UK-based Balfour Beatty awarded $1.14 billion contract to build new gas power plants
Technip Energies, a French energy company, awarded Balfour Beatty of Britain a contract worth 833 million pounds ($1.14 billion). The project involves the construction of a UK gas-fired power plant. Balfour Beatty announced that construction on the plant, where 1,500 workers will be employed, will begin later this year and will end in 2028. The British Government is pushing clean energy initiatives in order to reduce energy bills and decrease reliance on fossil fuels imported. A strategy for the industry, made public this week, stated that the country would give energy-intensive companies exemptions and reduce their high energy costs.
Draft document shows that heavy industries will get a price reduction on electricity under the new EU regulations
A draft of the new EU rules on state aid, which are due to be published by the European Commission on Wednesday, revealed that heavy industries would receive a temporary reduction in electricity prices. This is despite criticisms from companies about high energy costs and restrictive green regulations. Eurometaux, a group of metals industry professionals, sent a warning to Ursula von der Leyen at the beginning of this month. The letter warned that the sector was losing its competitiveness in comparison with U.S. competitors and Chinese counterparts.
Glencore asks government for help after claiming that the copper smelter in Australia is unviable
Glencore said that its Mount Isa copper-smelter is unviable, and it's waiting for the response to its requests from the state and federal governments in order to keep this facility open despite tough global conditions. The UK-listed company has been alarming local media regarding its Mount Isa Smelting Business in Queensland State as its mining operations will close next month. The company will have to purchase copper concentrates to process once global processing costs are at historic lows due to excess global smelting capacities.
Metal industry group claims that new EU State Aid rules do not help
A metals industry group wrote a letter to the European Commission on Friday, saying that plans to overhaul state aid rules ignore heavy industry, which is critical for processing energy transition metals. They fail to mitigate energy costs, while green rules may penalise them. After a public hearing on its proposal from February, the Commission will announce new rules for state aid on 26 June. The group sent a letter to the Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and the commissioners responsible for climate, energy, industry and competition this week.
Financial Times - 2 June
These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. BP has received early interest in its sale of Castrol, the lubricants division, from both private equity firms and other industry players, including China’s state-owned Citic. However, some bidders are willing to accept offers lower than the $8 billion-plus expected range. AstraZeneca announced positive results from a trial for a drug to treat breast cancer that stops mutating tumors before they grow. The company hopes that this will be part of a portfolio that propels it to the top of oncology.
Industry warns that high energy costs are a threat to the future of UK manufacturing
Make UK, an industry group, said that Britain must reduce its industrial energy bills which are among the highest in advanced economies to achieve its goal of a healthy manufacturing sector. The government of Keir starmer is developing an industrial strategy that will put British manufacturing, which has been hit by Brexit and soaring energy prices as well as global trade wars, on a firm footing in the coming years. The manufacturing association Make UK has called for the cancellation of climate levies on industrial energy prices and the adoption of a fixed price.
Millions of Britons will see their energy bills drop as the price cap drops 7%
After Ofgem announced that its domestic price cap will fall by 7% in July to reflect lower wholesale prices, millions of British households can expect lower energy bills. The government is under pressure to ease the cost of living squeeze and this reduction comes as welcome news. Global wholesale energy prices have fallen. "While this is the primary cause, changes in supplier business costs also had an impact on falling energy prices," Ofgem stated in a press release. The regulator's formula for calculating the price cap includes wholesale gas and electricity prices.
Germany proposes grid fees overhaul to better fit renewables
The German network regulator started Monday a formal procedure to rethink electricity grid fees, with the goal of a system that is better suited for renewable energy. The use of the electricity network accounts for around 20% in Germany's consumer bills. This contributes to the high energy prices in Europe that hurt the economy and industry. Reform is needed to increase revenue and include more stakeholders in the costs of network expansion. Industry experts claim that the current system lacks incentives to encourage flexible users to reduce peak demands and does not guide energy infrastructure planning through clear price signals.
Total and Shell back out of carbon storage project in the Netherlands
AMSTERDAM (25 April) - After TotalEnergies & Shell retracted part of their planned investment, the Dutch government announced on Friday that it would invest 639 million euro ($726 millions) in the construction of the largest carbon capture and storing project of the Netherlands. The two major oil companies have decided not to invest in the infrastructure needed to connect the industries with the storage sites under the North Sea in gas fields that are depleted. The government stepped in to minimize risks for two remaining investors: the Dutch Gas Grid Operator Gasunie and the Dutch government-owned EBN.
Thyssenkrupp Steel unit to terminate supply contract with HKM - union
The IG Metall union, which represents the largest German steelmaker T hyssenkrupp Steel Europe, announced on Thursday that it intends to end a contract of supply with HKM. This has fueled uncertainty about the future of this joint venture. HKM, a joint venture of TKSE, Salzgitter, and Vallourec that is a 50-30-20, faces closure following a recent failure to find a buyer. This would be a huge blow for the approximately 3,000 employees. The union stated in a document seen by that TKSE supervisory board would meet on Friday. HKM workers will also protest at TKSE headquarters the same day.
German energy transition could cost 300 billion euros less with greater efficiency, according to a study
According to a report released by the Boston Consulting Group on Thursday, Germany could save over 300 billion euros (326.49 billion dollars) by 2035 if it implements the energy transition in a more efficient manner. Germany will spend hundreds of millions of euros in the next few years to transition towards cleaner energy sources, with a goal of being carbon neutral by 2045. Berlin is also under pressure from the industry to reduce energy costs that are stubbornly high. The BDI report calculated the savings based upon current plans.
RWE and TotalEnergies sign long-term agreement for green hydrogen supply
RWE, Germany's largest utility, announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to supply French oil giant TotalEnergies, with approximately 30,000 tonnes green hydrogen per year, starting in 2030. This is one of the biggest deals ever made by this sector. RWE stated that the agreement would last until 2044. It also said it was the largest amount of carbon neutral hydrogen ever purchased from a German facility. RWE will supply TotalEnergies Leuna refinery in eastern Germany via its 300 megawatt electrolysis plant located in Lingen, west of Berlin, that is expected to begin operation in 2027. No financial terms have been disclosed.
EU energy plan could save 45 billion Euros on fossil fuel import bill
According to an analysis by the EU executive, plans due to be released on Wednesday by the European Commission could save 45 billion euros (47.3 billion dollars) from the EU's import bill for fossil fuels this year. The Commission will propose a number of measures that aim to help European industries who are struggling to cope with a weak demand, low-cost imports and energy costs higher than in the U.S. or China. The draft EU energy measures that was previously reported on included proposals for speeding up permits for renewable projects…
Berlin is urged to act quickly by corporate bosses on the weak economy
German business leaders called for Berlin to quickly form a new Government on Monday, warning that Europe's largest economy cannot afford to waste time while companies are suffering from high costs and red tape, as well as increased competition from abroad. The CDU/CSU won the Sunday national elections, clearing the way for a new coalition government with the Social Democrats. This eased concerns about a potentially more fractured three-way system and prompted the corporate call to the parties to act quickly. Even so, the opposition still holds a majority in parliament that prevents them from making more radical decisions.
Berlin must act quickly to fix the economy
German business leaders called for Berlin to form a new cabinet quickly on Monday, warning that Europe's largest economy cannot afford to waste time while companies are suffering from high costs, bureaucracy and increasing competition from abroad. The CDU/CSU won the Sunday national elections, clearing the way for a new coalition government with the Social Democrats. This eased concerns about a potentially more fractured three-way system and prompted the corporate call to the parties to act quickly. Germany's leading companies have been criticizing the government for years over the lack of action on energy costs.
German business leaders react to the election results
The conservative CDU/CSU group won the most votes at Sunday's election. They could form a coalition with the Social Democrats, easing market concerns that Europe's largest economy would be run by a three-way alliance. "We do not need to discuss the issues anymore, they are already well-known. We need action now." We must act now because the rest of world isn't waiting. And the pressure on Germany to be competitive is immense. "Germany needs to quickly regain its competiveness." Energy policy is crucial. It is essential to expand gas-fired plants…
German business leaders react to the election results
The conservative CDU/CSU group won the most votes at Sunday's election. They could form a coalition with the Social Democrats, easing market concerns that Europe's largest economy would be run by a three-way alliance. "Germany needs to quickly regain its competiveness." Energy policy is crucial. It is essential to expand gas-fired plants, strengthen wind energy and modernize electricity grids, as well as ensure a reliable supply of raw materials. "Germany needs a government who is willing and able to act quickly. Our country faces enormous challenges: our economy needs to be given a new start through fundamental reforms.
Trump's complaint about the trade deficit with EU and what could come next
Donald Trump, President of the United StatesTrump has pledged to reduce a long-standing trade deficit between the United States and the European Union. He says he will do this by imposing tariffs, or forcing the EU to buy more U.S. gas and oil. In a memo entitled "America First Trade Policy", issued by Trump on his first day in the White House, he directed the Commerce and Treasury Departments and the U.S. Trade Rep to investigate the goods trade deficit and recommend measures before April. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said that the EU is willing to engage in negotiations with the United States.
Beware of Egypt's smokestack reshoring as Cement Exports Soar: Maguire
North Africa's second largest natural gas producer and its largest economy have increased the production and exports of several energy-intensive commodities in an effort to boost the growth of their industrial sector. Egypt's exports of chemicals, fertilizers, and cement doubled from 2022 to 2024. They have also grown by 350% in the last year thanks to government initiatives aimed at promoting rapid industrial growth. The increased output in Egypt coincides with a decrease in production in Europe of the same commodities.
Beware of Egypt's smokestack reshoring as Cement Exports Soar: Maguire
North Africa's second largest natural gas producer and its largest economy have increased the production and exports of several energy-intensive commodities in an effort to boost the growth of their industrial sector. Egypt's exports of chemicals, fertilizers, and cement doubled from 2022 to 2024. They have also grown by 350% in the last year thanks to government initiatives aimed at promoting rapid industrial growth. The increased output in Egypt coincides with a decrease in production in Europe of the same commodities. This trend highlights the growing re-shoring away from areas of high energy costs and pollution control.
