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Producción y mercados energéticos 25/01/19

Latest Energy News

25 January 2019

TOP STORY: French natural gas consumption dropped by 5% to 442 TWh in 2018 According to data issued by the French natural gas transmission network operator (TSO) GRTGaz, the overall gas consumption on its transmission network decreased by 5% in 2018 to 442 TWh (-2% if corrected from climate-related effect). This evolution is explained by higher temperatures and a lower demand for gas-fired power plants. The improved availability of nuclear and hydropower plants, along with a higher wind generation cut gas consumption for power generation by 36% to 35 TWh. The gas demand in the industry sector continued to grow for the fifth year in a row (+2% in 2018), covering 37% of energy demand in industry. In 2018, new industrial sites switched fuel from coal or oil to gas, representing a total volume of nearly 2.5 TWh of consumption. On the supply side, gas pipeline imports slightly decreased (447 TWh), whereas LNG imports reached their highest level since 7 years (+13% in 2018 to 117 TWh). The introduction of the TRF (Trading Region France) single market zone is one of 2018 main highlights and the country has a unified wholesale gas price since last November. France initially had 8 separate market zones in 2003, which were reduced to 5 in 2005, 3 in 2009 and 2 in 2015. With the strengthening of the French gas transmission network and the creation of a single market area, the risks of congestion between the North and South of the country are slated to diminish, thus increasing security of supply across the country. The development of biogas continued throughout 2018 as 76 sites were injecting biomethane into the gas networks in of 2018 (714 GWh, +75%) and an additional 661 projects are in the pipeline.

Companies Utilities Hydro One (Canada) and Avista (US) scrap their merger plans The Canadian electricity transmission and distribution provider Hydro One and its buyout target, the US energy group Avista Corporation, have mutually agreed to call off their previously announced merger agreement. This announcement follows the recent orders issued by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC),… Read more Energy Markets Novatek (Russia) plans to raise its gas production by 10% in 2019 Russian independent oil and gas producer Novatek expects to boost its gas production by 10% and its liquid hydrocarbons production by 2% in 2019. Read more Technology US DoE will invest US$38m in coal-fired power fleet improvement The United States Department of Energy (DoE) has announced a US$38m funding for research and development (R&D) projects enhancing technologies that improve the overall performance and reliability of the domestic coal-fired power plant fleet. The governmental body aims at upgrading the coal fleet under a programme called «Improving Efficiency, Reliability,… Read more Infrastructure & Investments Entergy selects MHPS to provide turbines for 993 MW Montgomery CCGT (US) US power utility Entergy Corporation has selected Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) to provide gas two turbine generation units for the 993 MW Montgomery County CCGT power project in Willis, Texas (United States). The project will also incorporate MHPS TOMONI digital capabilities, which will help it use cloud-based big data analytics and machine learning. Read more Total Eren secures loans for 250 MW Syvash wind project (Ukraine) The French independent renewable power producer (IPP) Total Eren and the Norwegian wind park developer NBT have signed financing agreements for the initial 133 MW phase of the 250 MW Syvash wind power project in the Kherson region of Ukraine. The agreements entail loans worth €155m (US$176m),… Read more Innogy may sell its stake in 1.2 GW Sofia offshore wind project (UK) German power company Innogy is considering selling a stake in its 1,200 MW Sofia offshore wind project (previously known as Teesside B), which is being developed 65 km off the coast of the North East of England (United Kingdom). The group will submit the project through the next Contract for Difference (CfD) auction in May 2019 and then hopes for potentially bringing in a partner. Read more Brazil seeks private investors for Angra-3 nuclear reactor project The Brazilian government aims at resuming the construction of the 1,245 MWe (1,405 MWe gross) Angra-3 nuclear reactor project in Angra dos Reis (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), which has been halted since 2015. It expects to complete the construction of the unit by 2026 with the help of private investment. Read more