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[1/3] Web designer Lorie Smith, plaintiff in a Supreme Court case who objects to same-sex marriage, poses for a portrait at her office in Littleton, Colorado, U.S., November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/June 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday is poised to rule on whether a Christian web designer from Colorado has a right to refuse to provide services for same-sex marriages based on constitutional free speech protections - a case that could upend state anti-discrimination laws. The liberal justices during the argument said a decision favoring Smith could empower certain businesses to discriminate. Smith thus is free to sell whatever she wants, including websites with biblical passages stating an opposite-sex vision of marriage. The Supreme Court has supported religious rights and related free speech claims in recent years in other cases.

Persons: Lorie Smith, Kevin Mohatt, Smith, preemptively, Joe Biden's, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Alliance Defending, Thomson Locations: Littleton , Colorado, U.S, Colorado, Denver, Colorado's, Littleton, New York

☆ Supreme Court rules for web designer who refused to work on same-sex weddings
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Web designer Lorie Smith, plaintiff in a Supreme Court case who objects to same-sex marriage, poses for a portrait at her office in Littleton, Colorado, U.S., November 28, 2022. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favor of an evangelical Christian web designer from Colorado who refuses to work on same-sex weddings. The remaining 21 states do not have laws explicitly protecting LGBTQ rights in public accommodations, although some local municipalities do. Lower courts ruled against Smith, prompting her to appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled on the baker case before the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who voted in favor of LGBTQ rights in key cases.

Persons: Lorie Smith, Colorado's, Neil Gorsuch, Smith, Samuel Alito, —, Jack Phillips, Eric Olson, Phillips, Anthony Kennedy, Donald Trump, Kennedy, — Organizations: Klux Klan, NBC News, Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Supreme, Civil Rights Commission, Alliance Defending, Catholic Church Locations: Littleton , Colorado, U.S, Colorado, United States, Philadelphia

STEEP GROWTH, EVERYWHEREAsia dominates the global wind power market, accounting for just over 47% of the worldwide capacity growth in 2022, according to Ember. Annual wind power generation capacity growth by regionOutside of Asia, Europe was the fastest growing region in terms of wind capacity in 2022, where installed capacity expanded by close to 20 GW, or by 8.4%. North America was the next largest wind capacity developer, with 8.84 GW, followed by Latin America, which expanded capacity by 4.36 GW. WIND GROWTH MORE BALANCED THAN SOLARWith just over half of all wind capacity growth occurring outside of Asia in 2022, global wind turbine producers and installation firms have had a larger share of international opportunities than their counterparts in the solar business. In combination with continued strong demand for wind power supply capacity and substantially cheaper supply chain flows, the expected improvements in each firms' wind segment performance should also yield improvements in future financial metrics.

Persons: gigawatts, Vestas, Gavin Maguire, Kim Coghill Organizations: Germany's Siemens Energy, Electric Co, Science & Technology, Siemens, GE, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, Danish, Xinjiang, Asia, Ember, China, Europe, North America, America, Africa, Oceania, Freightos

☆ Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks to get honorary Oscars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters - Actor Angela Bassett and veteran filmmaker Mel Brooks will receive Academy Honorary Awards this year in honour of their careers and contribution to cinema, Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has said. The Academy announced it had voted to present the awards to two-time Oscar nominee Bassett and "The Producers" writer Brooks, as well as to editor Carol Littleton at its Governor Awards in November. "Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting. Mel Brooks lights up our hearts with his humor, and his legacy has made a lasting impact on every facet of entertainment," Yang added. Writer, director, actor and producer Brooks, who turns 98 on Wednesday, began his career writing comedy routines for Sid Caesar's TV shows.

Persons: Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks, Bassett, Brooks, Carol Littleton, Michelle Satter, Jean Hersholt, Janet Yang, Yang, Carol Littleton’s, Tina Turner, Exhale, Ramonda, Sid Caesar's, Oscar, Robin Hood, Littleton, Satter, Marie, Louise Gumuchian, Ed Osmond Organizations: Hollywood's Academy, Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, The Academy, Sundance, Jean, Governors, Sundance Institute, Academy, Thomson

And while South Africa may have topped the overall pile of major economies in 2022, the trajectory of its carbon intensity has been steadily lower for the past decade, with the latest carbon intensity level nearly 8% lower than that of 2010. Poland's carbon intensity is also on a steadily declining track, and has dropped 16% since 2010 due to greater use of renewables and cleaner-burning natural gas in energy generation. Carbon intensity of key Asian economiesIndia, which had a carbon intensity of 632 grams per KWh in 2022, also has a declining intensity trend, although at a much shallower slope than Poland given India's continued high reliance on coal in power generation. TRENDING LOWEROther key economies with significant carbon intensity trends include Japan, which was forced to sharply increase carbon intensity in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown by shuttering other nuclear plants and increasing use of coal and gas-fired plants to generate electricity instead. Some economies are increasing their carbon intensity, but most have reduced intensity since 2010Most other major economies are also undergoing steady carbon intensity declines, including Australia, which in the early 2000's had one of the highest carbon intensity ratings in the world thanks to its predominantly coal-fired power system, but has now cut that intensity through sharp increases in solar and wind power generation.

Persons: plumb, Gavin Maguire, Conor Humphries Organizations: United States, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, China, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Poland, Africa, Morocco, The Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Guinea, Bissau, Gambia, South Sudan, Japan, Australia

☆ Angela Bassett and Mel Brooks Are Among Those to Receive Honorary Oscars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Kyle Buchanan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just a few months after Angela Bassett came close to clinching a supporting-actress Oscar for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she’ll become one of four Hollywood figures to receive an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced. Also getting honorary Oscars will be the director Mel Brooks and the editor Carol Littleton, while the Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter will be presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The awards “honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” the academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. Bassett, 64, was first nominated for playing Tina Turner in the biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and also starred in films like “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Malcolm X” and “Boyz N the Hood.” Her awards-season run for Wakanda Forever” earlier this year netted her a Golden Globe, and though she lost the Oscar to “Everything Everywhere All at Once” supporting actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Bassett is still one of only four Black actresses to have received more than one Oscar nomination for acting.

Persons: Angela Bassett, Oscar, “, she’ll, Mel Brooks, Carol Littleton, Michelle Satter, Jean Hersholt, ”, Janet Yang, Bassett, Tina Turner, Stella, ” “ Malcolm X ”, Jamie Lee Curtis Organizations: Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, Sundance, Globe

☆ Column: Reduced wind generation puts Texas power system to the test
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | 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

However, even with those increases in capacity, recent wind power generation totals have slumped from year-ago levels as wind speeds dropped around the southern United States. Change in ERCT power generation in Jan-June 2023 from Jan-June 2022Combined with a roughly 25% drop in power generation from coal, and a 6.2% decline in nuclear output, the slump in wind generation has left ERCOT's total power generation roughly 3% down during the first half of June from the same period in 2022. RECOVERY DRIVEThe recent dip in wind power generation is clearly causing strain on the Texas power market, but steady increases in electricity generation capacity across the entire ERCOT system suggest the current stresses may only be temporary. In addition to the largest expansions to wind power capacity in the United States, Texas utilities are also expected to add around 7.7 GW of solar power capacity in 2023. Over the longer run, Texas' wind generation totals will play a decisive role in ERCOT system stability.

Persons: Refinitiv, Gavin Maguire, Jamie Freed Organizations: Electric, of Texas, Utilities, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Texas, Refinitiv, United States, Jan, California

☆ Column: Europe's clashes over coal may extend well beyond Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | 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

However, while Poland may be Europe's most coal-dependent economy with roughly 70% of electricity coming from coal, it is far from being Europe's only economy with a vested interest in extending the life of its power plants. HEAVY USERSGermany has the highest number of coal plants in Europe, with 53 facilities listed as participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), data from Ember shows. Poland is also home to the Belchatow Power Station, which is by far Europe's largest thermal coal plant, which alone spewed out over 35 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. Czechia, formerly the Czech Republic, has 19 coal-fired plants in the EU ETS which emitted a collective 34 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022. Share of electricity from coal in select European countriesBulgaria, which depended on coal for 42% of electricity last year, has five plants in the EU ETS which emitted 23.8 million tonnes last year.

Persons: Ember, Belchatow, Gavin Maguire, Sonali Paul Organizations: Union, European Union, EU, Trading, ETS, EU ETS, World Bank, Belchatow, Southern, Global Energy Monitor, Western, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Turkey, Czechia, Greece, Europe, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy

LITTLETON, Colorado, June 12 (Reuters) - A heat wave across China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea looks set to drive coal use for electricity generation to new highs over coming weeks, priming the region that accounts for more than 60% of world coal emissions to boost pollution further. Forecasts for Beijing, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are all calling for temperatures well above local long-term averages in the coming weeks, according to Refinitiv data. This means power producers will expect greater electricity demand over the coming months from homes, apartments and businesses, and rack up power generation fuels accordingly. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have all reduced year-to-date coal imports compared to the same period in 2022, but China's sheer scale means its increased tonnage more than outweighs the decline in imports seen elsewhere in East Asia. A steep jump in China's thermal coal imports has lifted total East Asia coal imports to new highs in Jan-June 2023China's coal consumption will also set the overall tone for regional emissions, even if other countries continue to pare back coal use in power mixes.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Authorities, International Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Asia, Korea, East Asia, pare

☆ Column: Emissions watchers wary of Japan's power saving pleas
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | 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

LITTLETON, Colorado, June 11 (Reuters) - The Japanese government has called for homes and businesses to curb power use this summer, but emissions trackers are still bracing for a sharp uptick in Japan's power pollution as higher temperatures trigger increased air conditioner use. Recent weather forecasts call for Japan's temperatures to average nearly 4% above normal in July and 3% higher than normal in August, according to Refinitiv. Japan seasonal coal use and coal emissionsThose same months are when Japan's use of coal for electricity generation also typically peaks, along with power sector emissions, data from think tank Ember shows. COAL IMPORTS LEAD POWER EMISSIONSThis year, those usage and pollution patterns look set to be repeated, regardless of the government's recent pleas to curb power use. Power production trends show Japan's energy usage tends to have two distinct periods of strength when the country's weather is at its most severe - during winter and summer.

Persons: Japan's, Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Japan's Ministry, Economy, Trade, Industry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Japan, Kpler, Ukraine

Electricity generation from hydro power sources has fallen in Asia, Europe and North America over the opening months of 2023 from the same period in 2022, crimping a key source of clean power generation for electricity providers. China, the top global hydro power, alone has 30% of global capacity, but in the opening months of 2023 has seen hydro generation fall 7.2% from the same period in 2022 due to reduced precipitation and hot, dry conditions in key hydro hubs in the Yunnan province. In contrast, hydro output in Japan has increased by nearly 16% from year-before levels, Ember data shows. EUROPE'S MIXED BAGEurope has around 22% of global hydro generation capacity, and has had a mixed hydro output record so far in 2023. In contrast, hydro output in Latin America is trending above year-ago levels, with Brazil, the third largest hydro producer globally, seeing production run around 3.4% above 2022's levels, and Colombia experiencing a roughly 10% increase.

Persons: crimping, EUROPE'S, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Hydro, Europe, SOUTH AMERICA, Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Nova, Ukraine, Asia, Europe, North America, Russia, China, U.S, India, Vietnam, Turkey, Yunnan, Asia's, Japan, Norway, Sweden, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, SOUTH AMERICA Canada, North, Washington , Arizona , Nevada, Colorado, America, Brazil, Colombia

☆ Column: Poland defies big polluter expectations with coal use cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | 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

So instead of emerging as a climate laggard compared to wealthier European peers, Poland is keeping pace with the cuts to coal use and power emissions seen elsewhere, and may soon force emissions forecasters to trim their future pollution projections across the region. TARGETED CUTSEmissions forecasters using planned power generation data from major economies estimate that Europe's total carbon dioxide emissions will drop by 47% from 2022's total by 2030, largely due to planned steep cuts to coal use in Germany. Over the same time frame, Poland's electricity generation from coal has dropped by roughly 20%, resulting in an equal magnitude drop in coal-fired emissions. PRICE PAINGoing forward, a key factor that will drive Poland's overall electricity demand will be the price of it. If coal prices remain stubbornly strong relative to gas, then Poland's power producers may find themselves in the unenviable position of potentially ranking among the highest cost electricity generators in Europe.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Poland, European Union, World Bank, COVID, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Poland, Germany, Western Europe, Europe, France, The Netherlands, Spain

☆ Column: Germany energy transition faces key chemical sector conundrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | 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

However, Germany is also home to Europe's largest chemicals sector which churns out plastics, paints, acids and other key inputs that are critical to manufacturers and heavy industries that form the backbone of the German economy. Sharply lower business activity also caused a drop in chemicals consumption last year, but as economic activity recovered in 2023 a lingering shortage of key chemical products has pushed German chemicals prices to near record premiums over those supplied by other producers. DAMAGE DONEThe sustained high prices of German chemical products over international rivals have two important damaging consequences. If the German chemicals sector is to ensure its own long-term future, it must somehow win back any business lost among commodity manufacturers by driving product prices steadily lower relative to rival offerings. On its own, the chemicals sector may struggle to both cut costs and clean up its own product lines and emissions footprints.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: German Chemicals Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Germany, Europe, South East Asia, Polymerupdate, United States

☆ Column: World can't afford US-style home energy consumption habits
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | 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

HOMES RULEA key driver behind America's outsized electricity consumption is the preference for single family homes over all other types of residences. For many in the United States, owning your own home is a key part of the so-called American Dream. According to the EIA's latest Residential Energy Consumption Survey 57% of electricity used by detached households is used for space heating, and 64% for air conditioning. OTHER WAYS OF LIVINGThe United States is not alone in facing rising living costs while trying to improve the efficiencies of buildings. Similarly, a vast majority of China's population lives in apartments, and apartments are more popular than individual houses in the cities of India, Japan and Southeast Asia.

☆ Column: Drive to keep cool kicks off peak US power emissions season
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | 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

Around 416 million air conditioner units are estimated to be in use in the U.S., or more than three per household. This results in the U.S. power system having a higher carbon intensity during the summer period than over winter months. Carbon intensity measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is discharged to generate each unit of energy. US power sector emissions seasonallyThat difference in carbon intensity during the summer versus the yearly average is roughly 3%, and so may not appear to be particularly significant. However, given that production of non-emitting solar power peaks during the summer, the fact that power producers must also deploy large volumes of fossil fuels highlights just how much extra power is needed during the air conditioning season.

☆ Column: India's pledge to stop new coal power plants to hit key states
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | 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

IN CONSTRUCTIONThe new proposals make clear that whatever coal capacity is already under construction in India will proceed. A total of 32,000 megawatts of new coal power is currently being built in India, according to the Global Energy Monitor (GEM). India coal capacity under constructionOnce completed, that would boost current operating capacity by close to 14%, and lift total Indian coal capacity to beyond 266,000 MW, GEM data shows. Alongside the widespread swell in coal capacity is even faster growth in renewables energy supply capacity across India. Proponents of immediate cuts to coal power use may be disappointed that several new coal projects will still emerge.

☆ Column: Texas trumps California as key US energy transition driver
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | 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

Texas vs California vs Rest of USA electricity generation mixSince 2018, Texas has also outpaced California and the national average in both total electricity generation additions and in cuts to power emissions, making the Lone Star state a key beacon for others looking to reduce emissions but increase power generation totals. Texas vs California electricity generation by sourceThe rapid renewable energy capacity development is also a major driver of jobs growth in the state, which is helping to offset potential concerns about stranded assets and reduced demand for energy sector workers once global energy systems transition away from fossil fuels. A heavy historic reliance on natural gas and coal for electricity generation has also meant that Texas has one of the most carbon-intensive power systems in the United States. TEXAS TEMPLATEWhile California is losing its lustre as a model for power sector planners elsewhere, Texas has shown it is possible to boost electricity generation totals while reducing emissions in recent years. But many states will be able to learn from Texas' evolving mix of generation sources that have been harnessed to push electricity generation levels higher while curbing emissions.

☆ Here's why Hollywood writers are on strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHere's why Hollywood writers are on strikeCynthia Littleton, Variety co-editor-in-chief, joins 'Squawk Box' to break down the latest on Hollywood writers' strike, how we got here, and what happens next.

☆ Column: China's manufacturing wobble may drive coal use even higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | 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

China on track to hit record coal use and coal power emissions levels in 2023Emissions from that record coal generation total also hit a new high, topping 1.14 billion tonnes, Ember data shows. Further increases in China's coal imports are likely as the peak demand period for air conditioning kicks in over the summer. For cost-conscious power producers, the wide price spread between thermal coal and natural gas will also be supportive for coal imports, even if cleaner-burning natural gas can also be used for power generation. In Guangdong province, home to one of China's largest manufacturing hubs, natural gas prices are currently trading around 5,500-5,700 yuan per tonne, according to data from Refinitiv. Over time, stronger global consumer demand may give China's power producers scope to switch out dirty coal for more costly but cleaner gas, which would help drive China's power emissions lower even as industrial output climbs.

☆ Column: Poland's pushback on EU climate goals no surprise, but a worry
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

(Related column: Europe raises green energy climate hurdles with red tape revamp)GREEN MOMENTUMPoland's main objections to the more aggressive EU climate goals are mainly about timing rather than any disagreement over the merits of reducing emissions. A key gauge of energy intensity measures the total amount of energy needed to generate one unit of gross domestic product (GDP), using a ratio of primary energy consumption over GDP. In 2021, Poland's energy intensity ratio was 0.086, according to data firm Enerdata. That compares with Germany's energy intensity of 0.070, and an average for the whole European Union of 0.074. A key worry for EU lawmakers is that the burden of compliance with the EU's new stiffer emissions standards acts as a drain on Poland's energy transition ambitions.

☆ Column: Europe raises green energy climate hurdles with red tape revamp: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

EMISSIONS TRADING TWEAKSThe European Union's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the region's main device for managing emissions by providing financial incentives to cut pollution while penalising high emitters. This is designed to prevent companies moving heavy polluting parts of their supply chain to areas outside of the EU ETS catchment area, and ensure that companies cannot merely outsource the dirtiest parts of the production phase elsewhere. However, this new mechanism runs the risk of eroding the cost competitiveness of hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as steel and chemicals producers. The key now for Europe's lawmakers is to ensure that many of these new hurdles can still be cleared by key industries without undermining the economic competitiveness of the entire region. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Column: N America wind power sector needs cost cuts & supply chain revamp
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | 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

However, such an upbeat projection will require North America to rapidly catch up with Greater China and Europe in terms of wind power expertise. But for wind power generation to expand by the degree needed to attain emissions targets, more substantial cost cutting and streamlining is required throughout the entire supply chain. WIND PLAYING CATCH UPSince 2015, cheap components and quick installation times have driven North American utilities to increase solar power generation at more than twice the pace of wind power, data from think tank Ember shows. Since onshore wind sites cost around 4.2 cents per kWh, and fixed offshore wind farms 4.84 cents per kWh, wind power looks like the most attractive option for year-round clean power potential. In China, the top producer of several key wind power parts, the price of key industrial inputs has risen notably since mid-2020, including steel (up 22%), aluminium (up 55%) and copper (up 64%), which are all critical in wind power products.

☆ Column: Germany goes all in on energy transition with nuclear shutdowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | 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

To combat that vulnerability, and ensure Germany's energy system can accommodate a recovery in power demand from last year's stunted levels despite lower gas-fired and nuclear output, Germany's power producers must continue to retool the country's entire power system at record pace. FIT FOR PURPOSEThe key near-term challenge for Germany's energy producers is to generate as much power and electricity as was delivered before Russia's incursions into Ukraine upended power markets. The lower electricity generation totals also indicate that power producers may be struggling to lift overall generation levels given the falling supplies of nuclear power output and continued tight availability of natural gas. The extent of coal's demand growth will be determined by overall power demand needs in Germany over the coming months. But with low-emitting nuclear power now off the table, more coal use looks inevitable, at least over the near term.

☆ Column: Peak emissions hopes to be tested as China & Europe crank output
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | 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

Industries in both regions were impaired in 2022 by repeated COVID-19 lockdowns in China and a power crisis in Europe, which resulted in sharp cuts to their combined industrial output. Even so, China and Europe still lifted fossil fuel power emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to a record 5.99 billion tonnes in 2022, Ember data shows, which is a testament to their combined polluting heft even during times of economic distress. Power sector emissions from fossil fuelsIn 2023, the economies of China and Europe are expected to return to growth paths as factories and production lines dial up output from the subdued levels of last year, resulting in higher overall energy use. That may lift emissions even higher, and confound expectations for drops in fossil fuel pollution levels going forward. German production of steel, chemicals and fertilizers have all climbed in early 2023 after having fallen precipitously during 2022 when power prices surged.

☆ Column: Europe's stunted hydro & nuclear output may hobble recovery drive
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | 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

PHASED OUT & DRIED UPNuclear and hydro power accounted for an average of 40% of total electricity generation in Europe from 2000 to 2020, Ember data shows. But that proportion of electricity generation dropped to less than 35% in 2022 as a combination of drought in key hydro areas alongside planned shutdowns of outdated nuclear capacity dealt a double-whammy to hydro and nuclear generation assets. Record low snowfall and precipitation over the past winter looks set to drive hydro generation potential even lower in 2023. France, Europe's top nuclear power producer, is also struggling with sharply lower nuclear power generation. If conditions stay dry and nuclear output remains curtailed, Europe's electricity producers will struggle to increase overall electricity generation without resorting to increased use of fossil fuels.

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