Denmark buys $9 billion worth of air defence systems amid growing tensions with Russia
Denmark will buy air defence systems made in Europe for 58 billion Danish crowns (9.11 billion dollars), making it its largest ever arms purchase. The country's Defence Minister said this on Friday. He cited a difficult security situation. In February, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen ordered that military equipment be purchased in anticipation of a possible future Russian invasion in Europe.
Sources: Swiss gold refining plans add sparkle to Trump's trade deal
Two people with knowledge of the situation say that Switzerland wants to build a gold refinery or increase its processing capacity in the United States as part a plan to lower U.S. tariffs. Donald Trump imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss imports as a result of the U.S.-Swiss trade deficit on August 7, 2018. Switzerland had scrapped its industrial tariffs in January.
Industry official: Japan will start planning floating wind testing centre next year
A senior industry official announced that Japan will begin planning for a floating national wind test centre in 2019. The official vowed to continue on the path of wind energy growth despite recent setbacks, such as Mitsubishi quitting three projects. Last month, Mitsubishi-led consortiums dropped plans to build three offshore windmills that won Japan's first large state auction in 2021.
Taiwan's offshore projects will move into deeper waters and require more state support
Industry officials and analysts say that Taiwan's attempt to boost its offshore wind market will require a huge amount of government support to help prospective suppliers achieve their capacity goals, as projects are moved to deeper, more technically challenging waters. The island's densely-populated population, which was long dependent on coal power…
The US cuts to oil jobs and expenditure threaten the output growth
Due to the lower oil price and the largest consolidation in the last generation, the U.S. Oil industry has cut thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in spending. This could be the end of rapid growth in output that made the U.S. world's leading producer. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies within the OPEC+…
Halliburton cuts workforce as oil activity declines, sources claim
Halliburton, a U.S. oilfield service provider, has cut staff in recent months, according to sources who are familiar with the issue. This is the latest reduction of workforce in the U.S. petroleum industry, which faces increasing costs, a period when prices have dropped and there is volatility. The global benchmark Brent crude oil price has dropped…
Experts say that India's tax reduction on solar and wind energy devices will lower clean energy tariff.
India's decision on cutting taxes on solar and winds equipment will lower the costs of new plants, and pressurize existing project developers to reduce their tariffs. This will accelerate India's transition to renewable energy. On Wednesday, the government lowered the goods and service tax (GST), which was previously 12% on solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine generators, to 5%.
Andy Home: A quiet revolution is taking place in the mining industry
If the world wants to move away from fossil fuels, it will need to have a large amount of copper. Can the mining industry meet this demand? The challenges are enormous. The challenges are huge. The mining process has been highly wasteful and polluting in the past. According to a research paper from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, the world discovered…
Trump's options for easing Russia sanctions are limited in comparison to Europe
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, could lift some sanctions against Russia quickly as a way to reward Moscow for successful peace talks with Ukraine. However only Europe can make the larger steps necessary to ease Russia's cash crisis. Trump has threatened to impose additional sanctions and tariffs against Russia and its oil buyers if there are no signs of progress in the three-and-a-half-year long war in Ukraine.
Mitsubishi is considering abandoning offshore wind energy projects in Japan
Mitsubishi Corp announced on Wednesday that it is considering withdrawing from 3 Japanese offshore wind projects. Three wind farms are owned by Mitsubishi-led consortiums in Japan's Chiba Prefecture and Akita Prefecture. The trading house announced in February it was reevaluating how to proceed given the "significantly altered" business climate.
US and Russian officials discussed the latest Ukraine peace talks alongside energy deals
Five sources familiar with these talks claim that U.S. officials and Russian government officials discussed energy deals in parallel to negotiations to achieve peace in Ukraine this month. They said that these deals were presented as incentives for Washington to relax sanctions against Russia and to encourage the Kremlin into peace in Ukraine.
US and Russian officials discussed the latest Ukraine peace talks alongside energy deals
Five sources familiar with these talks claim that U.S. officials and Russian government officials discussed energy deals in parallel to negotiations to achieve peace in Ukraine this month. They said that these deals were presented as incentives for the Kremlin, to encourage it to accept peace in Ukraine and Washington to ease sanctions against Russia.
US Opens National Security Investigation into the Import of Wind Turbines
The U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday it has opened a national security investigation into the import of wind turbines and components.Earlier this week, the department said it was adding wind turbines to a list of products that will face 50% tariffs on the aluminum and steel content. The "Section 232" investigation, which was opened on August 13 but not made public until now…
Norway's DNO resumes Kurdistan oilfield output after drone strikes
DNO, a Norwegian oil company, announced on Thursday that it had restarted production of its Tawke field and Peshkabir field in Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdistan region. Production was halted in this area last month because of drone strikes. In morning trading, shares of the company that also increased its dividend payment Thursday surged by 11.6%.
Norway's DNO restarts oil production from Kurdistan after drone attacks
DNO, a Norwegian company, has resumed oil production in its Tawke, and Peshkabir, fields, in Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdistan region. Production was halted in this area last month because of drone attacks. Last month, officials from the energy sector said that repeated drone attacks on oilfields around the region reduced crude production, including other companies', by between 140,000 and 150,000 barrels a day.
Exxon to return to Sakhalin-1 after Russia's decree
The Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on Friday a decree which could allow foreign investors to recover shares in the Sakhalin-1 project, including Exxon Mobil. The decree was signed on the same day that Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska. At the summit, opportunities for business collaboration and investment will be discussed alongside discussions to bring peace to Ukraine.
T1, Corning and Corning to produce solar panels in the USA
T1 Energy, a U.S.-based solar company, and Corning, a specialty glass manufacturer, have announced a deal to create a domestic supply chain for solar panels, including polysilicon and wafers. This deal will allow T1 to meet the growing demand in the United States for panels made with American components. Solar companies are restricted from claiming…
Trump Administration unveils tougher rules on solar and wind subsidies
Trump's administration will likely take another step to curb the growth of renewable energies in the United States as early as Monday by making it more difficult for companies to claim federal subsidies for wind and sun energy. The Treasury Department will meet a deadline of 45 days, set in July by U.S. president Donald Trump, to revise the rules that govern who is eligible for tax credits on clean energy…
Pemex plan disappointed suppliers who are awaiting billions of dollars in unpaid payments
The head of a Mexican association that represents global oilfield services firms said on Thursday, that the new business plan for Pemex, despite promises to accelerate payments to suppliers, lacks any concrete measures. Rafael Espino is the president of AMESPAC. He said that during a meeting on Tuesday with officials of the energy and finance ministries…
AI revolution to transform Europe's outdated power plants
Microsoft and Amazon are looking to convert some of Europe's old coal and gas-fired power plants into data centres with ready access to electricity and water. Engie in France, RWE in Germany, and Enel in Italy are all looking to capitalize on the surge of AI-driven energy demands by converting their old power plants into data centres, and securing lucrative power supply agreements with their operators.