Energy
Academic: We are probably entering a long period of high gas prices
With Russia’s war in Ukraine, the European Union is probably entering a long period of high gas prices, warns Ilaria Conti, saying the EU should use the crisis to mandate a storage obligation on EU member states and push for higher targets on renewable energy.
Slovakia to develop geothermal energy to lower Russian energy dependency
Efforts to lower dependence on Russian energy is speeding up local geothermal projects in Slovakia that had been gaining traction before the invasion of Ukraine. The pilot project of a geothermal power plant in Central Slovak town Žiar nad Hronom...
Idea of carbon price ‘corridor’ resurfaces in France
The recent surge in CO2 prices on the EU carbon market has revived the idea of introducing a "price corridor", with a maximum and a minimum, in order to ensure greater market stability. EURACTIV France reports.
To get rid of Russian fossil fuels, the EU needs to put energy savings first
The biggest potential for massive energy savings lies in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. But to be effective, measures must be accompanied by a strong EU policy and regulatory framework, write Monica Frassoni and Harry Verhaar.
Berlin inches closer to expropriating Gazprom assets
Following the Russian announcement of sanctions against 31 European utilities, including Gazprom Germania, the German government is inching closer to expropriating the German Gazprom subsidiary and related assets.
Germany may be able to withstand winter without Russian gas, Habeck says
Germany may be able to cope with a boycott of Russian gas imports as soon as the coming winter, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told WirtschaftsWoche weekly on Thursday (12 May).
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
Romania to ease Black Sea gas extraction conditions
Romanian senators on Wednesday (11 May) passed a bill the government hopes will encourage gas extraction in the Black Sea as the European Union looks to reduce its dependency on Russian gas.
‘Politically-driven’ EU carbon market needs more transparency, analysts agree
The European Union’s flagship climate policy instrument, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), needs more monitoring and transparency in order to prevent “speculation about speculation” and restore political confidence in the market, analysts have said.
Russia puts sanctions on Gazprom subsidiaries in Europe
Moscow has imposed sanctions on 31 companies, including the owner of the Polish part of the Yamal pipeline, as well as the former German unit of the Russian gas producer Gazprom, whose subsidiaries service Europe's gas consumption.
German government agrees on law to speed up LNG terminal construction
The German government has submitted a legislative proposal to speed up the permitting process and construction of onshore and floating liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals, as well as the necessary pipelines to connect them to the grid.
Ukraine to halt key Russian gas transit to Europe, use alternative
Ukraine said on 10 May it would suspend the flow of gas through a transit point which delivers almost a third of the fuel piped from Russia to Europe through Ukraine, blaming Moscow for the development.
Why the EU must see through Spain’s claim to be an energy island
Spain's claim to be an 'energy island' is misleading and the EU should reject calls for an Iberian exemption, say Oscar Arnedillo and Jorge Sanz.
EU considers more cash for eastern states in bid for deal on Russia oil ban
The European Commission is considering offering landlocked eastern European Union states more money to upgrade oil infrastructure in a bid to convince them to agree to an embargo on Russian oil, an EU source said on Monday (9 May).
Analyst: Price collar would preserve ‘political stability’ of EU carbon market
Some form of price regulation, like a price collar or position limits on market players, could address worries about high prices on the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and help prevent "a political backlash", climate and energy expert Michael Pahle told EURACTIV in an interview.
Germany to take over critical companies in case of abrupt end to Russian gas
German officials are quietly preparing for any sudden halt in Russian gas supplies with an emergency package that could include taking control of critical firms, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
G7 countries pledge to stop Russia oil imports
The G7 club of wealthy nations committed Sunday (8 May) to phasing out its dependency on Russian oil and issued a scathing statement accusing President Vladimir Putin of bringing "shame" on Russia with his invasion of Ukraine.
EU tweaks Russia oil sanctions plan in bid to win over reluctant states
The European Commission has proposed changes to its planned embargo on Russian oil to give Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic more time to prepare for the shift in their energy supplies, three EU sources said on Friday (6 May).
How demand-side measures can ensure energy security in the EU
The EU can coordinate the efforts of member states in order to prepare for a ban on Russian gas and oil imports, write Jonathan Barth and Christoph Gran.
EU electrolyser industry commits to boost manufacturing capacity tenfold by 2025
Electrolyser manufacturers in Europe committed on Thursday (5 May) to increase their manufacturing capacity tenfold – to 17.5 GW per year by 2025 – as part of a joint declaration with the European Commission in Brussels.
Germany ready to help landlocked EU states access LNG, Scholz says
Germany will show solidarity with European Union countries seeking alternatives to Russian gas and oil, for example helping eastern states without ports in the North or Baltic Seas access liquefied natural gas (LNG), Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday (5 May).
Bulgaria and Greece plan joint gas deliveries for southeast Europe
Bulgaria and Greece agreed to seek joint gas deliveries for southeastern Europe and decrease its reliance on Russian gas amid the war in Ukraine, Bulgarian Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said on Thursday (5 May).
Meddling with EU carbon market could have ‘unintended consequences’, MEP says
A leading European Parliament lawmaker has warned against the potential “unintended consequences” of intervening in the EU carbon market, amid growing calls from some governments and industries to curb the activity of financial actors taking speculative positions in the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS).