Latest Energy News
Policy & Regulatory
Switzerland will liberalise its power market in early 2021
7 Apr 2020Switzerland will go ahead with plans to open the electricity market for all customers, with the introduction of an amendment to the Electricity Supply Law (loi sur l’approvisionnement en électricité, LApEl) by early 2021. So far, only large consumers (more than 100,000 kWh/year) can freely choose their electricity supplier. Households and small businesses will be authorised to remain in the basic supply or to return to it after moving to the free market.
Read moreSaudi Arabia shortlists bidders for 1,400 MW of solar capacity at US$1.6-1.8c/kWh
7 Apr 2020The Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia has shortlisted bidders for the Round Two of its National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) that is offering nearly 1.5 GW of solar PV capacity to be developed by independent power producers (IPP). For the Round Two Category A including the 50 MW Madinah PV project and the 20 MW Rafha PV projects, two consortia were shortlisted, one led by Al Blagha Holding and one led by First Solar. Bid prices ranged between SAR7.27c/kWh (US$1.94c/kWh) and SAR19.04c/kWh (US$5.08c/kWh).
Read moreRussia adopts a new energy strategy until 2035
6 Apr 2020The Russian government has approved a new draft energy strategy until 2035, which seeks to maximise the contribution of the hydrocarbon industry to the development of Russia and to strengthen the country’s position in the global energy sector. Russia aims to develop and diversify its energy exports, modernise and develop its infrastructure, achieve technological independence and boost the competitiveness of the fuel and energy sectors.
Read moreThe US DoE will lease space for 30 mbl of oil in emergency reserve
6 Apr 2020The US Department of Energy (DoE) has decided to make 30 mbl of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve’s (SPR’s) oil storage capacity available to US oil producers that are negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the oil price war. The first crude oil deliveries are expected to arrive in late April or early May 2020, and the SPR will be receiving up to 685,000 bbl/d. The available capacity will be increased by 47 mbl at a later stage.
Read moreEnergy & Climate Markets
South Pars gas production reached 700 mcm/d in 2019-2020 (Iran)
7 Apr 2020According to the Pars Oil and Gas Company, Iran’s South Pars field produced more than 700 mcm/d over the year 2019-2020 (21 March 2019-20 March 2020). The South Pars / North Dome gas field is the largest in the world and is shared between Iran and Qatar. Its development on the Iranian side is divided into about 24 phases in the first stage, 23 of which are active now. Phases 1-10 are intended for domestic consumption and injection into Iranian oil fields, while gas from the other phases should be exported.
Read moreKuwait plans to increase its oil output to 3.15 mb/d in April 2020
7 Apr 2020The government of Kuwait plans to increase its oil production in April 2020, with an objective of 3.15 mb/d, up from an average production 2.69 mb/d in 2019 (2.74 mb/d in 2018). The increase in supply will come from the Wafra field, located in the neutral zone shared with Saudi Arabia.
Read moreRenewables covered 52% of German power mix in Q1 2020 (45% in Spain)
7 Apr 2020According to the German Federal Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW), electricity consumption in Germany dipped by 2% in the first quarter of 2020 (compared to the same period of 2019), while total power generation declined by nearly 7% year-on-year.
Read moreForecasts
New Zealand may reach 6.5 GW of wind and 6 GW of solar by 2050
7 Apr 2020According to the New Zealand’s power transmission network operator Transpower, the share of renewable electricity could raise from around 83% in 2018 (59% hydropower and 18% geothermal) to 95% in 2035 and 100% by 2050. The country will have to source nearly 60% of its total energy requirements from electricity in 2050 (up from 25% in 2016) to meet its climate change commitments.
Read moreInfrastructure & Investments
Innogy takes final investment decision for 342 MW offshore wind project (Germany)
7 Apr 2020The German energy group RWE’s renewable affiliate Innogy has made a final investment decision (FID) on the 342 MW Kaskasi offshore wind project, located 56 km north of the German island of Heligoland. The project will include 38 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy wind turbines rated nearly 9 MW each. Innogy has already signed contracts worth more than €500m for the project. Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2021, and the project is scheduled for commissioning in the summer of 2022.
Read moreNew Egypt-Sudan 60 MW power transmission line begins operations
7 Apr 2020According to the Egyptian government, a 220 kV transmission line connecting Egypt to Sudan has started operation. The line is 170 km long, with 100 km on the Egyptian side and 70 km on the Sudanese side. The construction of the grid was completed in April 2019. The power line will initially have a capacity of 60 MW and will reach 300 MW in the future.
Read more
No Comment