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Venture Global LNG has said the Louisiana plant is not fully operational due to faulty power equipment that is being repaired. Their appeals sought to get The Hague and Washington to pressure Venture Global LNG on the contracts. In its letter, Shell accused Venture Global LNG of diverting resources into building a second LNG export plant rather than completing repairs to its first plant. Officials from the EU and U.S. indicated they view the dispute as "a contractual matter between commercial parties," a Venture Global LNG spokesperson said on Saturday. Venture Global LNG is operating the Calcasieu Pass plant at capacity, it has told U.S. regulators.
Persons: Chris Helgren, Carol Howe, Michael Sabel, Robert Pender, Gary McWilliams, Diane Craft Organizations: BP, REUTERS, Rights, Edison, Shell, Venture Global LNG, U.S, EU, Force, Energy Security, Venture Global, Global, Reuters, Venture Global Co, Energy Regulatory, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, U.S, EU, Arlington , Virginia, Louisiana, Hague, Washington, Calcasieu, Europe
LUXEMBOURG, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A stand-off between France and Germany over the future competitiveness of their industries will be the central point of discussion when EU energy ministers meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday, EU diplomats said. The new rules seek to protect consumers from volatile fossil fuel markets with a shift to more long-term, fixed-price contracts. Berlin fears that France, with its vast nuclear fleet, will be able to offer such contracts to its existing nuclear energy fleet - then use excess revenues generated by these contracts on subsidising industries. Central and eastern European countries that have nuclear expansion ambitions of their own are backing France. Spain, which holds the EU presidency until the year-end, has tried to find a compromise and at one point suggested axing article 19b entirely.
Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Julia Payne, Kate Abnett, Christina Fincher Organizations: European Commission, Thomson Locations: LUXEMBOURG, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Europe, Berlin, Central, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Spain
Strained France-Germany ties slow EU decision making
  + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +6 min
From joint defence programmes to nuclear energy or relations with China, Paris and Berlin are at odds over a growing number of issues. In an August speech Macron made his frustration public, calling Germany's position on nuclear energy "a historic mistake". Germany decided to phase out nuclear energy after Japan's Fukushima disaster in 2011, closing its last reactors in April. It is unclear if France and Germany can hash out a deal in Hamburg ahead of a crucial EU energy meeting on Oct. 17, but analysts are doubtful. Although the concept was criticised for having failed with Russia, German officials believe trade ties with a country like China could prevent conflict.
Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Sarah Meyssonnier, Macron, Detlef Seif, Marc, Antoine Eyl, Wolfgang Munchau, hasn't, Wandel, Handel, Noah Barkin, Sarah Marsh, Kate Abnett, Michel Rose, Rachel Armstrong, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Weimar, REUTERS, German Christian Democratic Union, BASF, Reuters, EDF, Franco, GMF, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Hamburg, Berlin, China, German, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, EU, Franco, Italian, Russia, Brussels, Beijing
[1/2] Electrical power pylons with high-voltage power lines are seen next to wind turbines near Weselitz, Germany November 18, 2022. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Europe could wean itself off fossil fuels and create a self-sustainable energy sector by spending around 2 trillion euros ($2.1 trillion) on solar, wind and other regenerative sources by 2040, according to a new study. The law raises the EU's renewable energy targets, requiring 42.5% of EU energy to be renewable by 2030, replacing a previous 32% target. It said renewable energy supply would need to grow by 20% per year to meet expected power demand by 2030. ($1 = 0.9531 euros)Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Editing by Rachel More and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Lisi Niesner, Christoph Steitz, Rachel More, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact, Reuters, Aquila Capital, Thomson Locations: Weselitz, Germany, Europe, Russian, Ukraine
PARIS, Oct 4 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said last week his government would "take back control" of electricity prices by the end of the year, without spelling out what steps he would take. "There is a point that is key for our competitiveness, and we will announce it in October, and that is to take back control of electricity prices," Macron said. "We'll be able to announce in October electricity prices that are in line with our competitiveness," he said, adding this would apply to households and businesses. However, French officials say Germany is undermining a traditional French strength due to fears cheap nuclear electricity could provide French businesses with a competitive advantage over German companies. Under the current system, called marginal pricing, European electricity prices are linked to the most expensive power producing asset.
Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, We'll, Bruno Le Maire, Michel Rose, Elizabeth Pineau, Benjamin Mallet, Leigh Thomas, Forrest Crellin, Kate Abnett, Julia Payne, Mark Potter Organizations: Union, EDF, EU, European Commission, French Finance, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Paris, France, Brussels, Germany, Russia, Europe, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain
Pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which are not used, are seen in the harbour of Mukran, Germany, on September 30, 2022. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline had accounted for 15% of Europe's gas imports in 2021, according to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. A second Nord Stream 2 link was planned but never operated. "Our biggest risk was that Russia can manipulate our energy markets," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told Reuters. Across the EU, gas storage caverns are now 95% full, Gas Infrastructure Europe data show.
Persons: Pipes, Fabian Bimmer, Kadri Simson, SEB, Ole Hvalbye, Tom Marzec, Wood Mackenzie, Gergely Molnar, Jacob Mandel, Kate Abnett, Julia Payne, Nora Buli, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Reuters Graphics, EU Energy, Reuters, EU, SEB Commodities, Gas Infrastructure, International Energy Agency, Aurora Energy Research, Thomson Locations: Baltic, Mukran, Germany, Russia, BRUSSELS, OSLO, Europe, Ukraine, RUSSIA, Norway, United States, Russian, Greece, Poland, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, France, Reuters Graphics Germany, Belgium, Britain, Portugal, Spain, Paris, Brussels, Oslo
[1/2] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. We will focus on skills, access to finance and stable supply chains," von der Leyen said in a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday. But Europe's offshore wind power industry has warned governments it is not big enough to deliver green power goals and requires a jump in policy support to get on track - particularly if new wind farms are to be manufactured in Europe. "The future of our clean tech industry has to be made in Europe," von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen vowed to "stay the course" on Europe's green agenda, promising talks with industries - including agriculture - concerned about their role in the green transition.
Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, von der Leyen, Eurelectric, von der, Von der Leyen, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Louise Heavens Organizations: European, European Union, REUTERS, Renewables, Energy, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Europe, BRUSSELS, EU
The law significantly raises the EU's renewable energy targets, requiring 42.5% of EU energy to be renewable by 2030, replacing a current 32% target for that date. It faced a tough passage through negotiations among EU countries' governments, and only secured support after France won carve-outs for nuclear energy - which is low-carbon, but not renewable. EU countries and lawmakers had negotiated a deal on the renewable energy law in March which was supposed to be final, but was held up by countries seeking greater recognition of nuclear power. A Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday it was aware of the difficulties and was in touch with renewable energy manufacturers to discuss possible solutions. Europe got 22% of its energy from renewable sources in 2021, the latest year for which official EU data are available.
Persons: Pascal Rossignol, Markus Pieper, Pieper, Kate Abnett, Ed Osmond, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Union, France, European, EU, Thomson Locations: Bevillers, France, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, Brussels, China, Europe
EU has to come clean on costs of green transition
  + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Pierre Briancon | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +8 min
European Union governments have agreed on the strategy, but they tend to paper over the short-term economic costs of the green transition. French economist Jean Pisani-Ferry has compared the impact of the green transition to an economic shock equivalent to the sharp spikes in oil prices in the 1970s. But unlike previous shocks triggered by geopolitical instability or trade wars, the green transition has been initiated and managed by governments, and largely financed by them. Germany looks like the country most able to afford the green transition, but its over-emphasis on regulation on environmental matters is running into fierce opposition. On Sunday Paolo Gentiloni, the EU economy commissioner, told the Financial Times that Europe will have to fund its own industrial green transition.
Persons: Jean Pisani, won’t, Pisani, Selma Mahfouz, Paolo Gentiloni, Bruno Le Maire, Christian Lindner, Keir Starmer, , Francesco Guerrera, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Union, Reuters Graphics Reuters, International Energy Agency, Ferry, Social Democrats, Greens, Opposition, Financial Times, French Finance, German, Labour Party, Twitter, Southern, European Commission, Deal, Zero, Thomson Locations: Europe, France, Italy, Germany, EU, Paris, Southern Europe, Spain, Greece
Green pipes in the Neighbourhood Energy Utility energy center divert sewage to heat pumps. Data centers can heat homes tooAcross the ocean, Stockholm is tapping into a major heat source: data centers. They found that in about 25% of those places there was enough heat underground to recycle for energy. Benz says it's worth considering adding those underground pipes as part of new construction, especially building new streets, which absorb extra heat. Of course, underground heat builds up the most in summer, when people don't need to heat their homes.
Persons: Derek Pope, Pope, Johanna Nerell, Nerell, Yui Mok, Susanne Benz, Benz Organizations: Green Tech, Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, City of, Winter, City Council, Stockholm, Nature Communications, Reuters Locations: Europe, Canada, Glasgow, London, Vancouver, City, City of Vancouver, Vancouver , British Columbia, Stockholm, Mongolia, Islington
EU energy ministers meeting in Luxembourg ended talks without a joint stance on the reforms that seek to avoid a repeat of last year's energy crisis, when record-high gas prices left consumers with soaring energy bills. EU countries' ambassadors will take up the negotiations, aiming for a deal this month. Asked about the coal proposal, Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch said ensuring Poland, which borders Ukraine, had stable power generation could help it support Ukraine with back-up power. Poland, which gets around 70% of its power from coal, could prolong its support scheme for coal plants, potentially until 2028, under the proposal. EU countries must negotiate the final power market upgrade with the EU Parliament, with the aim to pass the law before EU parliamentary elections next year.
Persons: Ebba Busch, Anna Moskwa, Robert Habeck, Kate Abnett, Tassilo Hummel, Sudip Kar, Giles Elgood, Emelia, Barbara Lewis, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Union, Swedish Energy, Reuters, European Commission, Climate, EU, Thomson Locations: Poland, Belgium, Germany, LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Austria, Greece, Spain
Supply chain scrutiny may upend EU solar ambitions
  + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +5 min
Western nations are rushing to install more solar panels to reduce their dependency on polluting fossil fuels like gas and oil. Yet a rising legislative tide aimed at ensuring companies’ supply chains are free from forced labour and other abuses presents a mounting challenge for Western utilities. Bernreuter estimates that non-Chinese solar-grade polysilicon is enough to produce 40 gigawatts of solar panels per year. Banned materials include polysilicon, an ultra-pure form of silicon, that is the key raw material used to make solar panels. The European Commission published in February 2022 a draft proposal aimed at forcing companies to better police their global supply chains.
But at the same time, EU countries have increased their overall purchases of Russian LNG, undermining the bloc's pledge to end its use of Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Russian LNG exports by region Russian LNG exports by regionEU analysis found Russian LNG imports increased to 22 billion cubic metres (bcm) last year, up from 16 bcm in 2021. Belgium and Spain nearly doubled their imports of Russian LNG in the 12 months since Russia invaded Ukraine, analysis by Kpler showed. The Netherlands has eliminated its Russian pipeline gas imports since the war and reduced, but not eliminated, Russian LNG imports. TO BAN OR NOT TO BANHalting Russian LNG imports would be double-edged, analysts say.
FILE PHOTO: European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson attends a European Union energy ministers meeting on high energy prices, in Brussels, Belgium November 24, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna GeronCERNOBBIO, Italy (Reuters) - Proposals to stop Russian companies from sending liquefied natural gas to European Union nations were welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on Saturday. “This is not a law yet...but this is now a very concrete step,” Simson told Reuters at a business event in northern Italy. EU countries agreed on Tuesday to seek a legal option to stop Russian companies sending liquefied natural gas to EU nations, by preventing Russian firms from booking infrastructure capacity. Simson also talked up a deal struck by the EU last month to cut final energy consumption across the bloc by 11.7% by 2030 as the bloc fights climate change and tries to wean itself off Russian energy supplies.
WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will push back on Russia's attempts to "weaponize energy" and rally support for a Ukrainian counteroffensive when he meets NATO foreign ministers in Brussels next week, an official said on Thursday. A meeting of the U.S.-EU Energy Council will focus on joint efforts to "blunt Russia's attempts to weaponize energy ... (and) bolstering energy supplies for the coming winters," Dereck Hogan, the State Department's principal deputy assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters. NATO has sent large amounts of weapons and other aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded, which has also spurred moves to expand the alliance. The top U.S. diplomat will meet with European Union High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba in Belgium on Tuesday and Wednesday, the State Department said. Reporting by Simon Lewis, Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
EU countries approve 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars
  + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +3 min
The approval from EU countries' energy ministers means Europe's main climate policy for cars can now enter into force - after weeks of delay caused by last-minute opposition from Germany. The EU law will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels. The EU policy had been expected to make it impossible to sell combustion engine cars in the EU from 2035. "The direction of travel is clear: in 2035, new cars and vans must have zero emissions," EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said. Germany's late intervention, after EU countries and lawmakers had already agreed the 2035 phaseout last year, irked some EU diplomats, and stoked concerns that governments may try to block other carefully-negotiated deals on climate policies.
Most countries are likely to back the law on Tuesday, EU officials said, which would allow it to enter into force. The EU law will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels. The policy had been expected to make it impossible to sell combustion engine cars in the EU from 2035. Transport accounts for nearly a quarter of EU emissions. Other carmakers including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Ford are betting on battery-electric vehicles to decarbonise, and had urged EU countries not to row back the 2035 phase-out.
EU reaches deal on service stations for EVs, alternative fuels
  + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
BRUSSELS, March 28 (Reuters) - The European Union on Tuesday reached a provisional deal on the deployment of more service stations for cars running on electricity and alternative fuels as the bloc seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of its transport sector. "The agreement will send a clear signal to citizens and other stakeholders that user-friendly recharging infrastructure and refuelling stations for alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, will be installed throughout the EU," Andreas Carlson, the Swedish minister for infrastructure and housing, said in a EU statement. He added it was the bloc's aim to make more recharging capacity available on the streets in urban areas as well along the motorways. EU energy ministers are set to give final approval later on Tuesday to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035, after Germany won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels. Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Tassilo HummelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
BERLIN, March 24 (Reuters) - Germany's transport minister on Friday said he was optimistic a dispute between Berlin and Brussels over the future of combustion engine cars running on e-fuels was close to resolution, though some questions still needed clarifying. The original law would effectively ban registration of combustion engine cars after 2035, but Germany seeks an exemption for cars that run exclusively on climate-neutral e-fuel and legal assurances from the Commission. In a letter to the Commission seen by Reuters on Friday, Germany's transport ministry welcomed the EU executive's proposals but asked for legislation to ensure its implementation. Berlin's demand for an exemption had "now been answered by the EU Commission with a letter that makes me optimistic," German Transport Minister Volker Wissing told a news conference on Friday. The European Commission declined to comment on the latest proposals.
The Golar Tundra project is a key part of Italy's plan to reduce its reliance on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine. Europe must carefully balance its gas and LNG systems, and avoid tipping the scale from reliability to redundancy. "This is the world's most expensive and unnecessary insurance policy," said Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, energy analyst for IEEFA Europe and author of the analysis. "Europe must carefully balance its gas and LNG systems, and avoid tipping the scale from reliability to redundancy. Boosting Europe's LNG infrastructure will not necessarily increase reliability — there's a tangible risk that assets could become stranded," Jaller-Makarewicz said.
The European Commission on Monday proposed that EU countries extend for a year an emergency measure to curb gas demand for the next 12 months, to help prepare Europe to get through next winter with scarce Russian gas. The Commission said countries should extend, from April until March 2024, a voluntary target to curb their gas demand by 15% versus their 2017-2022 average consumption. EU countries slashed their combined gas use by 19% from August to January 2023 helped by an unusually warm winter. Risks remain, including cold weather or increased Chinese gas demand which could reduce supply available for European buyers. The Commission said continued gas demand curbs are needed if countries are to fill their gas storage to 90% of capacity by November - a binding target EU countries agreed last year to help avert winter shortages.
The debate - which focuses on hydrogen produced from nuclear or renewable energy - has already delayed negotiations on new EU renewable energy targets and threatened a multi-billion-euro hydrogen pipeline. Some EU officials fear it could spill into other green energy policies, potentially delaying laws needed to meet EU climate targets. "There are outstanding obstacles, but they will be resolved," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said of the climate conclusions on Monday, without specifying what the obstacles were. A draft of the conclusions, seen by Reuters, said: "EU energy diplomacy will promote the increasing uptake and system integration of renewable energy, hydrogen and its derivatives." They says they acknowledge nuclear's low-carbon contribution, but that it should not be put on a level footing with renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
REUTERS/Christian CharisiusBRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - European Union proposals to overhaul its electricity market will attempt to better protect consumer energy bills from short-term swings in fossil fuel prices, the European Commission said on Monday. "We need to make the electricity market design fit for the future, allowing it to deliver the benefits of affordable clean energy to everyone," EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said. The EU proposal will aim to expand Europe's use of long-term contracts that provide power plants with a fixed price for their electricity - "contracts for difference" (CfD) and power purchase agreements (PPA), the Commission said. Expanding these types of contracts would create a buffer between energy consumers and volatile prices in short-term energy markets, yielding more stable energy bills for households and companies, it said. EU countries and lawmakers will negotiate the final power market reforms.
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Investors poured money into equity and bond funds and moved money out of gold in the week to Wednesday, according to BofA Global Research, taking heart from a string of positive data points and policy changes. Bofa also pointed to the impact of China reopening its borders after COVID-19 restrictions, lower EU energy prices and encouraging U.S. fiscal and labour market data, as all factors behind the moves. The report found there were weekly flows into funds investing in bonds ($17.5bn), cash ($8.3bn), and stocks ($7.2bn), and out of gold ($0.4bn). BofA also said there were the largest inflow to investment grade bonds since July 21 ($10.4bn), and the largest inflow to emerging market debt and emerging market stocks since April 22 ($3.6bn). "Flows show the chase is on," said BofaReporting by Alun John, editing by Lucy Raitano and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
EU energy ministers are wrangling over a proposed price cap on gas. LONDON — European natural gas prices fell this week to levels not seen since before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At their peak in August, European gas prices topped 345 euros/MWh as Russia's weaponization of its natural gas exports to the rest of the continent in response to punitive EU sanctions, and sky-high temperatures over the summer, drove up demand while constricting supply. The spiking prices sent household energy bills soaring and have fueled a cost-of-living crisis across much of the continent. Goldman Sachs in November predicted a sharp fall in European gas prices in the coming months as nations gained a temporary upper hand on supply issues.
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