Gas companies claim that Japan's demand for gas could fall if the war in Iran affects plastics supplies.
Gas company chiefs warned on Wednesday that Japan's gas consumption could fall if the war on Iran continues. Osaka Gas provides?gas? to factories. If these plants are forced into a production cutback due to a shortage of materials, Osaka Gas's sales of gas will fall, said Osaka Gas president Masataka Fujiwara at a press briefing. Tokyo Gas?also warned about the possible fallout of a naphtha shortage for manufacturers. Tokyo Gas President Shinichi SASAYAMA said in a separate press conference that any decision to reduce the activities of our customers…
China's coal-chemicals sector reaps the benefits as Iran war crushes its petrochemical rivals
China's coal-to-chemicals stock has risen by up to 30% since the Iran War began, as the industry?capitalizes on its ability to?turn domestic coal into petroleum and?other chemicals without relying upon shipments through Strait of Hormuz. The rise in oil prices due to Iran's close-to-closing of the Strait of Hormuz has been a boon to the coal-to chemicals sector. This industry has its roots in Germany during World War II and is almost unique. It transforms coal into petroleum products, gas, and other chemicals. Chinese coal prices are down despite the fact that the Gulf supply disruption has increased prices for chemicals, oil, and gas.
Arafura Australia says South Korea and Germany are exposed to a rare earths shortage.
The United States, Japan and Australia are locking down rare earths supply, leaving industrial giants Germany and South Korea vulnerable, according to the CEO of Australia’s Arafura Rare Earths. This company is currently negotiating final agreements for supply. The U.S. is leading a global push to diversify supply chains and secure new sources of supply after China, the world's largest producer of rare earths, placed export restrictions last year. This shook the automotive and defense industries. Only two Western companies produce at scale. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, and MP Materials in the U.S. with its Mountain Pass?deposit.
Australia announces $1.4 billion in support for Rio's Boyne Aluminium Smelter
Australia announced a?A$2 Billion ($1.40 Billion) over ten years to support Rio Tinto's Boyne Smelters, the country's second largest aluminium smelter. Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres stated that the investment will be equally funded by both the federal government and Queensland's state governments. Rio Tinto will underwrite investment in energy assets. Rio Tinto announced in a separate press release that the initiative will help the Anglo Australian miner reduce emissions and maintain its competitiveness amid rising fossil fuel prices.
Russell: The war fuel crisis in Iran gives electric vehicles a boost for the long term.
The U.S. president Donald Trump is known for his support of fossil fuels. However, the war on Iran will likely result in an acceleration of energy transitions, particularly in Asia. Retail fuel prices have risen rapidly in the world's fastest-growing and most populous region since the U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign against Iran began on February 28. In Australia, for example, the cost of a litre?diesel has reached a record high of A$3 ($2.09), having risen by around 36% since "the war" began, while gasoline prices in Japan have risen by 18%.
Investors predict that the war in Iran will increase Chinese demand for renewable energy
Investors rush into Chinese renewable stocks betting that the oil shock caused by the Iran War will increase?global green energy demand, a sector China dominates. This 'portfolio' trend in Asia is a result of growing concerns about energy security in Asia and a growing distrust for Washington. It contrasts with the United States, which has shifted back to oil and gas. Aaron Costello, Cambridge Associates' head of Asia, said at a conference in Hong Kong that countries should now focus on energy security. They need to build their renewables and energy grids further, perhaps more nuclear power. And they should focus more on defense. The U.S.
Russell: The war fuel crisis in Iran gives electric vehicles a boost for the long term.
The U.S. president Donald Trump is known for his support of fossil fuels. However, the legacy of war against the?Iran will likely be an acceleration in the energy transition. This is especially true in Asia. Retail fuel prices have risen rapidly since the U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign began on February 28, causing the world's fastest growing region to be hit by the fallout. In Australia, for example, the cost of a litre (about 1.9 liters) of diesel has reached a record high of A$3, having risen by 36% or so since the start of the war. Meanwhile, in Japan, gasoline prices have jumped 18%.
Investors predict that the war in Iran will increase Chinese demand for renewable energy
Investors rush into Chinese renewable stocks, betting that the oil shock caused by the Iran War will boost global demand for the green energy sector, which China dominates. This portfolio?trend, spurred by?heightened concerns about energy security?and 'growing distrust of the U.S.'s reliability contrasts with the United States returning to oil and gas. "As you step back and the dust settles, or the price of crude oil begins to drop,... the countries need to now focus on energy safety," Aaron Costello, head Asia at Cambridge Associates told a Hong Kong conference on Monday. They need to build up their renewable energy, their energy grids.
Lee, South Korea's Lee, calls for an energy-saving campaign that includes curbs on automobiles
The South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Tuesday for a nationwide energy-saving campaign due to the threat posed by the war in Iran. He said that public institutions would reduce their use of passenger cars. Kim Sung Whan, Energy Minister, told a cabinet meeting that curbs on private vehicles were for the time being voluntary but would be reviewed if energy alert levels increased. He said that the government would encourage staggered commute hours, as well as other conservation measures, to be taken by the 50 largest oil-consuming companies.
Total CEO: Iran war disruption that goes beyond 3-4 months is a systemic threat to the global economy
Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies, said that a 'disruption in global energy supply from the U.S. and Israeli?war against Iran? lasting beyond three to four months would pose a serious systemic risk for the global economy. Pouyanne, speaking at the CERAWeek conference in Houston, said that the disruption of global fuel supplies was worse than disruptions to crude oil supply?because they were exacerbated by an export ban from China on products such as diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. China banned exports in order to maintain sufficient fuel supplies at home during the crisis.
China Calls for Gulf Conflict to End, Addressing Southeast Asia Energy Shortages
China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it was ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages as oil markets reel from supply shocks.While the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has allowed China to cast itself as the more reliable superpower, analysts say it is wary of global energy market uncertainty, not least because it needs the resources it has been stockpiling since the late 2000s to power the manufacturing sector underpinning its economy.Assisting Southeast Asia's 700 million people would be welcome relief to the region's oil importers…
Macquarie Group Expresses Interest in Shell's European Onshore Renewables
Macquarie Group has expressed early interest in bidding for Shell's European onshore renewable energy business, according to people familiar with the matter, assets that could be valued at more than 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion), another person said.Shell is preparing to launch an auction for the assets in coming weeks, two of the sources said, as CEO Wael Sawan continues to scale back the company's low-carbon operations in favour of liquefied natural gas and upstream businesses.Macquarie and Shell declined to comment.Here are the key details:Shell's European onshore renewables could fetch 1billion -1.5 billion euros ($1.15-1.73 billion), o
UN Climate chief: Iran war a'simple lesson' in fossil fuel dependency
The U.N. Climate Secretary will inform EU policymakers that the disruption of energy markets caused by the Iran War is an "abject" lesson in the dangers?of?relying?on fossil fuels. The European Union, despite being geographically distant from the Middle East crisis, has been affected by it through the soaring global energy prices. The European gas price has risen by 50% in the past two weeks. "Fossil?dependency is ripping national security and sovereignty away, and replacing them with subservience, rising costs, and Simon?Stiell will tell EU officials at a?Brussels event.
Document threatening legal action by foreign investors against Vietnam for renewables
According to a document seen by the. Last year, the 'dispute' began when Vietnam cut subsidised electricity prices from solar and wind farms. It cited irregularities. Vietnam's energy industry is struggling with high prices and the risk of shortages due to the conflict in Iran. The chambers of commerce of the European Union, Britain and Japan in Vietnam, as well as South Korea, Thailand, and South Korea, sent a letter of joint concern to the government on Thursday. The chambers urge authorities to find a'mutual agreement'…
Japan's weakness on energy is brought to the forefront as Middle East crisis worsens, says REI chair
The chair of the Renewable Energy Institute stated that Japan must do more to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels after the Middle East conflict escalated and halted the tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This highlighted Japan's vulnerability to?geopolitical risk. Japan imports 95% of its crude oils and 11% of liquefied gas through the Strait. About 70% of the latter and 6% of the former are shipped via the Strait. The closure of the channel has caused sharp increases in fuel prices. This is particularly hard on energy-importing countries like Japan.
EIA: US power consumption will surpass previous records in 2026 and '27, as AI usage surges.
?U.S. The Energy Information Administration (EIA), in its Tuesday Short-Term Energy Outlook, said that power consumption will continue to rise in 2026-2027. The EIA projects that the power demand in 2025 will reach a record of 4,195 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), followed by 4,260 billion in 2026, and 4,388 billion in 2027. The demand for electricity is increasing as more homes and businesses are using less fossil fuels to heat and transport their vehicles and use less data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. According to the EIA, power sales for residential customers will reach 1,535 billion kWh in 2026.
Zambia seeks global investors to triple copper production by 2031
Zambia is wooing investors from around the world, including those in the United States. It aims to triple its copper production to 3 million tons by 2031. Washington wants to work with the second largest copper producer in Africa, Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States is intensifying efforts to loosen China’s grip on critical materials for advanced manufacturing. Zambia missed its annual target of 1,000,000 tons by a mere?890.346 tons. Red'metal' is used in the construction of electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and other vital components for a transition to a low carbon economy.
S&P: Central Europe is more resilient to supply shocks in the face of Iran war
S&P Global reported?on Tuesday that Central and Eastern Europe is more resilient to energy?shocks as a result of efforts to diversify the sources of energy since Russia's invasion in?Ukraine 2022. This provides buffers against economic impacts of the war in the Middle East. S&P Global said?on Tuesday that the region's import-dependent financial markets have been shaken by U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. This has driven up energy prices, central European currency, and bond yields, before Tuesday's relief rallies on hope of de-escalation.
Report: US solar installations will drop by 2025 as a result of Trump's policies.
A study released on Tuesday showed that the U.S. market for solar energy added fewer installations in 2025 than the previous year. This is due to the fact that President Donald 'Trump' scrapped tax breaks and subsidies for renewable energy developers. According to a report by Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association, 43 gigawatts of new solar capacity was installed in 2018. This compares to 50 GW in 2020. Report: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of the Obama administration has caused a disruption in the solar industry, with utility-scale installations falling 16%, and community solar dropping 25% by 2025.
Former Shell CFO to leave, BP Chairman Manifold trims the board
BP Chairman 'Albert Manifold' announced on Friday plans for a slimmer board, as a s part of the resetting strategy by the british oil major. Former Shell Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry was among those leaving. Manifold has made other changes since he became chairman in October. Murray Auchincloss, who was appointed CEO in October, abruptly left the position in December. Woodside Energy's Meg O'Neill will take on that role from April. O'Neill was BP's?first external hire... for the post in more than a century. According to BP's annual report, she will receive a base salary of 1.6million pounds.