Latest news
France keeps saying no to shale gas development
Even if France is viewed as one of the most promising countries in Europe in terms of shale gas reserves, in 2011 the French government imposed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for shale gas due to worries about its potential impact on the environment.
read more... 15/07/2013
RWE npower to halt the largest biomass plant in the world
RWE npower , the leading integrated UK energy company, announced it is halting the development of its dedicated biomass power plant at Tilbury, the biggest 100% biomass in the world.
read more... 05/07/2013
Energy Policy Objectives in Belgium
- to phase-out the nuclear energy (between 2015 and 2025) - to reorganize the electricity and gas markets (in Flanders, electricity and gas markets are fully liberalized since July 2003) - to implement the Federal Plan for Sustainable Development, in the context of the "Law concerning the coordination of the federal policy on sustainable development" (May 5, 1997), a new version of the plan for 2004-2008 has been elaborated. - to implement the National Climate Plan 2002-2012, signed in 2002, by both the federal and regional governments responsible for environment, energy and transport, measures to be taken at either the federal or the regional levels. FLANDERS: - to encourage the efficient use of energy (to reduce the consumption of energy in the residential sector and to increase energy efficiency in industry and the service sector) - to provide the greatest energy services at adequate prices for all social groups, through regulation of electricity and gas markets - to augment energy production through the use of renewable energy WALLONIA: Walloon Plan for Sustainable Mastery of Energy (2003) - to reduce the final consumption by 6% by 2010 - to modify behavior through increased public consciousness of energy matters - to develop the renewable energy sector - to regulate electricity and gas markets, to discuss and evaluate policies - to encourage the efficient use of energy in buildings, industry and services - Decree of 1 March 2012 (Wallonia). The objective of the Walloon Government is to achieve 20% of renewable energy by 2020 and 100% by 2050. The Walloon government will require energy suppliers an higher annual percentage of green certificates. Currently it is 15.75% and gradually it will reach 30.4% in 2016 and 37.9% in 2020, an annual increase of 3.65%. BRUSSELS-CAPITAL: - to increase public awareness of the efficient use of energy - to establish a support system for renewable and other energy projects - to offer finance education and other support to the tertiary sector (as well as public authorities) - to develop administrative tools for building developers on the energy performance on buildings Source: Energy Market Price – Belgium Energy Statistics Report
read more... 13/06/2013
France keeps hydraulic fracking ban despite business lobbies
France remains committed to its moratorium on shale gas exploration using fracking, according to a declaration made by French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy Delphine Batho during a debate, aired on both radio RMC and BFM TV with Laurence Parisot, head of the French business association MEDEF.
read more... 07/06/2013
Russia to support the development of renewable energy sources
The Russian Energy Minister submitted on 15 April a draft law to Dmitry Medvedev, prime minister of Russia, which eyes supporting the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power.
read more... 29/04/2013