Brazil adheres to OPEC+ Cooperation letter; No output caps
The Brazilian energy ministry announced on Tuesday that the country has decided to adhere the OPEC+ declaration of cooperation. This formalizes a decision it first made in 2023. Brazil is the biggest oil producer in South America. According to the country's oil regulator, its output will reach 4.32 million barrels equivalent per day by 2024. The group will include nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia…
Japan adopts new policies on energy, climate and industry through 2040
The Japanese government approved new targets on Tuesday to reduce the country's emissions of greenhouse gases through 2040. It also approved a revised energy policy and updated industrial policies for the same time period. The measures are aimed at enhancing long-term stability of policy for businesses. They focus on decarbonisation and ensuring stable energy supplies, as well as strengthening industrial capacities to drive economic growth.
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.
METI Japan says it is difficult to predict the impact of DeepSeek on electricity demand.
The Japanese industry ministry knows that the expansion of data centers may increase electricity demand, but it's difficult to predict what will happen with the advent of DeepSeek. The government published a draft version of its basic energy policy, which is a major document that is reviewed every three years. It projected an increase in electricity production between 10-20% from 2040, and also cited a higher AI usage.
Handelsblatt reports that Scholz, Germany's Scholz, welcomes the U.S. energy policy turnaround
The German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that German chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed U.S. president Donald Trump's plans to increase oil and gas exports. He said it was good for Europe and Germany. Scholz stated in an interview that the move will help with the transition towards climate neutrality. This phase would last until the middle of this century. The chancellor stated that "more supply on the market will mean lower energy prices".
IEA: Global gas markets will remain tight due to rising demand
LONDON (Jan. 21) - The global natural gas market will remain tight in 2019 as the demand for gas increases and production grows slower than it did before the energy crises of 2022 and 2020-2021. This was revealed by a report released on Tuesday by the International Energy Agency. Political factors have exacerbated the volatility of gas prices, including the uncertainty surrounding the energy policy of U.S.
Prices lower in Europe due to softer demand and higher renewables
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell on Thursday, amid forecasts for higher wind and solar production and a softer demand. However, prices may be affected by changes in energy policy as Donald Trump assumes the U.S. presidency next week. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub dropped by 0.80 euros to 46.20 Euro per Megawatt Hour (MWh) or $13.94 per mmBtu by 0933 GMT.
Sekisui Chem will begin mass production perovskite cells in 2027
Sekisui Chemical, a Japanese company, announced on Thursday its intention to mass produce next-generation Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) by 2027. Scientists consider PSCs to be an alternative low-cost option to silicon cells. They can reduce the space needed for solar panels. Sekisui will, in partnership and with the Development Bank of Japan, establish a new firm in early January that will design…
Mexico's oil production drops to its lowest level of the year in November
Mexico's production levels of liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas fell in November to the lowest recorded all year, and were well below the averages for last year. Official numbers published by regulator showed. The country has missed its 1.8 million barrels per day crude oil and condensate production target twice in November. President Claudia Sheinbaum had promised to keep this goal for the six years of her term.
Japan aims to reach 40-50% of its power needs from renewable sources by 2040
According to a draft version of the revised basic energy policy of Japan, it wants nuclear power to make up 20% of its mix of electricity by 2040, while renewable energy will account for 50%. This is part of a push to promote clean energy and meet rising demand. Japan's basic energy plans, as the second largest importer of natural gas liquefied in the world and a major buyer of Middle Eastern oil are attracting global attention from producers of oil…
Nordic countries debate energy policy after spikes in power prices
On Thursday, the hourly electricity prices in certain parts of Scandinavia reached record levels. They were tenfold higher in some cases than average, due to cold weather and lower wind power production. This prompted politicians to suggest a change in energy policy. In Denmark, the price per megawatt-hour (MWh) for an hour starting at 1600 GMT has risen to 936 Euros. South-western Norway and Southern Sweden have seen prices above 700 Euros/MWh.
Germany pushes 17-billion-euro gas power plan despite election uncertainty
According to sources in the government, Germany's Economy Minister pushed forward on Friday legislation that would provide billions of Euros to build gas-powered plants. However, the chances of this plan being approved by the parliament were slim. Robert Habeck, who was previously the head of the Economy and Energy Ministry, has been given a caretaker position ahead of the snap elections scheduled for February after the collapse of a governing coalition.
Edison CEO: US utilities want Trump and Republicans to save the inflation act
Pedro Pizarro said that the U.S. Utility Industry wants the incoming Trump Administration and the Republican-led Congress in Congress to maintain clean energy and EV Tax Credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. The 2022 IRA is a law that contains hundreds of billions in subsidies for clean power and was signed by outgoing president Joe Biden to combat climate changes. Donald Trump…
Germany mandates open market sales of new wind and solar plants
The German cabinet approved Wednesday plans that will require the majority of operators of new solar and wind power plants to independently sell their electricity on the open markets. This is to improve the integration renewables in the country's system. According to a new energy policy, even small facilities of 25 kilowatts must self-market instead of selling their power to the grid with guaranteed prices.
Who would be the best person to run Trump's energy policy?
Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has pledged to overhaul U.S. Energy Policy. He aims to maximize oil and gas production in this country which is already at record levels by rolling back regulations and accelerating permits. Who will he select to lead the departments and agencies that are critical to completing this task? These are some names that have been considered.
Trump's Victory Lifts Small-Caps, Banks
Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President on Wednesday lifted equity markets, on the back of bets on lower corporate taxes, favorable tariffs, and deregulation. This lifted shares of local small-cap companies, banks, and Trump Media.Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, was appointed to head a government efficiency panel after Trump endorsed the billionaire during his election campaign.
Natural gas producers ask Harris for answers on the battleground state
Drillers from Pennsylvania, an energy-rich state, called on Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris this week to explain her stance on natural gas. The energy industry touts it as a clean fuel but climate activists claim that the fuel is a threat to global warming. In January, President Joe Biden froze new LNG export permits to examine their environmental impact. This…
How Trump will try to undo Biden's environmental legacy
Donald Trump, the presidential hopeful, has outlined an energy policy that focuses on maximizing U.S. power and fuel output. This includes dismantling Biden's main efforts to combat climate change. The Republican campaign for the former president has stated that President Joe Biden's efforts in supporting the adoption of electric cars while reducing the use of gas and coal poses a threat to the country's power grid during a time when energy demand is soaring.
UK energy prices rise 10% due to extreme weather and geopolitics
The British energy regulator Ofgem raised the price cap for household energy bills on Friday by 10%, from October 1, to a level of 2,250.64 pounds per year. This increase was blamed on extreme weather conditions and conflicts like the war in Ukraine. Brearley stated that the increase in price cap will be difficult for many families. The 10% increase for a dual-fuel household on Friday was slightly higher than analysts' expectations.
Report: China's declining coal plant approvals indicate a shift in energy policy
The sharp decline in the number of new coal plants in China indicates that the world's biggest builder polluting power stations is shifting its energy policy to more renewable development. However, coal will continue to play a major part, according a report on Thursday. China approved only 10 new coal-fired plants with a combined capacity of 9 gigawatts in the first six months of 2024, a drop of 83% from the previous year.
