Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
UK OGA awards 113 offshore blocks to 65 oil & gas companies
7 Sep 2020The UK Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) has awarded 113 licence areas over 260 blocks or part-blocks to 65 companies, including Shell, BP, Total, Eni, Chrysaor, EnQuest, Neptune and Equinor. The 32nd Offshore Licensing Round was launched on 11 July 2019 and closed for applications on the 12 November 2019. The awarded areas are located in mature, producing areas close to existing infrastructure in the Northern, Central, and Southern North Sea as well as in the West of Shetland area.
Read moreBelgian court confirms Tihange 2 nuclear unit operations can continue
7 Sep 2020The Court of First Instance of Brussels (Belgium) has confirmed the decision of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) of 2015 to restart the Thihange 2 nuclear unit. During an inspection in 2012, cracks were discovered in the walls of the reactor triggering the shut down of the 1,008 MW unit and restarted in November 2015 after the authorisation received from the FANC.
Read moreDevelopment of Guanyin offshore wind project meets hurdles (Taiwan)
7 Sep 2020The Civil Areonautics Administraiton (CAA) of Taiwan is opposed to the construction of wpd’s 350 MW Guanyin offshore wind project, which is located near the Taoyuan International Airport. According to the CAA, wind turbines could have an impact on flight security.
In August 2020, wdp signed supply agreements for the Guanyin offshore wind project in Taiwan. In April 2020, wdp created a joint venture with Taiwan Green Power (LeaLea Group) to jointly develop the offshore wind project site No. 28, with a planned capacity of 600 MW.
Read moreThe US could fast track large O&G infrastructure projects
7 Sep 2020The US administration is seeking to expedite the environmental permitting process of dozens of major hydrocarbon and infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects targeted for quick review include oil and gas industry proposal such as the 5,000-well Converse gas field in Wyoming, the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas terminal in Oregon, and the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline in Virginia.
Read moreGermany plans to tender 67 GW of renewables capacity by end-2028
4 Sep 2020Germany energy ministry has released the draft law of the new renewable energy law (EEG 2021) that is intended to be adopted by the Federal government in September 2020. It foresees at least 67 GW of new renewable capacity to be auctioned between 2021 and 2028.
According to the document, Germany intends to auction 31.3 GW of onshore wind capacity between 2021 and 2028, of which 16.7 GW by end-2025, while offshore wind will be offered 9.2 GW of new capacity between 2021 and 2025, the auctioned capacity between 2026 and 2028 being determined later for this technology.
Read moreLithuania will adopt a CfD model for offshore wind auctions
4 Sep 2020The Lithuanian Ministry of Energy has submitted to the government a package aiming a creating a regulatory framework for the development of wind energy in the Baltic Sea, which will be supported using the contract for difference (CfD) model. The first auction is scheduled in 2023. In addition, the Lithuanian authorities envisage to give the responsibility for installing transmission networks connecting offshore wind plant to the transmission system operator.
Read moreForecasts
Denmark’s natural gas output should drop to 1.1 bcm in 2020
7 Sep 2020According to the Danish Energy Agency, Denmark is expected to produce 83,000 bb/d of crude oil in 2020 and 1.1 bcm of natural gas du to the closure of the Tyra field. The country produced 114,000 bb/d of crude oil in 2018 and 3.1 bcm of natural gas in 2019. Due to resumption of production at the Tyra field, Denmark’s hydrocarbon output is forecasted to increase to 106,000 bbl/ of crude oil and 3 bcm of natural gas in 2024.
Read moreInfrastructure & Investments
Polish companies plan a 750 MW CCGT project in Ostrołęka (Poland)
7 Sep 2020The Polish oil refiner and retailer PKN Orlen (27.5% state-owned) has signed a letter of intent with Poland’s oil and gas company PGNiG to build a 750 MW CCGT unit at the Ostrołęka power plant. The project is expected to be operational by 2024. In addition, the two companies will conduct analyzes and development works to enable the construction of an unspecified number of creation of biogas plants by the end of 2025.
Read moreSonnedix’s 191 MW solar project in Chile gets environmental approval
7 Sep 2020The Environmental Assessment Commission of the Valparaíso region (Chile) has approved the environmental study for the 192 MW Meseta de los Andes solar project. The project, developed by London-based independent power producer Sonnedix, encompasses the construction and operation of a 192 MWp solar plant, a booster substation and a 220 kV line, approximately 15.6 km long to the existing Los Maquis substation owned by Colbún. As of August 2020, solar power accounts for 10% of Chile’s installed capacity. More than 3.1 GW are under construction, and 17.1 GW are under development.
Read morePilot Energy plans 1.1 GW offshore wind project in Australia
7 Sep 2020Australian oil and gas company Pilot Energy has initiated a feasibility study to develop an 1.1 GW offshore wind project off the coast of the midwest region of Western Australia, which would be combined with a solar plant. The company owns 60% of an offshore exploration permit – WA-481-P – off the Western Australia coast covering 8,600 square kilometres. As of August 2020, onshore wind power accounts for 9% of Australia’s installed capacity, with 7.3 GW. Almost 2.6 GW are under construction and 31 GW under construction.
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