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IEA encourages Europe to increase shale gas output
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is encouraging Europe to boost its shale gas output, being concerned about high prices of European gas, suggesting Brussels to minimize the activity of energy-intensive industries such as cement and steel, while trimming the subsidies for green energy.
read more... 27/01/2014
Germany: the first EU state to penalize the self-consumption of solar energy
The German government has approved on Wednesday a new solar tax, becoming the first European nation to charge owners of renewable energy plants for their own use of electricity, as part of Merkel’s plan to contain rising power bills. The changes would affect photovoltaics and are now partly being reported as a new retroactive solar tax. The cabinet is expected to officially sign off on the draft law in April before it goes to the Bundestag, which is expected to vote on it in June and could become law on August.
read more... 27/01/2014
Daily: British prompt gas hits one-week high on cold weather, weaker imports
Brent crude futures traded above $107 a barrel on Friday, as a cold snap in the United States boosted demand for heating oil and dragged down the country's stockpile of crude and distillates. Brent crude climbed 6 cents to $107.64 a barrel by 07:56 GMT, ending 69 cents lower in the previous session following weak manufactory activity figures from China, the world's second-largest oil consumer. Meanwhile, U.S. oil rose 24 cents to $97.56, extending gains after settling 59 cents up.
read more... 27/01/2014
China reached a new solar record in 2013
Chinese developers installed a record 12 GW of solar panels throughout the country in 2013, almost matching the total amount of solar power in operation in the United States, and it is likely that in 2014 it will exceed that record reaching 14GW of additional PV capacity. Until now, no one has ever added more than 8GW of solar power in a single year previous to 2013, and China’s record exceeded even the most optimistic estimates of a year ago.
read more... 24/01/2014
European Commission sets new 2030 climate goals
The European Union trimmed its long-term climate and energy goals on January 22, proposing less tight targets than previously amid rougher economic conditions and the necessity to curtail increasing energy costs.
read more... 24/01/2014