Cornwall Insight: Britain to see a 5% increase in energy prices by April
Analysts at Cornwall Insight predicted that Britain's energy price cap would rise by almost 5% this April. Cold weather and low levels of gas storage in Europe are keeping wholesale prices high. This would be the third consecutive quarter of increases, and would be a major blow to the government, who has set a goal of reducing energy costs. Craig Lowrey is a principal consultant with Cornwall Insight. He said that the market was more volatile than in recent memory, and households were bearing the brunt due to cold weather, low gas storage, and other factors.
Prices near four-week-low on US-Russian talks and weaker demand
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas held near four-week lows, as the market awaited the outcome of talks between the U.S.A. and Russia on how to end conflict in Ukraine. Strong renewables output also curbed demand. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down 0.07 euros at 47.65 Euro per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $14.60/mmBtu by 0913 GMT. The contract traded earlier at 47.15 Euros/MWh, the lowest level since 20 January. The Dutch April contract is down by 0.29 euros at 47.44 Euro/MWh.
US Energy Secretary attacks "sinister" net zero goals and singles out Britain
Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy secretary, called Monday's pledge to reach net zero carbon emission by 2050 "a sinister goal" and criticized British efforts to meet clean energy targets. The former president Joe Biden has set an ambitious goal for 2021: to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 in order to combat climate change. This will be achieved in part through subsidies that encourage the expansion of clean energy sources and electric vehicles. Wright…
China is ready to deepen and improve ties with the UK
China is willing to improve and stabilize bilateral relations with the United Kingdom, as well as to cooperate more in the areas of infrastructure, trade, and investment. This was stated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a Friday statement, citing their minister. Wang Yi visited Britain for the first time since a decade on Thursday. He met with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor. Wang, in his meeting with Keirstarmer…
Trump announces that the US will increase its military sales to India and eventually provide F-35 Jets
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that the United States would increase its military sales to India beginning in 2025. It will also eventually provide F-35 jet fighters. "We will increase military sales to India many billions dollars." Trump told reporters that we're also clearing the path to eventually provide India with F-35 stealth aircraft. Trump didn't provide a timetable, but it usually takes years to complete foreign military sales. This is especially true for cutting-edge technologies like the stealthy F-35.
Prices of gas in Europe are lower than the first session for a second session. Ukraine Peace prospects dominate
The wholesale gas price in the Netherlands and Britain continued to fall on Thursday, after reaching a two-year peak on Tuesday. Market participants were watching for any further developments regarding the efforts of U.S. president Donald Trump to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was lower by 2.85 euros, or $16.21/mmBtu at 1003 GMT. The contract was well below the intra-day peak of 59.27 euro/MWh, reached on Tuesday. This is its highest level since Febuary 2023.
Britain launches offshore Wind Farm Incentives Scheme
The UK launched an incentive programme for offshore wind projects on Thursday, hoping to convince developers to invest in order to achieve the ambitious goal of decarbonising its energy system by the year 2030. The Clean Industry Bonus scheme will give successful bidders an initial funding of 27 million pounds (33.5 million dollars) for each gigawatt (GW), or capacity, from offshore wind project. In December, Britain announced that it hoped to increase capacity from 15 GW to 43-50 GW within the next decade.
Equinor will continue with the Rosebank oil and Gas Project in Britain
The UK manager of Equinor, the Norwegian oil and natural gas producer, said Wednesday at a conference on energy in New Delhi that the company will continue to develop its Rosebank oil field. Equinor, along with its partner Ithaca Energy, wants to develop the Rosebank Oil and Gas Field. However the plans to develop one of Britain's final major oil reservoirs have been a lightning-rod for climate activists who are calling for an end to fossil fuel production.
Prices fall in Europe amid profit-taking and temperature revision
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain fell Wednesday morning, as profit-taking took place after Tuesday's new two-year peak. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was 1,35 euros lower at 55.10 Euro per megawatt hour by 1307 GMT. The Dutch April contract is down by 2.48 Euros at 55.12 euro/MWh. The front-month contract in Britain fell 4.54 pence, to 134.41 cents per therm. A gas trader stated that…
Prices of EUROPE GAS are down from their two-year-highs, but storage issues remain
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell from their two-year highs, but the lower temperatures and concerns about storage levels were the main reasons. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down by 1.21 euros at 57.05 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $17.25/mmBtu as of 0922 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest intra-day level of 58.51 euro/MWh. This is its highest since February 2023. The Dutch April contract is down by 1.09 euros at 56.90 Euro/MWh.
ChampionX executive: New U.S. tariffs on metals will increase oilfield equipment prices.
A company official told reporters on Tuesday that ChampionX anticipates the new U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum will increase equipment costs for oilfield services firms. U.S. president Donald Trump increased tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum on Monday, to a flat rate of 25% "without any exceptions or exclusions". He hopes this will help struggling industries in the United States. However, it also risks igniting a multifront trade war.
EU rules could overheat a gas market already on fire: Bousso
European policymakers who are worried about rising energy prices have already shot themselves in two feet. Two rules designed to manage the gas market of the region run the risk instead of overheating the market during the summer months, when stocks should be refilled. In response to the disruption of gas supplies caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European Union set binding targets for the storage of gas in November. The rules include intermediate goals for February, April, July, and September.
Norway will now focus on floating offshore wind turbines instead of the new bottom-fixed tender
Norway said that it will not be offering acreage for the development of bottom-fixed offshore farms when it announces its next tenders. Instead, it will focus on floating wind power options. The government has previously stated that it will offer new areas along the North Sea, bordering Denmark, suitable for installing turbines on seabeds. These areas may also be connected to other countries through hybrid cables. Terje Aasland, Energy Minister Terje's…
Prices of EUROPE GAS rise to two-year-highs due to cold storage withdrawals
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas rose on Monday to levels not seen in the past two years, as colder temperatures increased demand and storage withdrawals increased. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was up by 2.22 euros, at 58.20 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), at 0902 GMT. This is the highest level seen since February 2023. The Dutch April contract increased by 2.49 euros to 58.03 Euro/MWh. The front-month contract in Britain rose 5.34 pence to 141.45p/therm. This is also a new two-year record.
UK reduces subsidies for Drax biomass power plant
Britain announced that it had reached a new agreement with Drax, which would reduce subsidies to the domestic power producers by half between 2027 and 2031. This will save consumers money while ensuring that the group uses sustainable sources of woody biofuel. The government announced on Monday that Drax's role would be much more limited under the new agreement, providing low-carbon dispatchable energy only when "really needed". The statement stated…
EUROPE GAS - Prices trade within a narrow band amid cold weather and storage concerns
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas traded in a narrow band on Wednesday morning. They remained near their 15-month peak seen earlier this week amid a cold weather forecast and concern over the storage build. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was almost flat at 52.30 Euros per megawatt-hour (15.93/mmBtu) by 0949 GMT. The contract reached a high intra-day of 54.61 euro/MWh Monday. This is its highest level since 2023, and it has increased by over 30% since mid-December.
TotalEnergies CEO: US funding for Mozambique LNG Project expected in the coming weeks
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne stated on Wednesday that the financing for the $20 billion Mozambique Gas Project is expected to be approved by the United States in the coming weeks. Other credit agencies will follow in the following months. The company must wait for the reapproval of loans from the United States and UK export credit agencies, before it can lift the force majeure that has been placed on the project since 2021. Pouyanne, speaking to journalists following the release of fourth-quarter earnings reported by his company…
Prices for Europe GAS fall due to mixed temperatures and strong renewable output
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain fell on Tuesday, reversing a 15-month peak reached the previous session due to mixed weather forecasts and a higher renewable production. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down by 1.18 euros at 52.57 Euro per Megawatt-Hour (MWh) or $15.91/mmBtu at 1235 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest intra-day level of 54.61 euro/MWh. This is its highest level since November 2023. The Dutch April contract is down by 2.00 euros at 51.65 Euro/MWh.
EUROPE GAS Prices fall on profit-taking and mixed temperatures outlook
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell on Tuesday morning due to profit-taking. Prices had reached a new 15-month-high on Monday, amid mixed weather forecasts for this week. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was lower by 0.65 euros at 53.10 Euro per Megawatt-hour (MWh) or $16.10/mmBtu at 0925 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest intra-day level of 54.61 euro/MWh. This is its highest level since November 2023.
EUROPE GAS - Prices at a new 15-month high due to cold weather and restocking fears
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas rose on Friday morning to a new 15-month high as the cold weather forecasts increased demand. There were also concerns about storage refilling due to tightness on the market. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub rose by 0.78 euros at 51.60 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $15.80/mmBtu at 0948 GMT. This was its highest level since October 20, 2023. The Dutch March contract increased by 0.50 euros to 52.22 Euro/MWh.
