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Producción y mercados energéticos 30/01/19

Latest Energy News

30 January 2019

TOP STORY: US energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 2.8% in 2018 According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), domestic energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 2.8% in 2018. This is the largest increase in energy-related CO2 emissions since 2010. Domestic emissions from natural gas, which increased by nearly 10%, drove the overall growth in 2018, although emissions from oil, mainly used in the transport sector, account for the largest share of total energy-related CO2 emissions. The US EIA also estimates that the total US energy consumption in 2018 is 0..4% below the record set in 2007. This figure is largely attributable to weather changes, as the temperature patterns led to record levels of electricity and natural gas consumption throughout the year: the US population-weighted cooling degree days (CDDs) reached a new record in 2018, while the recorded heating degree days (HDDs) were the highest since 2014. Energy-related CO2 emissions are predicted to dwindle in both 2019 and 2020, due to milder weather in both winter (less HDDs) and summer (less CDDs). They would remain higher than in 2017.

Companies Californian power utility PG&E files for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 (US) Californian energy utility Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has filed for reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (United States). The firm faces liabilities (estimated at more than US$30bn) in connection with wildfires occurring in Northern California in 2017 and 2018. Read more Sempra Energy will sell stakes in power distributors in Peru and Chile US-based gas and power utility Sempra Energy has initiated the process to sell its equity interests in its South American businesses and in particular in the Peruvian and Chilean distributors of electricity Luz del Sur and Chilquinta Energía. Sempra Energy expects the planned divestment processes to be completed by the end of 2019. From now on,… Read more Fortis sells 51% stake in 335 MW Waneta hydropower plant (Canada) Canadian regulated electric and gas utility Fortis has announced plans to sells its 51% stake in the 335 MW Waneta Expansion hydropower plant in British Columbia (Canada) for approximately CAD1bn (US$754m) to Columbia Power Corporation (CPC) and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), which are both 100% public-run and owned by the Government of British Columbia. Read more Policy & Regulatory Saudi Arabia starts new tender for 1.5 GW solar power projects The Saudi Arabian Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) has issued the expressions of interest (EoI) for the development and construction of seven solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a combined capacity of 1,515 MW. The tender will be part of the Round 2 of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), which is expected to allocate almost 2.2 GW of solar PV capacity for 2019. Read more Algeria plans to launch tenders to reach 22 GW of solar capacity by 2030 The Algerian government plans to launch several tenders for renewable energy projects in 2019 and 2020. Bidders will be invited in 2019 to set up a solar plant with a capacity of 150 MW and tenders for about 2,000 MW of solar capacity will be launched before the end of 2020. Read more The Netherlands is lagging behind on climate goals According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), the country is lagging behind on its current climate objectives set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Despite the 2015 climate ruling by the District Court of The Hague, which ordered to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, CO2 emissions are estimated to be only 21% lower. In addition,… Read more Infrastructure & Investments Qatar government has outlined plans to order 60 new LNG carriers The Ministry of Energy and Industry of Qatar has announced plans to order 60 new LNG carriers (LNGCs), which are likely to be built by South Korean shipbuilders. This order confirms the country’s plans to strengthen its leading position on the global market. However, financial details of the plan were not disclosed. Read more Czech government reiterates stance regarding CEZ nuclear expansion plans The Czech Industry and Trade Ministry estimates that the state-run power conglomerate ČEZ Group should be the investor in the construction of new nuclear units. The decision on building new nuclear power plants is controversial as CEZ does not want to invest into them without additional financial support from the European Union (EU) or the state. Read more