viEUws.eu's leading energy journalist Hughes Belin is joined by Fabrizio Barbaso, Deputy Director General ofDG Energy at the European Commission, for an exclusive interview on the refining industry and security of energy supply. For the time being, the flow of Russian gas and oil supplies to Europe has not been disrupted. Barbaso argues that Energy relations between the European Union and Russia are interdependent:Russia is a key energy … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy: All you need to know for June 2014
In this Brussels Briefing on Energy, viEUws.eu's leading energy journalist Hughes Belin provides an overview of the European Union’s most pressing energy issues: - EU Summit on June 26 & 27: Commission’s strategic plan to enhance the European Union’ssecurity of supply in light of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine - Energy Council on June 13: Commission’s report on the internal energy market & the 2030 climate and energy package - New state … [Read more...]
Exxon, BP, Shell, Total see new opportunities in Russia
The world's major oil companies are making it very clear that they are eager to continue to do business with and in Russia, despite US and EU sanctions and criticisms. Indeed, they seem to regard the current tensions with Russia as an opportunity to expand their activities in the world's largest oil and gas territory, notes Nicolas Cunningham of Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
The case for allowing negative electricity prices
Negative electricity prices have become an increasingly frequent occurrence on the power exchanges that allow them. However, there are still many power exchanges, both within and outside of the EU, that do not allow negative prices. Simona Benedettini and Carlo Stagnaro of the Italian think tank Istituto Bruno Leoni argue that, with a booming renewable sector and a weak demand outlook, negative prices are an important tool for the market to … [Read more...]
Let’s glocalize! Global meets local in municipal green bonds
Local authorities are taking an increasingly active role in bringing about a clean energy future. Their biggest worry: how to finance their efforts. One way is outsourcing to energy service companies, another is crowdfunding. But perhaps the most effective method to raise substantial money is by giving out municipal bonds. Clare Taylor takes a look at the blossoming municipal bond market for sustainable energy projects in Europe and the US and … [Read more...]
The Birth of a Eurasian Century
The signing of the long-awaited $400 billion gas contract between Russia and China is a sign of changing times, writes Pepe Escobar. According to the Asia-based reporter, there are many developments going on, virtually unreported by the western media, that are chipping away at the dominance of the United States in the world. A Russian-Chinese alliance is forming, which will reach out into Europe through energy and trade relations – and  perhaps … [Read more...]
Policy failures have turned Belgium into high-price electricity island in Europe
Wholesale power prices in Belgium are now considerably higher than in its big neighbour Germany. In addition, Belgium is the only country in North West Europe to be faced with an electricity supply shortage. This situation is caused by a long series of policy failures on the part of the Belgian government, which has failed to create stable investment conditions, a competitive market and adequate interconnections, argues Benedict de Meulemeester, … [Read more...]
IEA review of Dutch energy policy: the real work still lies ahead
The Dutch energy sector is proud of the broad National Energy Agreement which was signed on to last year by representatives of the energy industry, consumer and trade associations and NGO’s, and which is now being implemented. But concluding an agreement is one thing, implementing it is another, notes the International Energy Agency (IEA) in an instructive review of Dutch energy policy. The Netherlands still relies heavily on fossil fuels and is … [Read more...]
Clean energy investment picks up in first quarter after stagnation last year
Clean Energy Pipeline,  “the online financial news and data service dedicated to the clean energy sector”, reports that “new investment in the global clean energy sector totalled $61.0 billion in 1Q14, representing a 14% increase on the $53.4 billion invested in the corresponding period in 2013." “New clean energy investment was encouraging in 1Q14, marking a welcome change from recent press releases where we have been reporting year-on-year … [Read more...]
The gas market goes global – and Europe doesn’t see what is coming
Global gas trade is expected to explode – and most of the new supplies will go to Asia. Europe will lose control of markets and pricing and will need to compete at higher Asian prices. That’s the main message energy reporter Rudolf ten Hoedt took away from the Gastech LNG conference in Korea in March where he spoke with leading LNG traders, including market leaders Shell, Qatargas and Tokyo Gas. “Europe doesn’t realise what is coming”, they told … [Read more...]
European power markets coupled from Finland to France
In a "landmark move for the future of Europe’s power markets", the four Power Exchanges and 13 Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in the North-Western Europe (NWE) day-ahead price coupling project have today successfully launched NWE Price Coupling. For the first time, the NWE region, stretching from France to Finland, operates under a common day-ahead power price calculation using the Price Coupling of Regions (PCR) solution. The same solution … [Read more...]
M&A activity in renewables keeps growing
M&A activity in the global power and renewables sectors is expected to pick up this year, after the value of deals fell by 10 percent in 2013, according to a new research report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Total worldwide power and renewables 2013 deal value was down 10% year on year, reported PWC. But the Asia Pacific region and the renewables sector bucked the trend. Renewables deal value rose 25% the value of Asia Pacific deals was up … [Read more...]
How the Iraqi oil surge will change the global energy landscape
Iraq is returning to an energy market which is radically different than the one it was forced to leave years ago, and its OPEC partners now also have a different view on Iraq’s participation. A new paper by Sammy Six and Lucia van Geuns of the Clingendael International Energy Programme (CIEP) assesses how current market developments impact the strategic position of Iraq - and vice versa: how Iraq is likely to impact the global oil market. The … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “If Europe had one voice, energy prices could be reduced”, claims IEA’s Fatih Birol
Hughes Belin, leading energy journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Fatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency, to discuss the World Energy Outlook 2013. In this interview, Birol looks at global energy prices and analyses the big price difference between the US and Europe. “Energy markets are going through very dynamic times. Today gas prices in Europe are 3 times higher than those in the US and electricity in Europe istwice … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Top 5 EU Energy Priorities – All you need to know for 2014
Hughes Belin, leading energy journalist at viEUws.eu, takes a pick at the top 5 energy issues that will be discussed by the EU institutions under the Greek Presidency during the first half of 2014.  The main issue on the agenda will be the 2030 energy and climate framework, the package will be published on the 22nd of January. A debate on energy state aid will take place under the lead of competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia during … [Read more...]
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