Glencore asks Australian Government to bail out local copper assets
Anglo-Swiss commodities company Glencore has said it has spoken to both Queensland and the Federal Government of Australia regarding the future of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townville Copper Refinery assets. Glencore announced in October 2023 that its Mount Isa underground copper mines would be closed by the second half 2025. They cited studies and reviews which stated it was impossible to extend the mine's life.
Trafigura cancels plans to build a $471 million hydrogen facility in South Australia
Trafigura, the global trading company for commodities, has canceled plans to build a green hydrogen plant worth A$750m ($471.2m) at its Port Pirie Lead Smelter in South Australia. A spokesperson said this on Tuesday. Trafigura, a Swiss company, had commissioned a design study, funded jointly by the South Australian government and Trafigura, in order to reduce the carbon emissions of the plant.
Partners Group buys California energy assets worth $2.2 billion
The companies announced on Tuesday that Swiss private equity firm Partners Group would purchase an energy asset-management platform in California and certain gas-fired electricity plants from U.S. based Avenue Capital Group, for $2.2 billion. The U.S. In 2025 and 2026, the demand for electricity will increase due to data centers devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, homes and businesses will use more electricity to heat and transport.
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by exporting Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release, the Hamburg Regional Court announced that it would proceed with the trial of two of the defendants…
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by helping to export Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release,…
French up and German down on mixed weather signals
On Wednesday, European power prices took different directions. Germany's fell due to higher wind generation while France's rose along with increased demand caused by the colder weather. The German power price for the day ahead fell by 2.8% at 0900 GMT to 122.8 Euros ($134.10) per Megawatt Hour. The French baseload rate for the day ahead was up 6.2% to 116.3 euros/MWh. LSEG data indicated that Germany expected wind output to increase to 5.9 gigawatts on Thursday.
EIP gains majority stake in BayWa Renewable Energy Unit after capital increase
BayWa AG announced on Sunday that Swiss energy investors Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP), would acquire a majority stake of renewable energy unit BayWa. Through a capital raise, BayWa AG would reduce its stake from 51% to 35%. In a press release, BayWa AG said that as part of its capital increase it will give up shareholder loans totaling 350 million euros (366.66 million dollars) to BayWa r.e. The debt and capital financing will be used to cover the BayWa r.e.
Minister: Hungarian gas company will supply Transdniestria
Peter Szijjarto, the Hungarian foreign minister, said that a Hungarian trading company would provide natural gas to Transdniestria in Moldova after a request by Russia's energy ministry. Transdniestria residents, a tiny sliver run by pro Russian separatists on the border of Moldova and Ukraine, faced an energy crisis after the expiration of a transit agreement that allowed Russian natural gas to be shipped via Ukraine.
German wind volume to rise - a warning
The European spot price for Wednesday dropped on Tuesday, as German wind production volumes are expected to double. France is also set for a significant fall in consumption. The LSEG analyst Naser Hahemi wrote that "residual loads are down in Germany due to the increase in wind energy production." This is an indicator which shows how much conventional power plants can supply after variable renewable volumes have been fed into grids.
Breakaway Moldovan Region claims it received gas supplies backed up by Russian loan
Separatist authorities announced on Friday that the pro-Russian Transdniestria region of Moldova, which is a breakaway region, has begun receiving gas under a Moscow loan. Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krsnoselsky stated in a Telegram statement that the Russian loan assistance as well as cooperation with Russia's Ministry of Energy made gas deliveries possible. The Russian gas flow to Transdniestria…
Africa's biggest copper countries are focusing on trade profits
Africa's largest copper producers, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia (Zambia), are working to get exposure to metal trading, as the surge in demand linked to artificial intelligent and the move to greener energy promises big profits. Metals trading is a long-standing domain of international trading companies, like Glencore. Congo and Zambia which represent together more than 13% global…
DeepSeek's "Sputnik moment" prompts investors to dump big AI players
Investors sent technology stocks like Nvidia and Oracle tumbling on Monday as the appearance of a Chinese artificial intelligence model that is low-cost cast doubts on Western firms' dominance in the sector.Startup DeepSeek launched last week a free assistant that it claims uses less data and costs a fraction of what existing models cost. This could be a turning point for the amount of investment required in AI.Futures for the Nasdaq 100 fell almost 4%.
Fortescue Energy CEO: Green hydrogen costs are key to reducing demand
Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson said in Davos that buyers will not pay "green premiums" if the price is competitive. By splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen, using renewable electricity, green hydrogen can be created. The hydrogen can be used to generate electricity or as an ingredient in agricultural fertilisers. Hutchinson, speaking at the Global Markets Forum, said that electrolyzers…
Glencore opens to deals as investors prepare for more mining M&A
Glencore, the commodity and miner trader, said that it was open to M&A deals that created value for its investors. It is leveraging its position in the top three producers of copper globally. Investors in the sector were most concerned about potential M&A transactions in 2024. However, BHP's failed $49 billion bid for Anglo American last May demonstrated the difficulties of merging diversified producers.
Financial Times - Jan 17
These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Owners of France's Natixis Investment Managers, and Italian insurer Generali, are nearing an announcement of an agreement for a joint venture in asset management that will bring together the two biggest European names. France's Bureau Veritas has ended merger talks…
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.
Meyer Burger secures $40 mln in bridge loan after key client's exit
The Swiss solar panel manufacturer Meyer Burger announced on Friday that it had secured nearly 40 million dollars in bridge financing for its business, after its biggest customer, DESRI said it would be pulling out last month. Meyer Burger stated in November that its future was uncertain following the announcement of the DESRI's exit, which followed a number of other setbacks. Meyer Burger expects to draw down an initial tranche worth $19.7 Million from the new bridge loans facility.
More wind and lower demand causes spot prices to fall
European power prices fell on Thursday, as the main German market was expected to have more wind energy and demand in the area had slowed down ahead of the weekend. LSEG data shows that German baseload power for the day ahead was 17.1% lower at 87 Euros ($91.69), while still remaining at multiple-week highs. The French equivalent contract was not traded but the settlement indicated a significant drop from its previous 108 euros.
Axpo, a Swiss company, is looking at opportunities in Japan's power and LNG trading
Axpo, a Swiss power producer and trader, is looking at opportunities in Japan's electricity and liquefied gas (LNG), as the changes in Japan's power sector have created a demand for spot LNG and hedging. Japan has set an ambitious target of renewables accounting for 36%-38% of its total electricity mix by 2030. In 2016, the power market was liberalised, leading to a more liquid futures exchange for electricity. Marco Saalfrank is a member of Axpo’s management board.
EIP, a Swiss asset manager, increases its stake in Eni Plenitude from 10% to 10%
Eni announced that Swiss asset manager Energy Infrastructure Partners will increase its stake in Eni Plenitude to 10%. The deal values the group’s retail and renewable businesses at more than 11 billion euros, including debt. In a Monday statement, the Italian energy group EIP said that it had agreed to subscribing to a new issue of shares worth approximately 209 million euro. This deal is part Eni's "satellite" strategy.
