Energy consumption is linked direct to economic activity. According to Eurostat the most significant drop in European energy consumption – 5.8% – occurred in 2009 and is attributed by the agency “to a lower level of economic activity as a result of the global financial and economic crisis”, although in general the consumption of energy continues to grow […]
A key factor in current gas policy is the fight for the European gas market, which is becoming increasingly politicized. It is very evident that this market requires substantial re-structuring, linked to the consequences of American sanctions policy and changes in the system of gas transport routes, even if not all the transport options announced […]
German politicians’ faint hopes that the administration of new US president Joe Biden would replace wrath with favour have been dashed by an icy Transatlantic reality. Washington continues to take an intransigent stance and threaten European participants in the project with sanctions. But Berlin is still trying to withstand the pressure and save face, by […]
For decades, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) has carried a promise that sounds almost mythic: to build a machine on Earth that can safely and controllably reproduce the physics of the Sun at an industrial scale. Hosted in Cadarache in southern France, the project is still the largest fusion experiment ever attempted and remains […]
Venezuela’s recent political upheaval has triggered renewed attention in global energy markets, but oil prices remain muted, with Brent crude trading around $60 per barrel. According to analysts, this muted reaction reflects broader supply conditions rather than a lack of concern about Venezuelan instability. Political Earthquake, Limited Price Reaction The U.S. military’s operation to capture […]
For some time, Azerbaijan has been seen as one of Brussels’ allies in its efforts to diversify energy imports. However, the situation appears to have stalled, with multiple factors converging to limit the participation of Azeri gas in the European energy mix. In this article, we assess the potential of this partnership. The grand plans […]
Europe had grown used to living from winter to winter. Once gas storage facilities were filled and January passed, survival was assured. When Europe finally turned the page on Russian gas in 2023–2024, it felt like a victory—an escape from the worst kind of dependence. But the celebration was short-lived. At that very moment, Europe […]
Europe is facing new challenges in the energy sector that are fundamentally reshaping its strategy. The pivotal decision to abandon energy supplies from Russia opens the door to a deeper transatlantic partnership. The US is emerging as a confident leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and is ready to provide reliable, long-term exports. For […]
This November, COP30 convened in Belém, Brazil — marking a historic milestone as the first COP summit to place artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies at the heart of its agenda. While traditional disputes, such as those surrounding fossil fuel use, once again stalled negotiations over the final political agreement, AI emerged as a rare […]
The EU has decided to expand its list of sanctioned goods and add a ban on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from Russia to the already extensive list of foreign trade restrictions. Although Russia’s share of supplies is small, the ban could nevertheless be a destabilising factor for a number of sectors of the European economy.
The energy landscape in Europe is undergoing a profound transformation. The European Union is striving to meet ambitious climate goals, but in the meantime the region’s reliance on cleaner fossil fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to increase significantly. This article explores the complex dynamics at play, focusing on the intersection of the EU’s green agenda, growing demand for LNG, and the geopolitical challenges that shape Europe’s energy security.
The energy debate in Germany has taken on a new urgency as the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) surges in the polls, challenging the country’s green energy transition. Known for its strong opposition to the Green Party’s and the government’s climate policies, the AfD has managed to sharpen its political profile, capitalizing on growing public concerns over the economic and social costs of Germany’s ambitious energy goals.
With the acceleration of a project to mine lithium – a key metal for electric mobility – in its Jadar region, the small Balkan country of Serbia has been given a chance to become a key player in the European, and also the global economy. At the same time, rarely has any project caused such a powerful public backlash: news of new protests and comments from experts and politicians are appearing in the world media on an almost daily basis. Will Serbia be able to overcome public hostility and move towards becoming a major lithium powerhouse?
At the beginning of this year, it became known that Ukraine would not renew its contract with Russia for the transit of Russian gas to Europe. This contract, which expires on 31 December 2024, covers the transportation of 225 billion cubic metres of fuel over five years. Most of the Russian gas flowing to Europe was channelled through this pipeline. However, Kyiv has now made it clear that it has no intention of providing Moscow with transit capacity. While Europe was quick to express verbal support for this decision, Russia still anticipates the possibility of an extension to the agreement.
