compared to September, when the baseload average stood at 101.93 euros/MWh. Peak load prices followed the same upward trend, averaging 129.22 euros/MWh in October, up 33 percent month-on-month. Trading activity on the day-ahead

Bulgaria: Bulgargaz proposes lower wholesale gas price for December 2025 Read More »

Bulgaria: Bulgargaz proposes lower wholesale gas price for December 2025

Bulgarian state-owned gas supplier Bulgargaz has proposed a lower wholesale natural gas price for December 2025. The expected price for December is around 33.4 euros/MWh, representing a slight reduction of about 1 percent compared to the approved November price of approximately 33.7 euros/MWh. The November tariff, in turn, marked a 7.88 percent increase from October.

Bulgaria: Cengiz Holding and SOCAR move to acquire Lukoil’s Burgas refinery in $2.5 billion deal Read More »

Bulgaria: Cengiz Holding and SOCAR move to acquire Lukoil’s Burgas refinery in $2.5 billion deal

According to media reports, Turkish conglomerate Cengiz Holding and Azerbaijan’s state-owned energy company SOCAR are moving forward with plans to acquire Lukoil’s Neftochim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria. Their joint bid was submitted more than a year ago, reportedly surpassing several international competitors. The deal, estimated at around 2.5 billion dollars, would give the two companies

Design certainty, bankable outcomes: Engineering that inspires investor confidence Read More »

Design certainty, bankable outcomes: Engineering that inspires investor confidence

Bankability begins long before contracts are signed or funding is arranged. It starts in the design office, where each technical decision defines cost exposure, construction risk, and operating reliability. For investors and lenders, engineering soundness is not a technical luxury—it is financial assurance. The Owner’s Engineer (OE) translates design integrity into credit confidence. A project’s

Technical due diligence as investor defense: The OE as lenders’ first line of verification Read More »

Technical due diligence as investor defense: The OE as lenders’ first line of verification

Technical due diligence (TDD) transforms project ambition into factual verification. For investors, it is the first barrier against unrealistic proposals. The OE leads this process, reviewing engineering documentation, permits, contractual structure, and resource planning to confirm that a project is both technically and commercially feasible. What the bank looks for Lenders evaluate readiness through the

From obligation to advantage: How ESG and compliance create bankable assurance Read More »

From obligation to advantage: How ESG and compliance create bankable assurance

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) due diligence has moved from optional to mandatory. Lenders and export-credit agencies demand alignment with international standards such as IFC Performance Requirements and Equator Principles. The OE ensures that environmental and social management systems are not just declared but implemented. Linking ESG to finance Non-compliance now directly affects funding. Breach

Structuring safeguards: How risk engineering converts uncertainty into control Read More »

Structuring safeguards: How risk engineering converts uncertainty into control

Every infrastructure investment carries uncertainty—technical, commercial, regulatory, and environmental. Risk engineering converts these uncertainties into measurable safeguards. The OE leads this process, building risk registers that quantify probability, impact, and mitigation cost. From visibility to control The value of a risk register lies not in listing hazards but in linking them to decisions. The OE’s

How the Owner’s Engineer serves as the investor’s technical intelligence arm Read More »

How the Owner’s Engineer serves as the investor’s technical intelligence arm

Between contractor optimism and investor caution stands the OE—neutral, data-driven, and answerable to the project’s financiers. Its reports inform disbursements, drawdowns, and milestone acceptance. To banks, the OE is an intelligence service, converting field reality into strategic insight. Reporting architecture Regular progress reports cover schedule, QA/QC, HSE, and cost performance. The OE translates engineering jargon

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