Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
New York State (US) selects Equinor and BP for 2.5 GW offshore wind projects
15 Jan 2021The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (United States) has selected the Equinor – BP partnership to provide 2,490 MW of power as part of its second offshore wind solicitation. Equinor’s proposal includes two projects, namely 1,260 MW Empire Wind 2 and 1,230 MW Beacon Wind 1. Empire Wind is located southeast of Long Island and is being developed in two phases with a potential total installed capacity of more than 2 GW (816 MW first phase already selected in a NYSERDA solicitation).
Read moreDenmark pre-selects 6 bidders for the 0.8-1 GW Thor offshore wind project
15 Jan 2021The Danish Energy Agency has pre-qualified a total of six consortia and companies to participate in the tender for the Thor offshore wind project, with a minimum capacity of 800-1000 MW. The selected applicants are Ørsted, RWE (Thor Wind Farm project subsidiary), Vattenfall, Swan Wind (owned by Eneco and European Energy), a consortium of Total and Iberdrola, and a consortium of SSE and Thor OFW (owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure IV and Andel Holding).
Read moreBrazil plans to open its nuclear sector to private investments
15 Jan 2021The Brazilian government is considering ending the state monopoly on nuclear power and opening the sector to private investors. The authorities will send a proposal for a constitutional amendment to the Congress in the first half of 2021 with the aim of allowing private companies to explore uranium mining and generate nuclear power. The first partnership in the nuclear sector could be concluded for the completion of the 1,245 MW Angra 3 nuclear plant.
Read moreThe US EPA seeks to exempt oil and gas sector from GHG emissions limits
14 Jan 2021The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalised a rule that exempts sectors whose pollution accounts for less than 3% of US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from limits under the Clean Air Act. This move would concern the oil and gas production, refineries, and most other industrial sources, which each account for just under 3% of US GHG emissions (compared to power plants that make up 25%) but are large methane emittors.
Read moreThe Polish senate adopts offshore wind act, targeting 5.9 GW by 2030
14 Jan 2021The Senate of Poland has passed the offshore wind act, which governs the method of obtaining state support for developers interested in building offshore wind projects in the country. The new regulation introduces in Poland bilateral contract for difference, similar to the UK’s Contract for Difference scheme, which will cover the difference between the market price of energy and the price enabling producers to cover the ofshore wind production cost.
Read moreCompanies
Engie added 3 GW of renewables capacity in 2020
15 Jan 2021Engie commissioned 3 GW of new renewable capacity in 2020, including 1.8 GW in the United States, 900 MW in Europe and 300 MW in Latin America and other countries. Of the 3 GW added in 2020, 70% is onshore wind, 21% solar PV and 9% offshore wind. Indeed, the first tranche of a bottom-fixed offshore wind farm in Belgium (235 MW Seamade Mermaid) entered into commercial operations in 2020. At the end of 2020, Engie’s gross renewable energy capacity amounted to 31 GW, including 57% of hydropower and 43 % of wind and solar.
Read moreEnergy & Climate Markets
Kyushu Electric restarts 890 MW Sendai-2 nuclear reactor in Japan
15 Jan 2021Kyushu Electric has restarted the 890 MW unit-2 of its Sendai nuclear power plant in the Kagoshima prefecture in southern Japan, after meeting the new regulations on back-up safety measures. In November 2020, the company restarted Sendai-1. The two units were shut down respectively in March 2020 and in May 2020.
Read moreChina’s crude oil imports rose by 7.3% to 10.9 mb/d in 2020
15 Jan 2021According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s crude oil imports increased by 7.3% in 2020 to 542 Mt (10.85 mb/d), boosted by low prices and the start-up of new refineries. The country increased the first batch of crude oil import quotas for non-state companies by 18% to 122.6 Mt in 2021, reflecting the increased capacity of private refiners. In addition, China’s gas imports, including LNG, rose by 5.3% to 101.7 Mt, as a harsh winter and a quick economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic boosted demand.
Read moreInfrastructure & Investments
Cambodia commissions two 200 MW heavy fuel oil-fired power plants
15 Jan 2021Cambodia has commissioned two 200 MW heavy fuel oil-fired power plants in Kandal province’s Lvea Em district, which entered construction in October 2019. The first plant, powered by a 200 MW generator provided by Wärtsilä, was built by Chinese state-owned company CGGC-UN Power, while the second one, which uses a 200 MW generator provided by Man Group, was developed by China National Heavy Machinery Corporation (CHMC).
Read moreEnergean takes FID on Karish North gas development offshore Israel
15 Jan 2021Energean has taken the final investment decision on the Karish North gas development offshore Israel, expecting a production of up to 300 mcf/d (approximately 3 bcm/year) starting in the second half of 2023. The Karish North field is estimated to hold 32 bcm of gas and 34 mbl of liquids (around 241 mboe), which will be commercialised thanks to a low-cost tie-back to the Energean Power FPSO. Initial capital expenditure in the project is estimated at US$150m.
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