Gas stocks in Europe could be more stressed this summer due to less hydro and wind.
The wind speed and lower hydropower stock in Northwest Europe could increase demand for gas-fired and coal-fired electricity generation this summer, at a moment when Europe needs to replenish storage that has been depleted following the winter. LSEG data revealed that hydro levels and snowpack are now well below the average levels in continental Europe. They were also much lower than those recorded in 2024. Meanwhile, gas demand is on the rise year-on-year.
Sources say that commodity traders will submit bids by May for Italy's IP.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that global commodity traders Glencore and Gunvor were considering the possibility of buying oil refiner Italiana Petroli API group. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is also interested in the asset, two sources with knowledge of the transaction said. Glencore, Gunvor, and IP have declined to comment. SOCAR did not respond to a request for comment. IP, owned by Brachetti Peretti…
Sources say that commodity traders are expected to bid for Italy's IP in May.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that global commodity traders Glencore and Gunvor were considering the possibility of buying oil refiner Italiana Petroli API group. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is also interested in the asset, two sources with knowledge of the transaction said. Glencore and Gunvor have declined to comment. SOCAR and IP did not respond to requests for comment. IP, which UniCredit advises on the possible sale…
Eni anticipates that investors will value Plenitude at over $11 billion
Eni's executive said that investors who are interested in buying a minority stake of its retail and renewables arm, Plenitude will value the company at more than 11 billion dollars, including debt. Eni, under its "satellite strategy", plans to sell another minority stake in Plenitude. This comes after the Swiss fund Energy Infrastructure Partners purchased an initial stake valued at 10 billion euro. "We received binding offers for another stake in Plenitude...
Glencore asks Australian Government to bail out local copper assets
Anglo-Swiss commodities company Glencore has said it has spoken to both Queensland and the Federal Government of Australia regarding the future of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townville Copper Refinery assets. Glencore announced in October 2023 that its Mount Isa underground copper mines would be closed by the second half 2025. They cited studies and reviews which stated it was impossible to extend the mine's life.
Trafigura cancels plans to build a $471 million hydrogen facility in South Australia
Trafigura, the global trading company for commodities, has canceled plans to build a green hydrogen plant worth A$750m ($471.2m) at its Port Pirie Lead Smelter in South Australia. A spokesperson said this on Tuesday. Trafigura, a Swiss company, had commissioned a design study, funded jointly by the South Australian government and Trafigura, in order to reduce the carbon emissions of the plant.
Partners Group buys California energy assets worth $2.2 billion
The companies announced on Tuesday that Swiss private equity firm Partners Group would purchase an energy asset-management platform in California and certain gas-fired electricity plants from U.S. based Avenue Capital Group, for $2.2 billion. The U.S. In 2025 and 2026, the demand for electricity will increase due to data centers devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, homes and businesses will use more electricity to heat and transport.
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by exporting Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release, the Hamburg Regional Court announced that it would proceed with the trial of two of the defendants…
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by helping to export Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release,…
French up and German down on mixed weather signals
On Wednesday, European power prices took different directions. Germany's fell due to higher wind generation while France's rose along with increased demand caused by the colder weather. The German power price for the day ahead fell by 2.8% at 0900 GMT to 122.8 Euros ($134.10) per Megawatt Hour. The French baseload rate for the day ahead was up 6.2% to 116.3 euros/MWh. LSEG data indicated that Germany expected wind output to increase to 5.9 gigawatts on Thursday.
EIP gains majority stake in BayWa Renewable Energy Unit after capital increase
BayWa AG announced on Sunday that Swiss energy investors Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP), would acquire a majority stake of renewable energy unit BayWa. Through a capital raise, BayWa AG would reduce its stake from 51% to 35%. In a press release, BayWa AG said that as part of its capital increase it will give up shareholder loans totaling 350 million euros (366.66 million dollars) to BayWa r.e. The debt and capital financing will be used to cover the BayWa r.e.
Minister: Hungarian gas company will supply Transdniestria
Peter Szijjarto, the Hungarian foreign minister, said that a Hungarian trading company would provide natural gas to Transdniestria in Moldova after a request by Russia's energy ministry. Transdniestria residents, a tiny sliver run by pro Russian separatists on the border of Moldova and Ukraine, faced an energy crisis after the expiration of a transit agreement that allowed Russian natural gas to be shipped via Ukraine.
German wind volume to rise - a warning
The European spot price for Wednesday dropped on Tuesday, as German wind production volumes are expected to double. France is also set for a significant fall in consumption. The LSEG analyst Naser Hahemi wrote that "residual loads are down in Germany due to the increase in wind energy production." This is an indicator which shows how much conventional power plants can supply after variable renewable volumes have been fed into grids.
Breakaway Moldovan Region claims it received gas supplies backed up by Russian loan
Separatist authorities announced on Friday that the pro-Russian Transdniestria region of Moldova, which is a breakaway region, has begun receiving gas under a Moscow loan. Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krsnoselsky stated in a Telegram statement that the Russian loan assistance as well as cooperation with Russia's Ministry of Energy made gas deliveries possible. The Russian gas flow to Transdniestria…
Africa's biggest copper countries are focusing on trade profits
Africa's largest copper producers, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia (Zambia), are working to get exposure to metal trading, as the surge in demand linked to artificial intelligent and the move to greener energy promises big profits. Metals trading is a long-standing domain of international trading companies, like Glencore. Congo and Zambia which represent together more than 13% global…
DeepSeek's "Sputnik moment" prompts investors to dump big AI players
Investors sent technology stocks like Nvidia and Oracle tumbling on Monday as the appearance of a Chinese artificial intelligence model that is low-cost cast doubts on Western firms' dominance in the sector.Startup DeepSeek launched last week a free assistant that it claims uses less data and costs a fraction of what existing models cost. This could be a turning point for the amount of investment required in AI.Futures for the Nasdaq 100 fell almost 4%.
Fortescue Energy CEO: Green hydrogen costs are key to reducing demand
Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson said in Davos that buyers will not pay "green premiums" if the price is competitive. By splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen, using renewable electricity, green hydrogen can be created. The hydrogen can be used to generate electricity or as an ingredient in agricultural fertilisers. Hutchinson, speaking at the Global Markets Forum, said that electrolyzers…
Glencore opens to deals as investors prepare for more mining M&A
Glencore, the commodity and miner trader, said that it was open to M&A deals that created value for its investors. It is leveraging its position in the top three producers of copper globally. Investors in the sector were most concerned about potential M&A transactions in 2024. However, BHP's failed $49 billion bid for Anglo American last May demonstrated the difficulties of merging diversified producers.
Financial Times - Jan 17
These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Owners of France's Natixis Investment Managers, and Italian insurer Generali, are nearing an announcement of an agreement for a joint venture in asset management that will bring together the two biggest European names. France's Bureau Veritas has ended merger talks…
As demand falls and supply increases, prompt prices will fall.
The European spot electricity prices dropped on Wednesday, as the demand for power in Europe declined while wind and nuclear power increased. LSEG data revealed that French consumption would fall as temperatures rise in a country which relies heavily on electric heating during winter. By 1100 GMT, the French baseload for Thursday had fallen 8.3% to 141.30 Euros ($145.62). In Germany, baseload for Friday was down almost 33% at 154.50 Euros.
