The EU's plans to ban Russian gas
The European Commission proposed Tuesday legally binding measures to end the European Union's imports from Russia of gas and liquefied gas by the end 2027. This would put an end to decades-old energy relationships with Europe's ex-top gas supplier. The details of the proposals are below. They still require approval by EU countries and the European Parliament. The ban will be implemented in phases.
Egypt To Buy Up To 160 LNG Cargoes Through 2026
Egypt has reached agreements with several energy firms and trading houses to buy 150 to 160 cargoes of liquefied natural gas, as it ramps up purchases to meet power demands despite strained government finances, industry sources said.The world's most populous Arab country has endured rolling blackouts over the past two years as natural gas supply fell short of demand. It returned to being a net importer of gas last year…
Where is the money that the EU promised to workers in order to go green
The latest data available from the European Commission shows that the EU member states spent only EUR735 millions ($840 million US), the total amount of the fund, between March 2021 and March 2025. The Just Transition Fund is failing to provide adequate assistance for workers who are out of work, said Ciaran Mulooly. He was investigating the performance of the fund as a reporteur. "It's a total disaster from an employment standpoint." The towns are left with nothing.
Greenpeace removes a wax statue of Macron due to French trade with Russia
Greenpeace activists moved a wax sculpture of French President Emmanuel Macron, which was displayed at the Grevin Museum of Paris, to the Russian embassy on Monday in protest of French business ties and the lack of climate action. The French presidency did not respond to a request for comment immediately. Greenpeace's spokesperson confirmed that the activists entered the museum as regular visitors on Monday and proceeded to the room with Macron's wax figure.
French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. CREDIT AGICOLE: French bank Credit Agricole announced on Wednesday that it had signed a long term partnership agreement with Belgium’s Crelan Group, and would be acquiring a 9.9% share in the company. ELIOR GROUP - French food caterer Elior lowered on Wednesday its organic revenue growth forecast for 2025, citing a priority on profitability.
How can the EU ban Russian Gas?
Next month, the European Commission will propose legal measures that will phase out EU gas imports from Russia by 2027 and prohibit spot contracts with Russia before the end this year. This is how it could work. How will the EU ban Russian gas? Legally, sanctions are the easiest way for the EU's to prohibit Russian gas and liquefied imports. They require the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states.
TurkStream gas pipeline may slow down EU-Russia decoupling
May 7 - While the European Commission has announced a revised plan to wean Europe off Russian energy completely by 2027, some parts of Europe have taken the opposite approach. The TurkStream pipeline is not only still operating, but has expanded its gas supply. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian gas exports have dropped dramatically. They went from more than 155 billion cubic meters (bcm), in 2021, to less than 40 bcm by 2024.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, mainly due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January to April reached 34.6 million tons. This was by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, primarily due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January through April was 34.6 million tons. This is by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period.
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…
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…
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.
