Completion of the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) expansion eliminates Czech Republic’s reliance on Russian oil imports. This project, costing 1.5 billion Czech koruna ($61 million), doubles the country’s oil import capacity to eight million tons annually via the TAL and IKL pipelines. The increased capacity ensures a secure oil supply from Western sources. The initiative, funded by Mero, effectively ends Russian leverage over Czech oil supplies.
The Baltics are on the cusp of a momentous occasion: severing their last remaining energy ties with Russia. A digital clock in Vilnius, Lithuania, dramatically counts down the days until February 8th, the date scheduled for the complete disconnection from the Russian and Belarusian electricity grid. This isn’t just about flipping a switch; it represents the culmination of years of strategic planning and substantial investment.
This momentous disconnection signifies a significant step towards complete energy independence for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. For years, these nations shared a high-voltage power line infrastructure with their eastern neighbors, a legacy of the Soviet era.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood