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Germany’s “Energiewende” is not as successful as thought
Currently, Germany is in the process of completely transforming its energy sector at a pace unmatched by other industrialized nations. It describes the country's politically supervised shift in direction from nuclear and fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. The very term "Energiewende" is some 30 years old, but nowadays, the term is primarily associated with a fundamental policy shift in the country after the 2011 nuclear plant disaster in Fukushima, Japan. In the wake of Fukushima, Berlin oversaw the immediate closure of eight nuclear plants in Germany, with the rest of the stations to be shut down by 2022.
read more... 02/01/2014
Gazprom increased its gas supplies to Europe
Last year, Gazprom increased by 16 % the supply of natural gas to Europe to 161.5 billion cubic meters, with Germany, Italy and the U.K. ledding the increase in gas imports from Russia. European customers such as Germany’s RWE AG and Italy’s Eni SpA obtained lower gas prices under their long-term supply contracts with Gazprom. Supplies to Italy increased by more than 60 %.
read more... 02/01/2014
Total’s five refineries back to work
After a two week strike, Total’s five refineries have restarted operations, as workers at Gonfreville decided to return to work. The protesters, led by the CGT union, insist on an improved pay offer from Total but the company has refused to reopen talks after other unions approved a deal this month.
read more... 30/12/2013
Switzerland to close its Muehleberg nuclear plant by 2019
Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Swiss government has decided to phase out nuclear power as an energy source for electricity generation and to look more towards energy efficiency and renewables.
read more... 27/12/2013
Daily: Brent crude hits 3-week high on Africa civil unrest
Brent crude increased to above $112 a barrel on Thursday, hitting a three-week high, pushed up by civil unrest in Africa which slashed supply.
read more... 26/12/2013