RWE buys back $1.6 billion in shares as the outlook for US offshore wind and hydrogen worsens
RWE, Germany’s largest utility, announced on Tuesday that it would purchase up to 1,5 billion euros ($1.6billion) in shares. The company cited weakening prospects in Europe for hydrogen and offshore wind, in response to Donald Trump’s election win. RWE has also bowed to investor pressure by launching a buyback that will begin in the fourth quarter of this year and last for 18 months. This is due to the fact that clean energy projects are not generating the returns they should.
IMF and World Bank leaders promise to work with Trump at UN climate summit
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund chiefs said on Tuesday that they would continue to work with Donald Trump's incoming administration in the United States to provide funding to countries affected by climate change. Kristalina Georgeieva, IMF's chief, told a panel at the U.N. COP29 Climate Summit in Azerbaijan the global lender worked with Trump under his previous administration and was looking forward to working with him again. Georgieva expressed her confidence that the U.S.
German rapeseed plantings for 2025 crop are little changed
The German oilseeds association UFOP estimates that the planted area of winter rapeseed in Germany for the 2025 crop will be similar to the 2024 crop, reducing by 40,000 hectares from the 2024 harvest to between 1,05 million and 1,09 million hectares. This is the first accurate estimate of the plantings of rapeseed in Germany for the next harvest. It said that despite the autumn rains, Germany's rapeseed is in "good to excellent" condition. This puts rapeseed at a good state for winter.
German power prices are falling while France's are rising
On Tuesday, the European wholesale power markets moved in different directions. Germany's spot fell from its near two-year peak due to calm and overcast conditions that reduced its wind and solar production. The French power price for the day ahead rose by 30.4%, to 131 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh), at 0920 GMT. This was due to an increase in demand after Monday's Armistice holiday. The German equivalent remained lower, reflecting Germany's current import dependence.
Vulcan Energy, a company listed in Australia, receives $106 million funding from the German Ministry
Vulcan Energy Resources, an Australian company, announced on Tuesday that it received funding of 100 million euros (106.42 millions dollars) from the German Economy Ministry for its renewable energy facility in Landau in Germany. The Vulcan HEAT4LANDAU Project is a project to generate renewable geothermal heating to support Landau’s transition to sustainable district heating starting in 2026. The project is a part of Vulcan’s Phase One Lionheart Project.
Vattenfall invests 5 billion euros in Germany’s clean energy market
Vattenfall, a Swedish energy company, wants to invest in Germany five billion euros ($5.34billion) in climate-friendly products over the next few years. Robert Zurawski, German Finance Chief, said that the company plans to use the money to build wind and solar farms in the country as well as charging stations by 2028. He said that Germany is the fastest growing market in Europe for renewable energy.
Enphase Energy will lay off up to 17% of its workforce and take charges up to $20 million
Enphase Energy announced on Friday that it will reduce its global workforce of about 17%. This will affect about 500 employees and subcontractors. The solar inverter manufacturer is reducing operations due to a slowdown in residential solar demand. The company will concentrate contract manufacturing at four locations: two in the US and one each in India and China. It added that the company would cease its contract manufacturing in Guadalajara.
Gas and Carbon Forward Contracts are on the Rise
The European power contracts for the year ahead were released on Friday. They reflect higher carbon permits as well as gas contracts. LSEG data show that the German 2025 baseload price rose by 1.7%, to 91.14 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh), at 1111 GMT. It had previously reached a high of 91.25 euro/MWh for two weeks. The equivalent French position increased 3.2% to 77.15 Euro/MWh. The European CO2 allowances expiring in December 2024 were up by 1.1% to 66.79 Euros per metric tonne.
Germany's chemical lobby calls for regulatory reform and growth agenda
VCI, the industry lobby group in Germany, said that to achieve climate neutrality while remaining competitive and improving its performance it is necessary for regulation changes. VCI, which published two of its own studies, said that the crises in the last few years had left a mark on the balance sheet of chemical and pharmaceutical firms. Boston Consulting Group, in a study on the mood of the industry…
German spot prices fall on the back of a wind forecast, while French prices increase on demand
On Thursday, the European spot electricity prices were mixed. Germany's fell on expectations of increased wind power generation, while French prices rose due to projected higher consumption. The LSEG report also identified the increased solar power and brown coal generation as factors affecting market. German baseload power fell 35.4% to 114.8 euros (123.50 dollars) per megawatt-hour (MWh) by 1035 GMT. This is down from the five-month-highs reached this week.
Faced with a tariff threat, Europe looks for ways to appease Trump
The European Union considers options to appease Donald Trump upon his return to the White House. It is bracing for a resumption in U.S. trade threats and tariffs, as well as a tough exchange on how to deal with China. Trump warned the 27-nation group shortly before he won the U.S. presidency that they would "pay a high price" if they did not buy enough American exports. EU officials claim that…
European clean energy stocks fall as Trump wins the presidency
After Donald Trump's election as president of the United States on Wednesday, shares in European clean-energy groups plunged. Investors were worried about a possible dismantling by the United States of its support for renewables. Trump pledged to cancel offshore wind projects via an executive order his first day of office, and roll back climate regulations that were implemented by President Joe Biden.
Spots fall as wind and nuclear power rise
European prompt electricity prices fell on Tuesday, as the wind power supply is expected to increase from levels which caused a rise in previous trading sessions. "Residual loads are lower, but remain at high levels." In a research report, LSEG analyst Marcus Eriksson said that he expects lower price spikes. He was referring to the volume of supply needed to meet non-renewable source demand. LSEG…
The future EU energy chief says he will speed up the end of Russian gas imports
Dan Jorgensen wants to end the EU's dependency on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible, he said at a Tuesday parliamentary hearing. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has given Jorgensen the task to lower energy prices in order to restore Europe's competitiveness as an industrial powerhouse. She also wants to decarbonise Europe's economy and stop the remaining Russian energy imports.
Orsted Addresses Swedish Baltic Sea Wind Concerns
Orsted CEO assures Sweden that the offshore wind industry has solutions that would address defense concerns. At issue: Sweden's rejection of a proposed 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea.Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday that building wind farms in the Baltic Sea would pose defense risks, by making it harder to detect and shoot down missiles. As Europe turns to renewable sources to diversify energy supplies away from Russian oil and gas…
German Spot Jumps on Flagging Renewable Supply
On Tuesday, the German spot electricity price for Wednesday increased as wind and solar supplies were expected to decline while demand was expected to increase. LSEG data show that German baseload power for the day ahead was up 58.9% at 236 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) by 0948 GMT. This is its highest level since June 25. The French equivalent contract was flat, at 119 Euros/MWh. According to LSEG analyst Naser Hahemi…
Major Salzgitter shareholder mulls takeover bid
Salzgitter announced on Monday that its second-largest shareholder GP Gunter Papenburg is considering a possible takeover of the German Steelmaker with a partner. The offer is only valid if TSR Recycling and the two-party consortium reach a minimum of 45% of Salzgitter plus one share. Salzgitter has not disclosed the price of its offer. The news caused the shares of the Frankfurt-listed company to rise by nearly 26% as early as 1854 GMT. GP Gunter Papenburg holds 25,1% of Salzgitter.
Spot prices rise due to low renewables production and increasing demand
European spot electricity prices rose to multi-month highs Monday. Renewables are expected to continue to be low, while demand is projected to increase. By 0901 GMT, the German baseload contract for Tuesday had reached its highest level since June 25, at 145 Euros ($157.99 per megawatt-hour (MWh). On Friday, during the All Saints Holiday, no equivalent price was traded. LSEG data shows that the equivalent French contract is now at 117.50 Euro/MWh…
Demand for Spots drops as public holidays approach
The European power price fell on Thursday ahead of All Saints Day in some parts of the region, which falls on November 1. This added to the expectation of a weaker demand for the weekend. Data from LSEG's utility EDF and LSEG showed that the supply of solar and wind electricity is expected to grow, while nuclear power availability will remain flat. French baseload electricity for Friday delivery fell by 30.2%, to 63.5 Euros ($68.95/MWh) by 8:20 GMT.
Signals of bearishness are triggered when price trends diverge.
On Wednesday, the direction of spot electricity prices in Germany and France diverged. However, the dominant trends of increasing renewable output and declining demand created a bearish wholesale environment. In Germany, the demand for electricity is down by 1.7 Gigawatt Hours per Hour (GWh/h), but wind and solar power generation are both up by 7.3 GWh/h & 0.9 GWh/h respectively. This results in a reduction of almost 10 GWh/h in residual load…
