Thursday, May 1, 2025

Belgium News

JERA, Japan's LNG supplier, may look at Alaska, says exec

JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, could consider Alaska as a possible source of liquefied gas (LNG), according to an executive on Monday. Japanese officials will be heading to the United States for another round in tariff negotiations this week. Alaska LNG, which is a $44 billion project that includes a pipeline, an LNG plant and other components, has been at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s agenda when dealing with Asian partners.

Local media report that Argentina's YPF has ruled out building a land-based LNG facility

YPF, Argentina's state-run energy company, has ruled out the construction of an onshore liquefaction facility for natural gas. Instead, it will rely on floating vessels to carry out this process. Horacio Marina, CEO of Rio Negro LNG, said in an interview that there will be no onshore plants and the three phases of its plan to export LNG will be done by ship. Marin explained that the timeframes are shorter than for a land-based facility…

Spot prices drop on rising renewable supply

The French spot electricity price for Thursday dropped on Wednesday, as the renewable energy supply was expected to increase and demand to fall in most countries of central Western Europe. French baseload electricity for Thursday fell 10.6% to 81.35 Euros ($89.66 per megawatt-hour (MWh) at 0836 GMT. The French equivalent contract was 36.5% cheaper at 26.25 Euros/MWh. In Germany, residual load is expected decrease on Thursday due to an increase in renewable supply.

French court halts onshore wind project

Court documents revealed on Friday that a project to build an onshore windfarm in the north-east of France had its licenses revoked due to "visual saturation". The Mont des Quatre Faux project, a 226 megawatt onshore wind farm in Belgium and France, was developed by the French power company EDF Renewables with the Belgian renewables firm Renner. Website for the project shows that investment costs were estimated at over 250 million euros (276 million dollars).

Belgium's king meets Vietnam's leaders, hydrogen deals signed

On Tuesday, King Philippe of Belgium and Vietnamese leaders signed agreements to collaborate in areas such as green hydrogen. The first visit by a Belgian royal to Vietnam is accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen, academics and politicians. According to Vietnamese state-run media, Vietnam's president Luong Cuong described Philippe's visit as a landmark in bilateral relations.

Prices for EUROPE GAS remain stable despite the latest Sudzha gas stations attack

The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were mostly unchanged on Friday, as the recent attacks on a Russian supply point were offset by an improved outlook for supply-demand as winter comes to an end. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract rose 0.17 euro to 41.17 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $12.99/mmBtu by 1104 GMT. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was down by 0.10 euros at 40.90 Euro/MWh.

EUROPE GAS - Prices stable but weather and low storage could support.

The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were mostly stable on Friday morning, despite the mild weather. However, a forecast for a cooler climate next week as well as the need to replenish storages in the coming months will continue to support the price. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract rose 0.10 euros to 41.10 Euro per megawatt hour or 12.98/mmBtu at 0914GMT. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was down 0.50 euros at 40.50 Euro/MWh.

On Monday, expect a higher renewable output

The German and French power prices for the following Monday were not traded on Friday, but it was expected that a rise in wind and solar supplies throughout the region would have a negative effect on prices. LSEG data revealed that the German Monday baseload contract had a range of bids and asks between 99 euros to 103.25 euro per megawatt-hour (MWh) as of 0953 GMT. This was below the Friday closing price at 124.50 Euro.

Aurora increases its European battery capacity 2050 forecasts by 30%

Aurora Energy Research increased its forecast of 2050 battery storage in Europe by nearly 30%, to 128 gigawatts. It highlighted Italy as the most appealing market for investors. The demand for battery storage is driven by the desire to counter the intermittent nature that wind and solar have taken on, which now makes up about a third or more of Europe's total energy mix. As countries strive to reduce emissions and achieve climate targets…

Data shows that Portovaya, Kryogaz-Vysotsk and other Russian LNG exporters have stopped LNG exports due to sanctions.

LSEG data on Thursday showed that two small-scale Russian LNG producers located along the Baltic Sea shores, Portovaya LNG, and Kryogaz Vysotsk have stopped LNG deliveries. This is due to the U.S. sanctions. Washington introduced new sanctions last month against Russia for the conflict in Ukraine. These included the two nuclear plants. There was a grace period up until the 27th of February.

Colombia's first auction of offshore wind energy attracts global interest

The National Hydrocarbons Agency of Colombia (ANH), a South American agency, announced on Thursday that companies from all over the world had proposed developing 69 offshore areas for the country's first offshore energy auction. The auction represents a major step towards President Gustavo Petro’s goal to diversify the energy sector, and reduce dependence on coal and oil. Companies from Belgium…

Air Liquide and TotalEnergies invest over 1 billion Euros in green hydrogen projects

Air Liquide, a French industrial gas company, announced on Tuesday a joint venture with TotalEnergies, a French oil giant. The two companies will develop in the Netherlands two large-scale low-carbon hydrogen plants. Air Liquide said in a press release that the two projects represented a combined investment totaling more than 1 billion euro ($1.05 billion). TotalEnergies wind farms will supply the first project in Rotterdam. It is expected to start operation by the end of 2027.

Spot contracts are affected by the increase in wind power supply

European spot prices on Tuesday fell by a significant amount on Monday. The average wind output is expected to double across the region. LSEG data shows that the German day-ahead electricity price was 114.50 Euro per Megawatt Per Hour (MWh) as of 1029 GMT. This is down 36.4% compared to Friday's rate for Monday. LSEG data shows that the French baseload electricity for Tuesday was 144 euros/MWh. Friday, the contract for delivery on Monday was not traded.

Prices of Euro GAS are falling due to profit-taking

On Tuesday morning, Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas fell slightly after a rise of around 7% the previous day. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down 0.40 euros at 47.85 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $14.38 /mmbtu by 0923 GMT. The Dutch March contract is down by 0.98 Euros at 47.62 euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain fell by 1,03 pence, to 122 pence/therm.

Data shows that LNG vessels are due to load at sanctioned Russian Terminals and head for Europe and Asia

Shiptracking data revealed on Tuesday that the LNG vessels scheduled to load at two recently sanctioned Russian export facilities are expected to deliver their cargo mainly to Europe, but also to Asia. The U.S. imposed the most extensive sanctions to date on Friday, targeting Russia's oil revenues and gas revenues. This was done to give Kyiv's new team and Donald Trump leverage to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.

Data shows that Russia's LNG exports in 2024 will increase by 3%.

LSEG's preliminary data on Saturday showed that Russia's LNG exports increased by 3% to 32 million metric tonnes in 2024, with about half of it going to Europe. China, the largest Russian importer, imported more than 7 millions tons of super-cool gas. In Europe, the Russian LNG exports were mainly delivered to France this year, who imported more than 5,6 million tons of LNG. Then comes Belgium and Spain.

French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch November 26

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Google has proposed further changes to its European Search Results to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act. Alstom, a French manufacturer of rail infrastructures, announced on Monday that it had renewed its contract with the Denver International Airport to provide automated people mover systems for 7 years at a cost of 218 million Euros ($228,4 million).

German wind power supply increases leads to a drop in spot prices

The European power price for Thursday dropped on the back of increased wind generation forecasts in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. LSEG data show that the price of German baseload electricity for Thursday fell 17.2%, to 125 Euros ($132.83) per Megawatt Hour (MWh), by 0956 GMT Wednesday. The French power price for the day ahead fell by 5.3%, to 124 Euros/MWh. Guro Marie Wyller, LSEG analyst…

The Colombian Ministry of Energy says nine companies are interested in the offshore wind project

The Colombian energy ministry announced on Tuesday that seven foreign companies and two local ones had expressed interest in a project to build offshore wind farms and expected to receive formal bids by the first half of 2025. According to the ministry, these companies include Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol, power firm Celsia and Spain's BlueFloat Energy. They also include Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and DEME from Belgium…

Drill, baby, drill in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale lands!

Argentina's new, market-friendly government, and concerns about oil supplies from the Middle East, and elsewhere, are driving a boom in drilling and production in the Patagonian South, which is home to the giant Vaca Muerta shale, Spanish for "Dead Cow". In the flat, arid terrain, the production of shale oil and gas is surging. Fracking wells have been drilled in record numbers, and pipelines…

Marine Technology ENews subscription

World Energy News is the global authority on the international energy industry, delivered to your Email two times per week.

Subscribe to World Energy News Alerts.