Daily Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
South Africa eases rules for private power generation above 1 MW
2 Nov 2020The South African government has authorised the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to grant permission to process licence applications for self-generation power plants of above 1 MW, even if they don’t comply with the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019).
Read moreMoldova pledges to implement EU gas laws by the end of 2021
2 Nov 2020Moldova plans to fully implement most aspects of the EU third energy package obligations from 2021, including unbundling the gas transmission system operator (TSO) Moldovatransgaz from the national gas company Moldovagaz, and revise cross-border tariffs. In addition, the reform program also calls for operator certification by the Energy Community in line with EU standards and for the separation of Moldovagaz’ import and trading operations from final supply to consumers.
Read moreThe Philippines implements a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants
30 Oct 2020The Philippines has decided to cease coal-fired power plant developments. The moratorium on new coal-fired power plants will not concern projects that are already approved or that have secured permits.
Read moreChina’s 14th Five-Year Plan will include carbon intensity cut targets
30 Oct 2020China will set a national goal on carbon intensity (i.e. CO2 emissions per unit of GDP) reduction to reach its CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2060. The national target will be included in the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2021-2025). In addition, the country will come up with mandatory targets for regions to reduce carbon intensity and to ramp up inspections.
Read moreCompanies
Japan’s J-Power will close 40% of its coal-fired capacity by 2030
2 Nov 2020The Japanese power utility Electric Power Development (J-Power) intends to close old and low-efficiency coal-fired power plants by 2030, which accounts for about 40% of the company’s 8.4 GW coal-fired power capacity.
Read moreEcuador will block the planned sale of Repsol’s stake in oil assets
2 Nov 2020The Ecuadorian government has decided to block the sale of Spanish energy group Repsol’ upstream and midstream oil assets in Ecuador to the Canadian group New Stratus Energy. Earlier in October 2020, New Stratus Energy had signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Repsol to acquire its 35% stake in service contracts for Blocks 16 and 67, with a production capacity of 18,000 bbl/d; the contracts for both blocks will expire in December 2022.
Read moreENGIE acquires a 420 MW wind project in Australia
2 Nov 2020Engie Australia and New Zealand has acquired the 420 MW Hills of Gold wind project near Nundle, in New South Wales (Australia). The project is currently progressing through the planning process. Construction is expected to start in 2022. Engie already operates 1,200 MW of low-carbon power plants in Australia.
Read moreEnergy & Climate Markets
BP will close its 146,000 bbl/d Kwinana refinery in Australia
2 Nov 2020BP Australia will stop its 146,000 bbl/d Kwinana refinery, near Fremantle (Western Australia), and will convert it to an import terminal, citing the competition from large-scale, export-oriented refineries throughout Asia and the Middle East. Refining activities will wind down over the next six months and the new terminal is expected to be operational in 2022.
Read moreInfrastructure & Investments
Samsung wins US$3.6bn contract for Dos Bocas refinery (Mexico)
2 Nov 2020The Mexican national oil and gas company Pemex has awarded a US$3.6bn contract to Samsung Engineering for the construction of the second phase of its 340,000 bbl/d Dos Bocas refinery project in Tabasco (Mexico). The refinery consists of six packages in total and Samsung Engineering received two out of them: Package 2 will include Diesel Hydrodesulfurization (DHDT) Unit, Gasoil Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) Unit, Naphtha Hydro-treating (NHT) Unit and Naphtha Reformer and Package 3 will include Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit.
Read moreRepsol revives its Aguayo hydropower plant expansion project (Spain)
2 Nov 2020The Spanish energy group Repsol has relaunched the planned expansion of the 340 MW Aguayo pumped-storage hydropower plant in Cantabria (northern Spain) to 1,360 MW, which would require a €600m investment. The power plant was acquired by Repsol from Viesgo in November 2018. Repsol aims to focus on wind and solar but will also invest in other renewable technologies providing uninterrupted power supply, such as storage and hydrogen.
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