THE ENERGY INDUSTRY T I M E S January 2018 • Volume 10 • No 11 • Published monthly • ISSN 1757-7365 www.teitimes.com Digital transformation A bright spot for digitalisation Digitalisation offers more than just opportunities for utilities and solution providers, according to two new reports. Page 13 How solar can support demand energy response to create a sustainable power system of tomorrow. Page 14 News In Brief Northern Powergrid plans new energy market UK Distribution Network Operators are setting out plans to transform their businesses in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the energy transition. Page 2 Argentina draws $3 billion renewables investment Argentina is expecting up to $3 billion to be invested in its renewable energy sector following its latest RenovAr auction. Page 4 S. Korea invests in clean, decentralised generation South Korea is investing in technologies that will boost the contribution of clean renewable generation from its household sector. Page 6 Spain at odds over coal closures The Spanish government is opposing plans by Iberdrola to shut down coal fired power plants, according to reports. Page 7 Russia ready for Egypt’s nuclear build Russia and Egypt have signed a deal paving the way for construction to start on Egypt’s first nuclear power plant. Page 8 BP switches on to solar BP is once again hoping to become a major player in solar energy six years after abandoning its solar panel manufacturing business. Page 9 Fuel Watch: Yamal LNG puts Russia on path to larger role in global market Page 12 Technology: Pushing the combined cycle envelope The introduction of the Siemens HLclass gas turbine marks the next step in the evolution of combined cycle plant efficiency. TEI Times visited the company’s Berlin facility to hear the thinking behind the launch. Page 15 Advertise advertising@teitimes.com Subscribe subscriptions@teitimes.com or call +44 208 523 2573 Final Word Marriages can be complicated, says Junior Isles Page 16 Macron unites world leaders behind Paris Macron: Calls to “make the world great again” Pledges of financing to tackle the worst effects of climate change, made at the One Planet Summit, underline the world’s commitment to the accord struck in Paris. Junior Isles World leaders, businesses and sustainability supporters marked the second anniversary of the Paris climate agreement by making a series of financial commitments to help tackle climate change. At the One Planet Summit in December, French President Emmanuel Macron called on the international community to “make the world great again” by getting world leaders together to ensure plans to tackle climate change remain on track. Mohamed Adow, Christian Aid’s International Climate Lead, said the summit “sent a clear message” to the world that countries, states, cities, businesses and civil society are firmly committed to their Paris commitments and are coming good on their promises, with or without the US. “Where there is political will, money flows and this summit has started to see that crucial green finance uncorked. The global demand for clean technology is a great investment opportunity for private investors but also for development banks and leaders that want to see their countries prosper.” During the summit, Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy unveiled a series of “climate-smart” investments for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood countries worth €9 billion. They are part of the EU External Investment Plan, which was adopted in September to boost climate investment in partner countries in Africa and the European Neighbourhood. These are countries located east and south of the EU, including Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine. Three areas are being targeted for investment. The first area is sustainable cities, referring to projects such as waste management, water, sanitation and sustainable urban planning. The second is sustainable energy and connectivity to support new lowcarbon energy projects, climate-resilient energy infrastructure and reduce energy poverty. The third is sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient agri-business. UK Prime Minister Theresa May also announced new climate change policies to help vulnerable nations affected by climate change. The Prime Minister said £30 million will be allocated to the Department for International Development’s Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED). Additionally, £87 million will be provided to the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) Programme of the Department for International Development. May said it was Britain’s duty to aid countries that are disproportionally affected by deforestation and vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events associated with climate change. “There is a clear moral imperative for developed economies like the UK to help those around the world who Continued on Page 2 Electricity sector commits to accelerate clean energy transition Eurelectric, the association representing the European electricity industry, has set out a new long-term vision for the electricity industry in Europe. National associations and Chief Executives from all major power companies in Europe have agreed a Vision Declaration that commits the sector to accelerate the clean energy transition, taking a leading role in Europe’s decarbonisation efforts towards the Paris Agreement. Francesco Starace, Eurelectric President and CEO of the Italian energy group Enel said the industry sees a great opportunity on the path towards a progressively decarbonised and fully sustainable European energy future and that electricity is playing a growing role in making this vision happen. “We are determined to accelerate the energy transition through a progressive electrification of Europe’s energy consumption while making the European power sector carbonneutral well before mid-century,” he said. With the new vision the sector strengthens its commitment to invest in clean power generation and other transition-enabling solutions and, importantly, to help accelerate CO2 emission reductions in other sectors through increasingly efficient use of clean electricity. “Electrification of heating, transport and industry is a win-win. It comes with higher efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. We should do everything possible to advance electrification with smart regulation,” said Magnus Hall, CEO of Vattenfall and Vice-President of Eurelectric. The rise of digital solutions and decentralised generation technologies have been centre stage in the discussions over the new vision. They are widely believed to have profound impacts on the organisation of the sector and on the relations between companies and customers. Alistair Philips-Davies, CEO of SSE and Vice-President of Eurelectric noted: “The investment required in clean electricity and transition-enabling technologies is huge. This statement reflects our full commitment to invest in innovation, to build new cross-sector business models, and ensure that electricity keeps creating value in decades to come.” The announcement follows a comprehensive consultation process, which engaged company CEOs and industry representatives from across Europe. The final declaration received unanimous support at its adoption. Eurelectric said it demonstrates the “unwavering commitment” from the power sector to play a key role in the transition to a sustainable, smart and energy efficient society. The organisation called on policymakers to do their utmost to ensure a fair and responsible transition, both socially and geographically, and provide the necessary support and funding to address any socio-economic impacts. THE ENERGY INDUSTRY TIMES is published by Man in Black Media • www.mibmedia.com • Editor-in-Chief: Junior Isles • For all enquiries email: enquiries@teitimes.com
Energy Industry Times January 2018
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