Major investment in European gas storage, transmission and emergency planning make a repeat of the 2009 gas shock unlikely this winter, market observers say, even if Russia trims exports to retaliate against western sanctions. That should be comforting news to EU Energy Commissioner GĂĽnther Oettinger, who is meeting with energy ministers from Ukraine and Russia (Yuriy Prodan and Alexander Novak) on Friday in Berlin. But analysts do caution that … [Read more...]
In defence of TTIP: Good for the economy – and for the climate
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States may deliver significant benefits not just in terms of greater economic competitiveness, but also as regards energy security and even environmental sustainability, writes Carlo Stagnaro, senior fellow at the Italian think tank Istituto Bruno Leoni and advisor to Italy’s Minister for Economic Development. According … [Read more...]
NGO’s call for reform of Energy Community, Energy Community calls for reform by its members
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...]
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...]
Team Juncker: EU unveils new Energy Commissioner(s)
Slovenia’s ex-Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek and Spanish ex-minister Miguel Arias Cañete have been nominated to lead EU energy policy in a new European Commission due to take office on 1 November. Incoming Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced Bratušek as Vice President for Energy Union and Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy – yes the two portfolios are being merged – on 10 September in Brussels. Cañete is expected … [Read more...]
Why not follow the Swiss Energiewende?
While Germany rushes ahead with its nuclear phase-out and France dithers, Switzerland is following a third way away from nuclear and towards renewables. The Swiss version of the Atomausstieg/Energiewende is slow but steady, with concern for economic as well as environmental consequences. Bern’s policy offers important lessons to Paris, Berlin and others – all the more so because Switzerland is one of the most nuclear-dependent countries in the … [Read more...]
Poles want to be energy independent – with nuclear (and renewables)
Two-thirds of Polish people support the plans to construct a new nuclear power plant in Poland, above all because this would increase Polish energy independence. The Polish public wants their country to be less reliant on Russia and other suppliers and believes renewable energy and nuclear energy are the best options for this. They appear to have less enthusiasm for shale gas and coal. These results appear from a poll conducted by PISM, the … [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...]
US Energy Information Administration: Energy reform could increase Mexico’s long-term oil production by 75%
On August 11, Mexico's president signed into law legislation that will open its oil and natural gas markets to foreign direct investment, effectively ending the 75-year-old monopoly of state-owned PetrĂłleos Mexicanos (Pemex). These laws, which follow previously adopted changes in Mexico's constitution to eliminate provisions that prohibited direct foreign investment in that nation's oil and natural gas sector, are likely to have major … [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...]
France announces $13.4 billion energy plan
Tax credits and low-interest loans will be used to generate about €10 billion ($13.4 billion) for a new energy plan in France. About half the money will be loaned by Caisse des Depots et Consignations, a government-owned lender, and some will also come from non-state banks. French President Francois Hollande wants France to reduce its reliance on atomic power from 75% to 50% by 2025. Such an investment is necessary to help with … [Read more...]
Do we need capacity markets? Do we need Russia?
There are two major issues on which the future of the energy sector hangs, notes EP editor Karel Beckman: 1) Â how far will the renewables revolution go in combination with climate policy; 2) how will growing geopolitical tensions, especially relations with Russia, affect markets? Karel asks whether we need capacity schemes, indicates how utilities could get back on a growth path and how (not) to deal with Russia. … [Read more...]
One year of Energy Post – and a quick guide for our readers
Editor-in-Chief Karel Beckman looks back on one year at Energy Post. He gives some suggestions on the wealth of information readers can find on the website, including the 10 best-read stories of the year. And he takes a look ahead on what more there is to come – after we come back from our summer break. … [Read more...]
Brussels sets dangerous precedent by clearing UK capacity market
The European Commission has given the green light to a proposed UK capacity market that aims to ensure enough electricity is available to cover consumption at peak times. This is the Commission’s first assessment of a capacity market under new EU guidelines on energy and environment state aid that entered force on 1 July. The Commission says the aid is justified because it will contribute to the UK’s security of supply “without distorting … [Read more...]
European Commission spits forth a 30% energy efficiency target
Europe should adopt a 30% energy efficiency target for 2030, the European Commission finally announced on 23 July – without specifying whether that target should be binding or not. That decision it left to European leaders when they meet on 23-24 October. There, they are set to decide on a 2030 climate and energy package for Europe. But certainly for energy efficiency, the path is far from clear and any legislative follow-up is at least three … [Read more...]