A group of leading NGOs active in the Balkan region are calling for urgent reform of the Energy Community Treaty, as its Ministerial Council prepares to meet in Kiev on September 23rd . The groups are calling for both the expansion of the environmental and climate component of the Treaty and measures to ensure that existing obligations are better enforced. “Energy Community Treaty reform is a once in a decade opportunity to garner support for … [Read more...]
The new face of nuclear energy
The United Arab Emirates will be the first of the Gulf Co-operation Council nations to develop nuclear power – and only the second in the Middle East after Iran. In this exclusive interview, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Mohamed Al Hammadi, explains why the UAE has chosen to develop nuclear energy, why he is confident the new reactors will come on stream on time and within budget, and why the nation sees itself as a … [Read more...]
A modest proposal on South Stream – for the EU’s new VP Energy Union
Ambassador Peter Poptchev offers an ingenious compromise on the stalled South Stream project: let Russia build half of it, to be filled with only new gas. The European Commission's new Vice-President for Energy Union could make this work - if she has a convincing strategy for South East Europe. (Plus: an overview of all stakeholder positions on South Stream.) … [Read more...]
China changes course: wind surges, coal stalls
The Chinese wind energy sector is growing at tremendously. China is expected to exceed its 2015 target of 100GW wind capacity by 30%, reports Tim Buckley, Director Energy Finance Studies Australasia at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) for Reneweconomy. At the same time, China is rapidly diversifying away from coal, towards more nuclear, renewables and hydropower. The implications for global energy markets are … [Read more...]
The EU’s drive for free energy trade in the TTIP endangers action on climate change
With the EU seeking to diversify its energy sources and US companies eager to export their "unconventional” oil and gas riches, energy has become a major focus of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), about which the two blocs are negotiating. The EU is eager for the US to remove any barriers to the export of its natural gas and crude oil, as is clear from a leaked EU proposal. However, this drive for unrestrained fossil … [Read more...]
UK Power Reserve adds three more plants to portfolio
UK Power Reserve (UKPR) announces the acquisition of a 30MW portfolio of gas-fired power stations from Scottish Power (SP). The acquisition brings the company's portfolio to 13 plants situated across England and Wales. The three SP power stations are Watson Street, Greengate and Cowley Hill and are located in Merseyside. Each site comprises three embedded packages totaling 10MW of generating capacity. UKPR will manage the operation and … [Read more...]
Why Ukraine’s dependence on Russia in nuclear is worse than in gas – and what to do about it
While discussions around Ukrainian energy dependence on Russia usually focus on gas, the Ukrainian nuclear sector is even more dominated by Russia. And more strategic: it supplies half of the country’s electricity. And whereas Ukraine wants to use less gas, the government intends to expand the country’s nuclear power production significantly. The good news for Ukraine is that it has plenty of its own uranium. With Western support the country … [Read more...]
Moscow’s great new gas game: Russia will become a bigger player – but in a bigger market
Russia has embarked on a strategy to become a major player in the global LNG business, with as many as five or six big new projects expected to come online by the end of the decade. This new LNG production capacity is part of Russia's broader strategy that involves reducing its reliance on European markets and becoming one of the top gas suppliers to the Asia-Pacific region. Paradoxically, these efforts, if they succeed, are likely to reduce … [Read more...]
Carbon Tracker blasts Shell’s take on Carbon Bubble
In a new report out today, Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI), the NGO that invented the concept of “stranded assets”, blasts Shell’s “climate letter” of 16 May, in which Shell argues that “we do not believe that any of our proven reserves will become stranded”. According to CTI, Shell’s focus on proven reserves is “too narrow” and “understates the risk that its business faces from changes in climate policy”. EP editor Karel Beckman takes stock of … [Read more...]
Why Brussels is reluctant to adopt an energy efficiency target that’s good for the EU economy
Within weeks, the European Commission will propose an energy efficiency target for Europe for 2030 that is substantially lower than what many stakeholders and policymakers believe is feasible. It will even be lower than what the Commission’s own impact assessment concludes is beneficial for the economy. And it will probably be non-binding although the impact assessment says a binding target would be more effective. Why this reluctance from … [Read more...]
How the EU should deal with the Ukraine gas crisis
The Russian decision, on 16 June, to halt gas supplies to Ukraine spells trouble for the coming winter. Even if the current crisis is resolved, uncertainties over Ukraine will remain. Therefore, the EU needs to prepare for another gas crisis, both in the short term, by establishing crisis mechanisms, and in the medium term, to prevent future crises. Agata Łoskot-Strachota of the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Poland sets out the urgent steps … [Read more...]
Shale gas: what it could really mean for Europe
The Ukrainian crisis has revitalized discussions in Europe about the role shale gas could play in the European energy mix and to enhance security of supply. Opinions on this are very polarized. Whereas optimists declare that Europe could start commercial production in 2020, the pessimists insist that shale gas will never be profitable in Europe. According to Alexander Gusev, the real picture is not black-and-white. Cutting through the confusion … [Read more...]
Reforms needed for Energy Community
The Energy Community High Level Reflection Group has issued a report on how the work of the Energy Community - an international organisation comprising the European Union and eight neighbouring countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine) – may be improved. The Report contains proposed solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the Energy Community, … [Read more...]
Ten take-home messages from the new European Energy Security Strategy
On 28 May the European Commission published a new energy security strategy for the EU that sets out a long list of short-, medium- and long-term actions to reduce dependence on Russian gas. These range from regional “stress tests” for supply disruptions to new priority gas infrastructure projects to serious examination of centralised gas purchases. For many however, it is energy efficiency that will make or break this strategy. Sonja van Renssen … [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...]