Freeport LNG plant in Texas will remain closed until the power supply stabilises
Freeport LNG, a U.S. company that exports liquefied gas, said Wednesday it had closed its Texas plant on Jan. 21, due to an electrical problem caused by a winter storm. It will remain shut until the power supply is stabilized. CenterPoint Energy officials in the United States were not immediately available to comment. CenterPoint released a statement on Tuesday stating that more…
Portugal imports more US and Nigerian LNG in order to stop Russian supplies
The Portuguese government plans to buy more liquefied gas (LNG), mainly from the United States, and Nigeria to replace its already diminishing Russian supplies. This was announced by Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho on Tuesday. Data from the electricity and gas grid operator REN show that Portugal will import 49,141 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024. Of this, 96% is LNG. About 40% of these LNG deliveries came from the United States, and about 4.4% from Russia.
The demand for US natgas is expected to reach a record high on Tuesday
The U.S. demand for natural gas is expected to hit a record on Tuesday as the extreme cold that has affected much of America puts pressure on power grids, and certain oil and gas operations. Last week, the February natural gas contract reached its highest price since December 30, 2022. The cold weather that accompanied the weekend had the potential to reduce output due to the freezing of gas wells and pipelines.
Spot prices drop on higher expected wind generation
The European power prices for the next day were lower than on Monday, as a result of a slight decline in wind energy supply. This was partially offset by an increase in electricity demand. LSEG data shows that the price of German baseload electricity for Tuesday at 0933 GMT was 169.75 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), down 2% compared to Friday's Monday price. The French day-ahead electricity was at 156.25 Euros/MWh. On Friday, the Monday contract was not traded.
If elected, German opposition leader promises to build 50 gas-fired energy plants
The t-online newspaper reported that the opposition leader Friedrich Merz has pledged to build 50 gas-fired plants if the conservatives win in the snap elections on February 23. In November, Germany's gas-fired electricity output jumped a record 79% from the previous month as utilities scrambled for a way to compensate for a second consecutive month of wind farm output that was significantly below normal.
After holiday weekend, US demand for natgas is expected to reach record levels
The U.S. demand for natural gas is expected to hit a record next week, as the extreme cold that has gripped the U.S. this winter will put pressure on power grids again the day following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. This week, gas futures reached two-year highs ahead of the freezing weather. Meanwhile, spot prices in several major hubs around the country have risen to their highest level since January 2024's Martin Luther King holiday weekend.
Argentina negotiates gas imports with Bolivia and Chile after heatwave increases demand
Bolivia and Chile have begun talks to resume gas exports to Argentina, amid a spike in demand sparked by a heatwave this summer. This highlights the challenges facing the government of Buenos Aires in its quest to become self-sufficient in energy. Armin Dorgathen Taia, the head of Bolivia's state energy company YPFB told me by phone on Friday that "we are in a negotiations with Argentina to create a contract spot". These talks were previously unknown.
Executive: Bolivia and Argentina in talks to restart gas supply due to spike in demand
Bolivia's state energy company YPFB has begun talks with Argentina to resume gas exports, amid a spike in demand sparked by a heatwave this summer. This highlights the challenges facing the government of Buenos Aires in its quest to become self-sufficient in energy. Armin Dorgathen Tapiea, the YPFB's chief, told a reporter by phone on Friday that "we are in a discussion with Argentina about creating a spot contract." These talks were previously unknown.
Portugal is keen to create an offshore wind cluster that could reach up to 10 gigawatts
Portugal's Government said on Friday that it is keen to create a cluster wind farms off the coast of its Atlantic Ocean. The total power of these wind farms could reach around 10 gigawatts. Lisbon approved last week four areas where offshore wind farms could be installed. This is a big step towards the launch of the first offshore license auction that it plans to conduct this year.
German wind supplies are down, prompting a drop in prices.
The European power prices for the following Monday were not traded on Friday due to the expected decline in wind power supplies in Germany and declining demand. LSEG data shows that the German and French baseload contracts for Monday were not traded as of 1102 GMT. LSEG data indicated that the German wind power production was expected Monday to drop by 4 gigawatts to 4.8 GW. The French wind output, however, was expected to increase 460 megawatts to 1.5 GW.
China's carbon power will rise in 2024, surpassing expectations that coal would peak
Official data released on Friday showed that China's thermal power generation, which is mainly coal-powered, increased by 1.5% between 2024 and 2025. This was contrary to expectations, as coal generation had been expected to peak. However, growth has slowed down, reaching its lowest level in nine years, excluding years during the COVID-19 epidemic. The data revealed the difficulties…
Trump's nominee for Interior Department says that boosting energy is key to US security
Doug Burgum, Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Interior Department said on Thursday that he would vigorously pursue President-elect Trump's goals to maximize energy production from U.S. Public Lands and Waters, calling it a key to national security. Burgum's remarks to lawmakers at his nomination hearing indicate a sharp change in policy. For years, President Joe Biden tried to…
Hapoalim provides $1.5 billion to Dalia Energy for a new power plant
Dalia Energy, an Israeli company, announced on Thursday that it had signed a loan agreement with Bank Hapoalim for 5.3 billion Shekels ($1.5billion) to fund the construction of a brand new power plant. The deal, which is non-binding, is intended to fund the construction of a new power plant with a capacity of up to 850 megawatts at the site of Ashdod's current Eshol Power Station.
Spot prices dip on more solar power, lower demand
European prompt electricity prices fell on Thursday, as a combination of a growing solar supply and lowered demand was expected to offset a decline in wind supply. As of 1018 GMT, the German baseload electricity for Friday fell 4.4% to 147.75 Euro per Megawatt Hour (MWh). The French baseload for the day ahead was down by 0.9% to 140.75 Euros. LSEG data shows that the German wind output will fall by 1.9 gigawatts to 8.7 GW this Friday.
China's lead in coal imports over India is the largest it has been in more than 10 years
China, the largest coal importer in the world, has extended its lead over India, No. The gap between China and India, the world's No. 2 coal buyer last year, was the largest since at least 2013. Customs data show. This helped cement its grip on global markets while also helping to stem a price slide. According to the International Energy Agency, global thermal coal prices are still 50% higher than average for the period 2017-19…
The separatist enclave of Moldova hopes that Russia will soon resume gas supplies
Vadim Krsnoselsky, the leader of Transdniestria, a breakaway region in Moldova, said that it expects to be able to get Russian gas soon, to meet its own needs. This comes after two weeks of crippling power outages. Prime Minister of Moldova's pro European central government, said that Russia is determined to bring a Moscow friendly government into power in the country. He said that…
Sweden builds 100,000-year storage site for spent nuclear material
Sweden began building a final nuclear fuel storage facility on Wednesday. It is only the second site of its kind in the world where highly radioactive wastes will be stored for 100 years. Since the commercialization of nuclear reactors in the 1950s, the question of how to safely store radioactive waste has plagued the industry. Finland is the only nation that has a permanent site in its final stages of construction.
The separatist enclave of Moldova hopes that Russia will soon resume gas supplies
Vadim Krsnoselsky, the leader of Transdniestria, a breakaway region in Moldova, said that it expects to be able to get Russian gas soon, to meet its own needs. This comes after two weeks of crippling power outages. Since January 1, when Russia's Gazprom stopped gas exports into the region, Chisinau has refused to recognize the debt Moldova owes Gazprom of $709,000,000 as valid. Moscow has blamed the suspension of gas supply on pro-Western Moldova, and Ukraine.
As demand falls and supply increases, prompt prices will fall.
The European spot electricity prices dropped on Wednesday, as the demand for power in Europe declined while wind and nuclear power increased. LSEG data revealed that French consumption would fall as temperatures rise in a country which relies heavily on electric heating during winter. By 1100 GMT, the French baseload for Thursday had fallen 8.3% to 141.30 Euros ($145.62). In Germany, baseload for Friday was down almost 33% at 154.50 Euros.
EIA: US power consumption will reach new highs by 2025 and 26.
The Short Term Energy Outlook, published by the Energy Information Administration on Tuesday, predicted that U.S. electricity consumption would reach record levels in 2025 and in 2026. EIA projects that the demand for electricity will increase to 4,175 billions kWh by 2025, and 4,252 trillions kWh by 2026. This is a significant increase from the 4,089 billions kilowatt hours (kWh) recorded in 2024.
