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REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLITTLETON, Colorado, Dec 5 (Reuters) - U.S. electricity generation from wind power is on course to surpass coal-fired electricity generation, potentially by 2026, as wind supply growth expands at a record pace just as coal-fired generation is cut across the country. U.S. wind power generation on track to surpass coal-fired generationBut with wind power generation rapidly rising in most regions while utilities steadily cut coal capacity, wind output is on track to eventually overtake coal output within the U.S. electricity generation mix, which will mark a significant milestone in U.S. energy transition efforts. In 2015 - before U.S. power producers accelerated renewable power development - coal-fired electricity generation was nearly 700% greater than electricity output from U.S. wind farms. PEAKS AND TROUGHSU.S. wind generation already briefly surpassed total coal-fired power output in April this year, when wind electricity generation totalled 42.85 terawatt hours compared to the 39.8 TWh generated by coal plants, according to Ember. That means that within the current decade U.S. wind power will be able to surpass coal-fired power in the electricity generation mix, and help accomplish a major U.S. energy transition target.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Institute for Energy Economics, U.S, P Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Iowa, Latimer , Iowa, U.S, LITTLETON , Colorado, United States

☆ Europe's clean energy boom cuts forward prices to pre-Ukraine invasion levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreLITTLETON, Colorado, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A boom in clean power electricity generation has helped push Europe's forward power prices to their lowest levels since before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 severed natural gas pipeline flows and sent the region's power prices surging. CLEAN POWER CONVICTIONA major driver behind the subdued power price outlook has been the sharp rise in clean power capacity development across Europe in recent years, and widespread confidence that much further clean power development will emerge in the years ahead. EXTENDED LEADEurope's clean power share ranks second behind Latin America (65%) among major regions, and sharply exceeds the clean power share in North America (47%), Asia (33%) and Africa (25%). Clean power supply expansions are planned throughout every region, but strong government and societal support for an accelerated energy transition means Europe will likely be the largest clean power developer outside China for the remainder of this decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). If those expected clean power expansions materialise, Europe's power prices may decline further and could help the region fulfil its ambitions of becoming a major clean energy hub to rival China.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Miral Organizations: America, International Energy Agency, European Union, South East, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cestas, France, Europe, LITTLETON , Colorado, Ukraine, Germany, North America, Asia, Africa, China, United States, Saharan Africa, South, South East Asia

LITTLETON, Colorado, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Over 60% of global electricity generated so far in 2023 was produced by fossil fuels, despite the ongoing aggressive roll-out of renewable energy sources in every major economy. Fossil fuels remain the primary source of global electricity despite steep gains in clean power outputBut with the energy systems of so many influential countries still so dependent on fossil fuels, there is little chance that COP28 meetings will yield the kind of bold power sector overhauls that ardent climate activists may hope for. Global electricity generation by sourceCoal's staying power as the main pillar of the global electricity generation system is at odds with widely held assumptions that coal is being phased out of power systems due to plant closures seen in Western economies in recent years. GAS ON THE UPNatural gas has the second largest share of electricity generation globally, accounting for around 22.6% of total generation so far this year. RENEWABLE REPLACEMENTSWorldwide, electricity generation from renewable sources has grown at nearly triple the pace of fossil fuels since 2019, providing a boost to supporters of the energy transition away from fossil fuels.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: United Nations, Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, China, India, Japan, Poland, Turkey, Dubai, Europe, North America, Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Germany, South Korea

☆ Tougher EU methane rules mean US gas sector must clean up act -Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Snow covered transfer lines are seen at the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, Maryland March 18, 2014. Methane is the primary component of natural gas, and is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in terms of climate-warming potential over the near term, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a U.S.-based nonprofit. However, in terms of methane intensity, or a measure of how much methane is emitted in the production of oil and gas, the United States ranks 10th, emitting 8.18 tonnes of methane per kiloton of oil energy equivalent (ktoe). That U.S. intensity rating compares favourably to Venezuela's 53.35 tonnes of methane per ktoe, and is 42% less than Russia's 14 tonnes of methane per ktoe. What's more, it is unclear where EU lawmakers will draw the line in terms of what methane intensity levels are acceptable, and if they plan to adjust thresholds over time.

Persons: Snow, Gary Cameron, Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, . Energy Information Administration, U.S, LNG, Russia, International Energy, United States, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lusby , Maryland, LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, U.S, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, States, Canada, Saudi Arabia

☆ Europe primed for industrial reboot after key power price deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

LITTLETON, Colorado, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Mainland Europe's two largest economies have reached key power price deals this month that should set the stage for increased power consumption by industry from 2024 onwards. Higher power and industrial output will in turn likely generate higher total emissions, even amid ongoing efforts to deploy more clean energy throughout Europe's power systems. Both power deals aim to reduce costs and boost energy supplies to households and businesses next year, and will likely spur a rise in total power consumption across Europe following a rare contraction in Europe's power use so far in 2023. Power output from fossil fuels also dropped by around 10% through October, while power generation from clean sources rose by 3.6% to result in a 2.4% decline in Europe's total power generation through the first 10 months of the year. Europe's power generation and power sector emissions dip in 2023Europe's power emissions look set to rebound in 2024 if overall power output increases, as more generation from power plants fuelled by natural gas and coal will be needed alongside greater generation from renewable sources to ensure higher stable power supplies to consumers.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: EDF, FOCUS, Eurasia Group, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, France, Eurasia

For the first time, Indonesia accounted for more than 50% of global thermal coal exports during the January to October window, data from Kpler shows, indicating its success in wresting share from rival exporters. Indonesia coal exports by destinationIndia was the second largest buyer of Indonesian coal, grabbing a roughly 20% share of the total (82 million tons). Indonesia vs Australia thermal coal pricesThat compares to an average $184 per ton for the roughly 6,200 kcal/kg coal shipped from Newcastle in Australia. Indonesia coal export price vs Indonesia coal exports to ChinaThe price to ship a ton of coal from Indonesia to China is currently around $8-$10, compared to $14-$15 a ton for the Australia to China voyage, according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. And that means Indonesia's full-year coal exports will smash previous records for 2023 as a whole.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Russia, TOP, China, Australia, Indonesia, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cilegon, West Java, Indonesia, LITTLETON , Colorado, South Africa, Colombia, United States, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, LSEG, Newcastle, Mozambique, Russia, Indonesian, Asia

WIDESPREAD IMPACTAny shortfall in France's total power generation will have Europe-wide repercussions due to the scale of France's clean power supplies. Even with the rapid advances in clean power generation throughout most major European economies in recent years, France still accounts for over 25% of total clean power generation in the European Union, data from think tank Ember shows. The latest forecast for wind generation in Germany, Europe's largest wind power producer, calls for wind power generation to be 2.1% above the long-term average from November 2023 through to the end of February 2024, data from LSEG shows. Any drop in regional wind power output would also affect regional power flows by raising demand for imports into countries that may see a dip in local wind generation. In recent months, France's rising output of nuclear power has facilitated higher power market exports to neighbouring nations, including the United Kingdom and Italy.

Persons: Yves Herman Acquire, Gavin Maguire, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: EDF, REUTERS, Jan, European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Cattenom, LITTLETON , Colorado, Russia, Ukraine, LSEG, Europe, EU, Germany, Europe's, United Kingdom, Italy

The uneven nature of economic activity in turn makes it a challenge to assess the likely toll on emissions in the world's largest polluter. RIPPLE EFFECTIn addition to retail sales and factory output data, statistics on China's air travel volumes also offer a gauge on broader economic activity and emissions potential. In turn, greater emissions from both the airlines themselves as well as from China's world-leading refining sector can also be expected. China’s exports of an array of goods – from toys to diesel – are risingThe pace of some of those exports may slow over the near term if China's domestic demand improves and helps tighten producer inventories. But if greater output in China helps to depress goods prices, then international consumer demand can be expected to recover, which may further boost China's economic recovery, as well as the emissions that go with it.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Gavin Maguire, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, National Energy Administration, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Wu'an, Hebei province, China, LITTLETON , Colorado, Beijing

SPREAD TOO THINA major drawback for potential green hydrogen users is that there has been too little of the stuff available to allow for much real world testing. Yet these train systems have occupied the time and attention of hydrogen system developers that may have been better spent elsewhere. And as heat pumps have been making rapid inroads into home heating markets across Europe and elsewhere in recent years - at a fraction of the cost of a potential hydrogen set up - it is clear that household hydrogen applications will remain scarce. LADDERING UPThe most promising areas for potential hydrogen use have been highlighted by industry analyst Michael Liebreich in his so-called Hydrogen Ladder. Rather than attempt to deploy hydrogen against lower-cost options in homes and transport systems, Liebreich suggests that the hydrogen industry pursue demand opportunities in helping heavy industry to decarbonise.

Persons: Michael Liebreich, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: International Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Germany, Europe

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2017. GAS HEAVY GENERATIONThe main driver of Thailand's LNG imports - which have jumped by 127% since 2019 - is its gas-heavy electricity generation system. Since 2015, natural gas capacity expansions have accounted for 72% of Thailand's total increases in electricity generation capacity, Ember data shows. TRACKING PROGRESSA key solace for transition advocates is that the development of new electricity generation capacity may be more important than historical capacity development trends. For the near term, however, the strong growth pace of Thailand's LNG imports suggests fossil fuels have most of the expansion momentum in Thailand's energy system.

Persons: Issei Kato, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Institute, Singapore Coal, LNG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Futtsu, Tokyo, Japan, LITTLETON , Colorado, Thailand, LNG, Qatar, Australia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia, Indonesia, Gulf, Vietnam, South East Asia

Gas accounted for around 51% of Italy's total electricity generation in 2022, making the country the most gas-reliant among Europe's largest economies, data from Ember shows. INDUSTRIAL BASEKey to natural gas' staying power in Italy's generation mix is the country's high level of industrial energy demand. However, Italy's power costs have climbed sharply since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 cut natural gas supplies to Western Europe and sent regional power costs soaring. This week's ENI deal offers additional protection for consumers by further reducing Italy's reliance on Russia for natural gas supplies, even as it cements Qatar's position as Italy's top LNG supplier. Higher gas supplies may also help reduce overall power costs, and in turn should help boost the competitiveness of Italy-based businesses relative to regional rivals.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gavin Maguire, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Italy's ENI SpA, Gas, Energy Institute, United States, Department of Commerce, LSEG, ENI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, QatarEnergy, Southern, Italy, Europe Italy, Europe, United, Ukraine, Western Europe, Germany, Russia, United States, Algeria, Qatar

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report published this week revealed that a growing volume of renewable energy generation is being stalled as developers wait for projects to be connected to national electricity grids. Since the report's release on Monday, share prices of companies engaged in building electric grids, or with products and services tied to grid modernisation, have outperformed firms that are focused on renewable energy generation. The share prices of certain firms that hold these particular skill or product sets have seen signs of heightened buying interest this week since the IEA report was published, indicating that some investors may be already placing bets that grid specialist firms may be primed for growth going forward. Germany's E.ON (EONGn.DE), which has a major energy networks division, is up roughly 17% this year, LSEG data shows. Firms that develop smart meters and other grid management tools are also expected to see growth in demand for their services by power companies.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Gavin Maguire, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, IEA, FOCUS, Mastec Inc, U.S, Fluor Corp, Eaton Corporation, E.ON, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Weselitz, Germany, LITTLETON , Colorado, U.S, Ireland

☆ Clean energy fans should not expect too much from pro-EU Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Indeed, the pace of Poland's clean energy supply growth may more often undershoot expectations than exceed them over the near term, even with a significant swing in political power. POWER SYSTEM CHANGES ALREADY UNDERWAYA major reason for climate trackers to expect only modest shifts in clean energy policies and momentum going forward is that Poland's energy system has already substantially cleaned up its electricity generation mix in recent years. Between 2018 and 2022, Poland's electricity producers boosted clean electricity supply capacity by over 150% so that clean sources now account for roughly 40% of total electricity capacity, up from 20% in 2018, data from think tank Ember shows. BACKLOGS BREWINGEmerging problems linking new clean generation assets with Poland's electric grid are a key reason why clean power growth may slow going forward. Pushing power costs lower may even trump plans to further clean up the power generation system, which may only add to power generation costs over the near term despite resulting in lower emissions in the long run.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk's, Gavin Maguire, Sonali Paul Organizations: European Union Civic Coalition, European, Poland's Institute, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, LSEG, Western Europe

A pipe for transporting carbon dioxide to removal equipment is shown at the Tomakomai carbon, capture and storage (CCS) test site in Tomakomai, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan March 22, 2018. Japan aims to cut total carbon emissions by 46% by 2030 from 2013 levels, and has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. In Japan, those difficulties are made worse by the already-strained state of the national power system due to the sharp drop in nuclear power generation since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Over the longer term, Japan is also targeting increases in wind power generation, especially from offshore sites. Electric vehicle sales are accelerating in Japan, but remain a tiny proportion of Japan's total car fleetHowever, EVs represented just 3% of total car sales last year, and account for less than 1% of Japan's total car stock.

Persons: Aaron Sheldrick, EVs, Gavin Maguire, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Institute, Japan, International Energy Agency, IEA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tomakomai, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, LITTLETON , Colorado, India, China, United States, Europe

Brazil boosted clean electricity generation capacity by more than 35% from 2017 to 2022Solar power accounted for 6.8% of Brazil's electricity generation in 2023, up from about 4.2% in 2022, according to Ember. But overall power generation in key European economies such as Germany remains well below peaks seen around 2018-19, as power generators face shortages of key power fuels such as natural gas in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In turn, restricted power output has kept energy costs elevated above long-term averages, which curbed consumption from energy-intensive industries and hobbled overall economic growth. The fact that Brazil's power sector has managed to overcome those challenges to create a world-leading clean power sector may offer counterparts in other regions clues on how to maintain growth rates. Brazil's new position as the cleanest major power sector may also help challenge assumptions that clean power expertise is concentrated in wealthier economies, and may widen the perspective of power sector developers who are trying to map out energy system expansion plans over coming years.

Persons: Sao Jose da Barra, Paulo Whitaker, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, HYDRO, National Electric Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Furnas, Sao Jose, Minas Gerais, Central Brazil, BRAZIL, LITTLETON , Colorado, Brazil, France, Argentina, America, Europe, Germany, Ukraine, Asia

[1/2] Pylons of high-tension electricity power lines are seen at the Olkaria II Geothermal power plant near the Rift Valley town of Naivasha, Kenya February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLITTLETON, Colorado, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Kenya, currently the eighth largest geothermal power user, has more geothermal power capacity under construction than any other country, and plans to nearly double overall geothermal power output by 2030 as part of ambitious green energy goals. Once current projects are completed, Kenya will rank fourth on the global list of geothermal users behind the United States, Indonesia and The Philippines, and aims to generate over half of the country's electricity from geothermal sites, data from Global Energy Monitor shows. Map of global geothermal power facilitiesHowever, in areas where there is active tectonic plate movement and the Earth's heat can be tapped at relatively shallow depths, geothermal facilities can be a cost effective means to generate abundant clean power. WIDENING REACHRelatively easy access to geothermal sources has motivated Kenya to become a global leader in geothermal site development, and the country has boosted geothermal capacity by 375% from 2010 to 2022, more than any other major geothermal producer, data from think tank Ember shows.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, Peketsa, Gavin Maguire, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Global Energy Monitor, Kenya Electricity Generating, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Environment Program, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Naivasha, Kenya, LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, Indonesia, The Philippines, Africa, Ethiopia, Djibouti, East, Eastern Africa

☆ Battered industry may find clean power refuge in Central Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

CENTRAL EUROPE'S PERKSMuch of Central and Eastern Europe has a reputation for being home to outdated heavy industry that once powered former Soviet enterprises and churned out low grade machinery and appliances. A more recent draw is the emissions profile of some of Central Europe's power sectors. Share of electricity from clean sources in select European countriesThose high proportions of clean power are well above the average for Europe as a whole, and are also above the average for the richer nations within the European Union. Power sector emissions from select Central & Eastern European CountriesHungary's power system is also primarily clean, with nearly half coming from nuclear and over 15% from solar. Comparatively low power sector emissions are expected to trend steadily down as the region rolls out more renewable energy supplies.

Persons: Italy's Enel, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Lincoln Organizations: CENTRAL, Warsaw, Central Europe's, Europe, European Union, Gross, Eastern, International Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mochovce, LITTLETON , Colorado, Central, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, Eastern Europe, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, China, France, Eastern, Russia, Power, Czechia

☆ Taiwan aims to shed dirty power reputation with big wind push: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WIND POWERED GROWTHSolar power was Taiwan's largest source of renewable energy generation in 2022, with 10.69 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity produced, compared to 3.53 TWh from wind. In comparison, fossil fuels generated 239 TWh of Taiwan's electricity last year, Ember data shows. REGIONAL REPERCUSSIONSDespite jitters from some developers, overall progress on Taiwan's wind projects continues, and new investments in major offshore ventures were announced just this month by Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co. The continued construction of Taiwan's renewable energy capacity has repercussions for both its domestic power sector and for global fossil fuel export markets. The country's famed semiconductor industry, the world's largest, is aiding the national push for greater renewable energy generation, and has set itself a goal of being powered by 100% green energy supplies by 2040.

Persons: Thomas Peter Acquire, Gavin Maguire, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, China, Global Energy Monitor, Japan's, Mitsui, Co, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Pingtan, Fujian province, China, LITTLETON , Colorado, Asia, South Korea, Japan, India, Taipei, Beijing, Kpler

☆ Beaten down US solar sector may be primed for a rebound: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

High interest rates that caused financing costs for panel installations to surge and enduring supply chain disruptions have stifled residential and corporate solar system orders through much of 2023, hammering sector sentiment. SunPower Corporation (SPWR.O), which for nearly 40 years has been one of the largest U.S. residential solar system installers, has been the downside leader in terms of key solar share prices, dropping by nearly two-thirds year-to-date. The company also expects its leasing business - where it leases instead of sells solar panels to households, and charges homeowners a monthly fee - to show continued growth following a 108% expansion in the second quarter. HOME GROWN PRODUCTIONFirms that specialize in the manufacture of key solar components have also seen steep stock price declines this year. Wall Street trackers are also upbeat on the outlook for First Solar (FSLR.O), which is one the few solar sector companies to have had share prices gain year-to-date.

Persons: Roth, Gavin Maguire, Jamie Freed Organizations: SunPower Corporation, Enphase Energy Inc, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, California, U.S, United States, Ohio, Alabama

☆ US thermal coal exports jump to 5-year highs on Asian demand: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But the strong exports pace also highlights the enduring demand for U.S. coal even as domestic power producers steadily reduce coal's share of the power generation mix. TOP MARKETSAsia accounted for 48% of total U.S. exports, or around 10.6 million tonnes, with 7 million tonnes going to India, 1.3 million tonnes to Japan, 1.1 million tonnes to China and 600,000 tonnes to South Korea. Europe accounted for 26.6% of U.S. exports, with the Netherlands the second-largest buyer overall with 3.2 million tonnes of imports. Elsewhere, Egypt (1.9 million tonnes), Morocco (1.0 million tonnes) and the Dominican Republic (662,000 tonnes) were other large buyers, underscoring a wide geographic span of markets for U.S. coal so far in 2023. In addition, some major coal producers, including China, may increase coal exports over time even as power producers there follow the U.S. lead and reduce coal use in their own generation mixes.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Total U.S, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, China, India, South Korea, Kpler, Indonesia, U.S, Japan, Europe, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Poland, Egypt, Morocco, Dominican Republic, Philippines, Littleton , Colorado

Uranium stone is seen at a news conference of Macusani Yellowcake and Plateau Energy in Lima, Peru July 16, 2018. Investors in uranium have sharply outperformed investors in clean energy and oil & gas majorsThe significance of that change extends well beyond Finland's power market, which gets over a third of its electricity from nuclear plants. The Global X Uranium ETF , the world's largest ETF exposed to the uranium space, is up 31% year-to-date, while Canada's first uranium ETF, the Horizons Global Uranium Index ETF (HURA.TO), is up over 45%, LSEG data shows. However, even with the broad new backing for nuclear, it is far from certain that a significant increase in nuclear power output will actually materialise. In addition, the cost of building new nuclear plants has sky-rocketed in recent years.

Persons: Macusani, Mariana Bazo, NuScale, Gavin Maguire, Sonali Paul Organizations: Plateau Energy, REUTERS, Finland's Green Party, Green Party, Green, Finland Green Party, World Nuclear Association, Uranium, CME, France's EDF, EDF, Institute for Energy Economics, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lima , Peru, LITTLETON , Colorado, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Niger, China, Europe, United States, England, U.S

LITTLETON, Colorado, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Despite the heat waves, wildfires and floods that have amplified calls to accelerate the global energy transition away from fossil fuels, investors withdrew record funds from the world's largest clean energy investment vehicles so far this year. LOST LIMELIGHTA key driver behind the withdrawals from clean energy investment funds this year has been the relative attractiveness of other sectors, such as artificial intelligence. The clean energy space had outperformed other sectors, including technology, over the past two years, and so was likely due for a bit less investor attention this year. However, an equally important factor behind the outflows in clean energy has been the spate of high profile corporate and national disappointments in critical areas of the clean energy industry. In all, weak spots have emerged on key frontiers of the clean energy industry, which have justified the retreat in investment.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Miral Organizations: Investors, Clean Energy, Outflows, First Trust, Energy, Carbon Energy, Robotics, Intelligence, Enphase Energy, European Commission, EV, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Britain, United States, Gulf, Mexico, U.S

CO2 storage tanks are seen at a cement plant and carbon capture facility in Wuhu, Anhui province, China September 11, 2019. China's cement sector discharged 853 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2021, according to the Global Carbon Atlas, nearly six times more than the next largest cement producer, India. The cement sector accounts for roughly 12% of China's total carbon emissions, according to Fidelity International, and along with steel is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters. China’s cement output hits multi-year seasonal lowsSome cement producers will likely look to boost exports in an effort to offset lower domestic sales, and in July China's total cement exports hit their highest since late 2019. And if that's the case, the sector's emissions will come down too, yielding a rare climate benefit to the ongoing property market disruption.

Persons: David Stanway, Gavin Maguire, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, World Cement Association, Global Carbon Atlas, Fidelity International, China Evergrande Group, Shanghai, China National Bureau, Vietnam National Cement Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Wuhu, Anhui province, China, LITTLETON , Colorado, China's, India, Beijing, Vietnam, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia

The United States also offers tax credits of up to $7,500 for buyers of new electric cars, and several more for manufacturers of EVs and EV components. And each government views the support they provide as merely also doing "whatever it takes" to keep their own industries competitive. The mere threat of a probe into China's subsidies might actually be enough to slow the pace of imports from China while allowing sales of European cars to pick up further. Shares of major European car producers have heavily lagged U.S. and China EV rivalsIn that way, the EU Commissioner will have provided a valuable service to Europe's manufacturers without needing to actually dig too deeply into China's subsidy practices. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Gavin Maguire, Josie Kao Organizations: EU Commission, European EV, European Union, EV, United, Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, China EV, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Europe, Beijing, European, United States, Germany, China, EU

France's own hefty nuclear power sector - which generates over 60% of the country's electricity - is clearly a key beneficiary of the allowances made by lawmakers as part of the deal which aggressively lifts EU renewable energy usage targets. But all of Europe's nuclear power producers may get a lift from the new deal, which allows for certain non-emitting nuclear facilities to bypass rules relating to hydrogen production. In addition, the EU's apparent acceptance that nuclear power is a key source of low-carbon energy will likely further shore up support for nuclear power. Beyond France, several European countries rely on nuclear power to generate a substantial share of electricity, including Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium and Bulgaria. The nuclear sector still has plenty of opponents, who point to decades-long construction times and multi-billion dollar price tags as key reasons why cheaper and quicker-to-build renewable sources may be a better fit for Europe's energy needs.

Persons: Regis, France's, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Beyond, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Agen, Toulouse, France, LITTLETON , Colorado, Europe, Ukraine, Beyond France, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany

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