Latest Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
Uzbekistan launches tender for 400 MW of solar projects
25 Feb 2020The Government of Uzbekistan has published an invitation for expression of interest for two 200 MW solar power projects in the Samarkand and Jizzakh regions (east of the country). Interested parties have until 21 March 2020 to submit an expression of interest. In a second step, selected developers will be invited to present a prequalification application, and a binding technical and financial proposals at a later stage. The International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group) will advise the government on the transaction.
Malaysia to implement B30 biodiesel mandate in transport sector before 2025
25 Feb 2020The government of Malaysia plans to start a biodiesel program with a 30% bio-content (B30) in the transport sector before 2025. Malaysia’s newly launched National Automotive Policy 2020 comprises measures, including the development of testing and standards, to encourage the adoption of B30. The country plans a trial of B30 in June 2020.
The USDA announces 30% biofuel target for 2050
24 Feb 2020The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set an objective of 15% of biofuels in transportation fuels by 2030 and 30% in 2050, as part of a plan which seeks to increase farm production by 40% and reduce the agricultural sector’s environmental impact by 50% over the next decade.
Companies
Portugal’s EDP generated 45% of its power from wind in 2019
25 Feb 2020In 2019, the Portuguese energy group EDP posted a 2% decrease in its installed capacity to 26,681 MW, due to the sale of a 51% stake in 997 MW worhth of operating power assets in Europe (388 MW in France, 348 MW in Spain, 191 MW in Portugal and 71 MW in Belgium). Installed wind power capacity fell by 871 MW in Europe but increased by 382 MW in North America, and accounted for 40% of EDP’s installed capacity; hydropower capacity covered another 33%, followed by gas (14%), coal (12%), and solar (less than 1%).
EPH buys Uniper’s stake in 900 MW lignite-fired power plant (Germany)
25 Feb 2020Uniper and Saale Energie, a subsidiary of the Czech group Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (EPH), have signed an agreement on the sale of Uniper’s 58% stake in the Schkopau lignite-fired power plant in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany).
France shuts down first reactor at Fessenheim nuclear power plant
24 Feb 2020The first 880 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant in northeastern France has been stopped and the second 880 MW one will stop operations by the end of June 2020.
Energy & Climate Markets
The Netherlands will cut Groningen gas production ahead of target
25 Feb 2020The Dutch government plans to reduce gas extraction from the Groningen gas field in 2020 from the expected 11.8 bcm to 10 bcm, thanks to increased use of nitrogen that makes low-calorific gas suitable for consumers and industry. According to estimates from the Dutch State Supervision of Mines, under normal climate conditions, Groningen gas production will drop to 9.3 bcm in 2020/2021 and 3 bcm in 2021/2022, before reaching 0 from the spring of 2022. After 2022, the field will be used as a reserve during an extremely cold situation. It will definitively close in 2025/2026.
Infrastructure & Investments
Saudi Arabia approves the development of Jafurah gas field
25 Feb 2020Saudi Aramco has secured a regulatory approval for the development of the Jafurah gas field in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Jafurah is the largest unconventional non-associated gas field in the Saudi Arabia, with estimated gas resources of 200 tcf (5,660 bcm) of rich raw gas. Saudi Aramco plans to start production in early 2024 and to ramp it up to around 2.2 bcf/d (62 mcm/d or 22.7 bcm/year) by 2036. Gas will be supplied to the country’s petrochemical and metallic industries. The project will also produce 425 mcf/d (12 mcm/d) of ethane, i.e.
AGL Energy scraps 250 MW pumped-storage hydropower project (Australia)
25 Feb 2020The Australian energy group AGL and mining company Hillgrove Resources have decided to abandon a 250 MW pumped-storage hydropower project at Kanmantoo copper mine in Adelaide Hills, South Australia, due to disagreements on a way forward to progress the project and due to Hillgrove Resources’s plans to continue mining on the site. Announced in April 2019, the project was expected to be commissioned in 2024 and to contribute to balance the highly renewable South Australian power mix.
CIP reaches financial close on 589 MW offshore wind project (Taiwan)
25 Feb 2020The Danish fund management company Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has reached financial close on the construction of the 589 MW Changfang and Xidao offshore wind project off the coast of Changhua County in Taiwan. A consortium of 25 international and local banks and financial institutions are financing the project with a mix of equity and senior loans amounting to TWD90bn (US$3bn). Funders include CIP through its funds Copenhagen Infrastructure I and II, as well as Taiwan Life Insurance and TransGlobe Life Insurance, which bought a 12.5% stake in the project in January 2020.
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