What the history-making elections of 2024 could mean for energy
Energy and climate change have been on the ballot around the world this year. Here’s a scorecard of what to expect on infrastructure, power and renewables in five countries.
France
TotalEnergies has plenty of reasons to say ‘Au Revoir, Paris’
TotalEnergies SE’s chief executive officer has plenty of reasons to antagonize the French government with the possibility of moving its stock listing to Wall Street. Measured in dollars, there are tens of billions of them.
Greenpeace graffities French FSRU at sea
One of the major reasons flagged by Greenpeace France for its action was the accusation that the FSRU would receive LNG cargoes from the US.
Greenpeace challenges Le Havre LNG import terminal
Greenpeace said France must demonstrate LNG imports are “the best option available”. If it cannot do this, the NGO said, the directive from March 2023 on commissioning the Le Havre FSRU should be cancelled.
Total sues Greenpeace over emissions reporting
“We are ready . We will continue to lift the veil on TotalEnergies' responsibility for global warming. See you in court.”
European leaders agree massive ramp-up in North Sea offshore wind
A group of Western European nations led by Germany and France have committed to massively ramping up the production of clean energy from wind turbines in the North Sea, to both meet climate targets and reduce their strategic energy dependence on Russia.
French court sides with Total over duty of vigilance in Uganda, Tanzania
While the court found against them, the six organisations appear determined to continue their legal fight. “We will continue to work harder than ever in the courts and elsewhere”, Kamugisha said.
Key UK-France power cable back at full capacity after 2021 fire
A key power cable linking Britain and France has been used at full capacity for the first time since a fire shut it down in 2021.
Amid European gas talk, ICE sets out new LNG futures
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has launched two new LNG futures: North-West Europe and South-West Europe, as the continent struggles to make sense of tumultuous gas pricing.
Nearly half of UK offshore wind capacity owned by foreign governments
Nearly half of UK offshore wind capacity is controlled by state-owned or majority state-owned foreign entities, according to a new report.
Political will and Europe’s energy security challenge
European energy security faces a seemingly impossible task of meeting short-term demand with longer-term decarbonisation. Society does not have the luxury of declaring this to be impossible, though, so must take steps now to meet the challenges.
EDF reports $1.3bn loss as France prepares nationalisation
Electricite de France (EDF) reported a historic loss for the first half of 2022 as it suffered a slump in nuclear output in the midst of a severe European energy crisis.
Technip Energies signs up to work on Total’s Le Havre FSRU
Technip Energies will supply a marine loading arm to TotalEnergies at the planned FSRU project in France.
Technip Energies, NPCC launch MENA-focused energy transition unit
Technip Energies and Abu Dhabi’s National Petroleum Construction Co. (NPCC) have agreed to establish a joint company, aiming to focus on the energy transition.
Adnoc, TotalEnergies to deepen co-operation, with state backing
Adnoc and TotalEnergies have signed a deal to work together, while France and the United Arab Emirates have also made high-level commitments.
Sonatrach tweaks pricing conditions for Engie
Sonatrach has struck a deal to supply France’s Engie with gas via the Medgaz pipeline.
Pouyanné calls for immediate action to reduce energy use
The heads of Engie, EDF and TotalEnergies have called on the French to cut energy consumption as the European energy system comes under strain.
Cash needed to defuse Yemen’s floating oil bomb
The United Nations has begun securing funding commitments to tackle the dangers posed by the FSO Safer, offshore Yemen.
Europe invested £35bn in new wind farms in 2021, ‘well short’ of what is needed
Europe invested almost £35 billion in new wind farms last year, bankrolling 25 gigawatts (GW) of fresh capacity.
TotalEnergies to continue Russian gas purchases, despite criticism
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné has stood up, once more, for the company’s values – but defended the purchases of Russian LNG.
France seizes head of Rosneft’s yacht
French customs agents have seized the Amore Vero yacht, belonging to Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.
Shell sees $4.5 billion of investment opportunities in France
Shell has identified 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) of potential investments in France in a bid to support the country’s efforts to develop sustainable sources of energy, Le Figaro reported on Saturday, citing an interview with Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden.
Europe power crunch shuts down factories as prices hit record
European power climbed to a fresh record as France faces a winter supply crunch, with heavy industries forced to curb production across the region.
As EACOP FID looms, French court knocks TotalEnergies back
A French court has found against TotalEnergies in a case on the “duty of vigilance” law, with environmental NGOs claiming this as a victory.
Macron oversees slew of French deals on visit to Middle East
French President Emmanuel Macron has overseen a number of commercial deals during his visit to the Middle East.