Energy
EU hits 80% gas storage target early despite Russian cut offs
The EU has hit its target to fill gas storage to at least 80% “well ahead” of the November deadline, despite continued disruptions to the gas supply from Russia, EU energy chief Kadri Simson announced on Wednesday (31 August).
A future-proof design for Europe’s electricity market
The electricity market is already naturally split between fossil generators whose prices are largely determined by fuel costs and generators running on renewables or nuclear fuel which are capital intensive but have near-zero marginal cost. Splitting the two markets would be easy and immediately cut consumer electricity bills in half, argues Mike Parr.
EU’s Baltic Sea countries agree offshore wind power capacity boost
Eight European Union countries bordering the Baltic Sea agreed on Tuesday (30 August) to increase offshore wind power generation capacity sevenfold – to 20 gigawatts by 2030 – in order to decrease dependency on Russian energy.
EU’s von der Leyen rebuffs Polish call to suspend carbon market
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday (30 August) rebuffed a call by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to temporarily suspend the EU's Emission Trading System (ETS) in order to stabilise power prices.
Italy’s feted building renovation ‘Superbonus’ comes under scrutiny
Ahead of the Italian elections on 25 September, the Five Star Movement led by Giuseppe Conte proposes stabilising the ‘Superbonus’ scheme for building renovation, while others, including outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi, sound the alarm over potential fraud.
Pro-nuclear French becoming less reluctant about renewables, survey finds
The French, long seen as fervent supporters of nuclear power, now appear to also favour renewable energies, according to a new survey which gives the government a welcome boost as it prepares a new law to accelerate energy infrastructure projects.
Gazprom tightens gas squeeze on France’s Engie, threatens full supply cut
Russia's Gazprom will reduce gas deliveries to Engie from Tuesday (30 August) in a dispute over contracts, the French utility said, deepening winter energy supply concerns.
EU plans ’emergency intervention’ to halt energy price rise
The European Union is preparing to take emergency action to reform its electricity market and get a grip on energy prices that have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine, senior officials said Monday (29 August).
Germany says gas stocks rising quicker than expected
Germany is replenishing its gas stocks more quickly than expected despite drastic Russian supply cuts and should meet an October target early, the government said Sunday (28 August).
Berlin, Brussels join calls for ‘fundamental reform’ of EU power market
The German government on Friday (26 August) said it was looking at decoupling gas and electricity markets as a way to curb rising power prices in Europe, a call later joined on Sunday by Brussels and Vienna.
France keeps blocking MidCat gas interconnection with Spain
Spain, Portugal and Germany have revived talks on the MidCat gas pipeline project linking the Iberian Peninsula with France, but Paris remains reluctant, calling the future of the project into question.
Spain’s parliament approves energy saving plan
Spain's parliament on Thursday (25 August) approved the minority government's energy-saving rules which include limits on air-conditioning use as part of an EU-wide effort to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
Berlin’s transport sector emergency plan fails to pass muster
Germany’s emergency plan to get the building and transport sectors on track for climate neutrality failed to achieve their targets, according to the country's expert-led Climate Council.
Italian elections: energy and climate promises galore
From the country's first-ever nuclear programme to 100% renewable electricity, EURACTIV looks at the energy and climate promises of the political parties ahead of the Italian election, scheduled on 25 September.
Czechs mull using EU presidency to call summit over energy prices
Czechia, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency, is considering whether to call an emergency energy summit for the bloc to tackle soaring energy prices, including discussing price caps, a government minister said on Wednesday (24 August).
Italy’s Draghi calls for EU price cap on Russian gas
European Union countries should agree a cap on the price of gas imported from Russia to help ease the burden of rising prices on businesses and households, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday (24 August).
COP27: Converging climate and energy agendas for global stability
The war in Ukraine has shown the interdependence of climate and energy agendas. With the annual climate conference (COP27) taking place in Africa this coming November, an opportunity is created to build climate-energy bridges between the Global North and the Global South, writes Johan van den Berg.
Nord Stream turbine tension puts focus on Russian equipment deficit
Tension over giant turbines that Moscow blames for the reduction of flows via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline has put the focus on the equipment it needs to operate - and to the fact that Russia doesn't produce it.
Sanctions-hit Russia sending fuel oil to Asia, loadings at Greek terminal increasing
Under pressure from Western sanctions, Russia is exporting more fuel oil to Asia and using ship-to-ship transfers to build larger cargoes for distant markets, according to traders and Refinitiv data.
German government approves 2% gas savings plan
Faced with possible gas shortages as supplies from Russia dwindle, the German government has agreed on a saving plan to cut gas use by around 2% by reducing heating in public buildings and shutting off the lights at night.
Macron’s visit to Algeria seen as a ‘veiled’ gas trip
French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Algeria will hope to smooth out rocky relations between the two countries, but there is no doubt that it is also an opportunity to secure additional gas supplies amid the ongoing crisis.
Germany split over EU’s suggested electricity market reform
The EU's Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has recommended splitting up Germany’s single electricity bidding zone in a move that prompted concern in the country's south, where prices are kept artificially low.
Ukraine is ready to support the reinvention of European energy security
Ukraine has the largest gas reserves in Europe after Norway and is ready to play its part in the continent’s energy security by providing electricity derived from gas, wind power and hi-tech modular nuclear reactors, writes Maxim Timchenko.