Energy_sector
Another green bubble is deflating in biofuels
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The biofuel sector is battling cost overruns, engineering shortcomings, and a glut of biofuels. They are up to six times as expensive as fossil fuels. The oversupply in China has depressed prices elsewhere. Many biofuel companies have already declared bankruptcy. Demand for biofuels remains low, while oil consumption is rising.
Chinese solar sector’s recovery unlikely as glut persists
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Chinese solar industry is grappling with a deepening glut after production outstripped demand in recent years. Major firms reported losses as they were forced to sell below costs. An oversupply of products is unlikely to ease for up to two years. Fierce competition at home has pushed many Chinese solar companies to seek higher premiums overseas.
Giorgia Meloni puts brakes on Italy’s solar energy rollout
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A government decree will require installations of at least 2.1 metres above ground on land zoned for agriculture, to allow cultivation underneath. This will be 20-40% more expensive than normal ground-mounted installations. The decree also bars farmers from leasing their land to solar developers and instead requires them to invest in projects themselves.
Poland’s first nuclear power plant: geological surveys begin
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In May 2023, the contract for the power station was signed with the US consortium Westinghouse-Bechtel. The capacity of the three reactors will be 3750 MWe. Geological surveys are expected to last until the end of the year. The commissioning of the first unit is planned for 2040. By 2045, nuclear will account for 20% of Poland's electricity generation.
America’s wind power production drops for the first time
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US wind power slipped in 2023 due to weaker-than-normal Midwest breezes despite the 6.2 GW added capacity, showing the challenge of integrating volatile renewable energy sources into the grid. The capacity factor for the country’s wind fleet (how much energy it’s generating versus its nominally possible output) declined to an eight-year low of 33.5%.
Enel forced to raise coupons on $11 billion of ESG bonds
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Sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) impose penalties on borrowers when they fail green goals, but they don't need to invest the money into green projects. Enel missed its 2023 GHG emissions target and will pay €83 mln more on the €10 bln worth of SLBs. It’s the most significant penalty yet in a market whose first bond was issued by Enel in 2019.
World’s biggest floating offshore wind farm gets go-ahead
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The project called “Green Volt” off the coast of Scotland will include 35 floating turbines with the nominal output of 560 MW and will provide electricity primarily to offshore oil and gas platforms. The project owners are Flotation Energy and Vargronn. The current biggest development, off the coast of Norway, has only 11 turbines and 88 MW nominal output.
New York not moving forward with offshore wind farms
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New York State ended talks with developers for three offshore wind power projects after GE Vernova offered smaller turbines, because its 18 MW units are not available. Authorities said this "materially altered" the plans. Supply chain problems and rising interest rates are forcing project cancellations and billions in writedowns by developers.
Europe restarts magnesium mining to end reliance on China
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US-backed company Verde will invest $1 bln in a disused Romanian mine and new processing facilities. It intends to start production in2027 and reach 90,000 tonnes a year, half of EU's needs and 9% of global production. Over 90% of EU’s magnesium (crucial for making lightweight aluminium alloys used in cars and packaging) is imported from China.
Keeping on standby German coal plants is too costly
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During Europe’s energy crisis, Steag was asked to bring five of its coal-fired power stations back online and the Federal Network Agency now wants them to remain on standby until 2031 to help keep the lights on. Steag can claim reimbursements from the grid operator, but cannot sell the electricity on the market. This is not economically viable.
Scientists inch towards holy grail of fusion reactors
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In 2021, Us scientists produced more energy from fusion than the reaction consumed. A third of 39 fusion companies said commercial viability would be demonstrated between 2031 and 2035. One obstacle will be the lack of readiness in supply chains to provide the engineering, materials, and expertise required to roll out a fusion solution at scale.
Wind energy in Europe: 2022 statistics and the outlook
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The EU installed 16 GW of new wind capacity in 2022, but should be building over 30 GW a year to meet its own 2030 targets. It is expected to install 98 GW by 2027. 75% of that will be onshore, while the UK is leading in offshore wind installations. Wind energy generation in Europe has increased from 370 TWh in 2018 to 489 TWh in 2022.
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