US Senators ask Energy Secretary to comply with law regarding clean energy grants and loans
U.S. Democratic Senators on Wednesday called for Energy Secretary Chris Wright's department to comply with laws that mandate his funding of clean energy projects, which were included in laws passed prior to Donald Trump becoming president. This includes four hydrogen hubs. Wright's Department is considering funding cuts for four of seven hubs that are part of a $7 billion project to decarbonize America's economy. The program is a part of Joe Biden's efforts to do so. The hubs aim to boost the production of clean hydrogen and infrastructure required to deliver it to steelmakers and cement plants…
Mexico's budget draft shows that the government expects economic growth of at least 1.5% by 2025.
The Mexican government expects the economy to grow between 1.5% and 2.3 % this year. This is down from an earlier estimate of 2.0% - 3.0%. Mexico's economy is expected to enter a recession, but the growth forecast by the finance ministry is more optimistic than the estimates of the private sector or the central bank. The Finance Ministry forecasts economic growth between 1.5% and 2.5 % in 2026. Latin America's No. The economy of Latin America's No. 2 was hit by a deterioration in investor confidence in recent months, U.S. Tariff threats, and a prolonged dry spell.
Trump tariffs stymie M&As and IPOs during what was expected to be a record-breaking quarter
The global trade war started by U.S. president Donald Trump, and the subsequent market turmoil, has shattered bankers' expectations for a strong start to Wall Street deals in 2018. Dealogic data for the first quarter showed that mergers and purchases volume increased 12.6% from the year-ago period to $984.38 Billion. The Asia Pacific region was largely responsible for this, where three state-run deals announced on Sunday by China and a port deal driven by Trump nearly doubled the M&A volume compared to last year. Worldwide, banks are reducing deals and revenue. The first quarter volume in the U.S.
M&A revenues fall as Trump pursues his tariffs. Global deal activity is disappointing
The global trade war started by U.S. president Donald Trump, and the subsequent market turmoil, has shattered bankers' expectations for a strong start to Wall Street deals in 2018. Dealogic data for the first quarter showed that mergers and purchases volume increased 12.6% from the year-ago period to $984.38 Billion. The Asia Pacific region was largely responsible for this, where three state-run deals announced on Sunday by China and a port deal driven by Trump nearly doubled the M&A volume compared to last year. Worldwide, banks are reducing deals and revenue. The first quarter volume in the U.S.
Sources say that the White House is considering an executive order to speed up deep-sea mines.
Two sources who are directly involved in the White House's deliberations say that they are considering an executive order which would expedite permits for deep sea mining in international waters. This would allow mining companies to bypass a United Nations review process. The order, if signed, would be the latest effort by U.S. president Donald Trump to tap into international deposits of nickel and copper, and other essential minerals that are widely used across the economy, after recent efforts made in Greenland, and Ukraine.
Washington has revoked Repsol's license to operate in Venezuela
A company spokesperson announced on Monday that U.S. officials had notified Repsol of the revocation of its license to import oil from Venezuela. Meanwhile, Spain's Foreign Minister promised to protect Repsol's interest. The spokesperson for President Donald Trump said that the administration of Repsol told the company it had until the 27th of May to end its operations in South America. The U.S. government informed Italian companies that they were no longer authorized to operate in Venezuela.
Alaska Governor briefs Trump on Asia Gas Push as Tariffs Bite
Alaska's Governor said that he would brief U.S. president Donald Trump's Administration after returning from Japan in the next week about progress made to secure Asian support for a project to develop natural gas, which has been part of a larger discussion on tariffs and trade. Governor Mike Dunleavy and the leaders of the state-run Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and Glenfarne Group visited Taiwan, Thailand and Japan to seek investors and long-term purchasers for a Trump-inspired project. The visit of the Alaskan delegation coincided with a renewed pressure on trade from Washington.
TotalEnergies warns that indirect emissions may increase as the company aims to sell gas
TotalEnergies, a French energy company, said in its sustainability report on Thursday that plans to sell more gas in the coming years would increase indirect CO2 emissions. TotalEnergies said that global emissions will also fall as a result of its clients moving away from dirty fuels. In 2024, the French oil giant emitted 376 millions metric tons CO2-equivalent. Of this, 342 million tons was indirect emissions so-called Scope 3, which comes from clients burning fuels purchased. This is a slight decrease from the 386 tons CO2-equivalent that was produced in 2023.
Australia pours billions into missile procurement amidst global shortages
Australia's plans for developing its own missile component capability will likely be slowed by the Ukraine war and increased European defense spending, even though it is pushing ahead with a multi-billion dollar effort to purchase long-range attack missiles. Last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed A$74 billion (46.68 billion dollars) for missile acquisition. This included A$21 billion towards the establishment of a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise. His Labor government had reshaped Australia's defence policy to counter China's military buildup.
Can Trump's drive for critical minerals pass the test of copper? Andy Home
The executive order issued by U.S. president Donald Trump on increasing domestic mineral production is designed to cut through the mine permit maze in the United States. According to S&P Global, it takes on average nearly 29 years to bring a new mine from discovery to production. This is the second longest lead time in the entire world, after Zambia. The U.S. Government is uniquely qualified to address the problem of granting permits on federal land. The Joe Biden administration had a…
Nigeria’s Refining Revolution is Reshaping West Africa’s Energy Landscape
The launch of the Dangote Refinery near the Port of Lagos presents an exciting opportunity to transform the energy and shipping markets in West Africa. And it stands to boost Nigeria’s role as an influential player in the global oil industry, fostering economic growth and regional development.Nigeria’s standing in the global energy landscape is getting a boost with domestic refining capacity expanding in 2025. The Dangote Refinery near Lagos presents a transformative opportunity for Nigeria’s…
IRENA: Global renewable energy capacity still falls short of target despite record growth in last year
The International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) report on Wednesday showed that the global renewable energy capacity grew at a record rate in 2024, but still fell short of the 2030 target. Renewables will account for 92.5% (or 585 GW) of the new energy capacity in 2024, a record growth rate of 15.1%. This brings total renewables to 4,448 gigawatts. The progress is still below the 11,2 terawatts required to meet the Paris Climate Agreement and the global goal that renewable energy installations will triple by 2030. This requires an annual growth rate 16.6%.
Siemens CFO: Political uncertainties are affecting customer decisions
Ralf Thomas, chief financial officer at Siemens, said that customers are hesitant to buy Siemens products due to the political uncertainty. However, he doesn't expect this situation to continue. Thomas stated that companies are delaying investment decisions because they are worried about tariffs, and whether ESG (environmental, social, and governance) risks will still be important after President Donald Trump's attacks. He added: "We are seeing this in many places at the moment. Thomas added that Siemens still believed the long-term demand was "ok" for its products…
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners closes third offshore wind project with Taiwan
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, a clean energy fund manager, announced on Wednesday that it had reached financial closure on its 495 Megawatt (MW), Fengmiao I Wind Project, located off the coast Taichung in Taiwan. CIP announced that Fengmiao 1, its third offshore wind farm in Taiwan, would be built by local and international suppliers with proven track records. CIP reports that Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will provide 33 units of their latest 15MW turbines for Fengmiao I. Vestas supplies turbines to CIP’s two existing projects.
Glencore approached Li-Cycle battery recycler for possible deal
As part of its proposal to address operational and financial problems, Glencore (listed on the London Stock Exchange) has offered to buy Canadian lithium battery recycling firm Li-Cycle. In a March 14 letter to the board chair, Glencore stated that it wanted to begin discussions as soon as possible with Li-Cycle and the other shareholders of the company regarding the potential deal. Li-Cycle’s debt, held by Glencore, is convertible into approximately 84 million shares of the recycling company.
Mexican tycoon Slim targets two of Pemex’s key fields to gain clout within the energy sector
Sources familiar with the matter say that the Mexican state energy company Pemex has been in contact with Carlos Slim, and the billionaire could be asked to help fund two of the most promising crude oil fields and natural gas deposits in the country. These negotiations, which were not previously reported, show Slim's increasing influence in Mexico's energy sector. His business empire, which includes telecommunications and banking, retail, insurance, and hospitality, is expanding. Slim…
State media report that US and Vietnamese firms have signed a deal on energy and minerals.
State media and one of these firms reported on Friday that Vietnamese and American firms had signed a number of deals on minerals and energy during the visit to the United States of Vietnam's Trade Minister. State-owned PetroVietnam Power said that Vietnamese firms are in discussions with U.S. companies to buy American crude and LNG. The company is a party to one of these deals, and executives from the firm will accompany the minister to the United States. Vietnamese Trade Minister Nguyenhong Dien is currently in the United States for trade talks.
Vietnam's PM announces that Vietnam will review duties on US LNG and high-tech products
A report on the website of the government said that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had told the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam that Vietnam was reviewing its duties against U.S. products. This includes liquefied gas, agricultural and high-tech goods. Southeast Asia's industrial hub, which relies heavily on exports to America and enjoys a large surplus in trade with Washington, is scrambling for ways to avoid the reciprocal tariffs the Trump administration has threatened to impose globally to reduce America’s trade deficit.
USTDA: US to invest in energy projects abroad to boost exports
Thomas Hardy (Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, USTDA) said that the U.S. Government is interested in investing in energy projects across Africa, Latin America and Asia, which could lead to increased U.S. exports. He said that the USTDA met with government and energy company representatives in Latin America and Africa, as well as in the Indo-Pacific region, to identify investment opportunities in order to promote U.S. businesses and create jobs. Hardy stated that the USTDA was subject to the Agency Pause and Review by the Department of Government Efficiency…
Enel CEO: Italy's Enel wants to buy back shares as a way to reward shareholders
Enel, one of Europe's largest utilities, may offer a share repurchase to reward investors. The chief executive said this on Thursday following the presentation of 2024 results. Last year, the group reduced its net debt from 2.7 times its core earnings in 2023 to 2.4 in 2018 thanks to a comprehensive asset disposal program that began in late 2022. Renewable power generation boosted EBITDA to 22.8 billion euro, in line with the analyst consensus. Enel CEO Flavio Cattaneo responded to analysts'…
