Bloomberg Japan will ban imports of Russian coal, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, in a bold policy shift that adds pressure on Moscow after the European Union announced its own embargo on the fuel. “Russia’s cruel and inhumane actions are coming to light one after another all over Ukraine,†Kishida told reporters in Tokyo, adding Moscow must be made ...
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EU nations freeze $32b in Russia-linked assets
Bloomberg European Union nations have frozen some 29.5 billion euros ($32.1 billion) in assets linked to Russian and Belarusian individuals and entities since the bloc adopted its first sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU’s new “freeze and seize†task force said that more than half of the bloc’s 27 member nations have informed it about the measures they ...
Read More »Nigeria ship blast followed $200m debt trail
Bloomberg The owners of an oil-production and storage ship had a history of financial problems before the vessel blew up in Nigerian waters two months ago. The Trinity Spirit, which caught fire on February 2, burned for more than 24 hours and left a stain of crude stretching for miles across the Atlantic Ocean. While the cause of the ...
Read More »France would halt gas power stations first if Russia cuts supply
Bloomberg France would first halt large gas-fired power plants if any Russian supply disruption creates a shortage, while households would be the last in line, according to the country’s main gas-transmission network operator GRTgaz SA. European governments are preparing plans to prevent a massive hit on their economies should an increasingly isolated Russia halt gas flows ahead of next ...
Read More »Germany warns it will act to secure sufficient gas-storage operators
Bloomberg Germany will step in if gas-storage operators fail to fill facilities sufficiently to comply with new requirements, as the government takes a tougher line to secure supplies for next winter. Under the new rules — approved by the upper house of parliament on Friday and due to take effect from May 1 — operators must fill storage facilities ...
Read More »EU to propose banning Russian coal imports after atrocities
Bloomberg The European Union is planning to propose a mandatory phaseout on coal imports from Russia in a direct response to reports that Russian forces committed apparent war crimes in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter. The action on coal would be added to a package of steps aimed at strengthening existing measures and correcting loopholes that was ...
Read More »Poland shuns gas in new plan over coal comeback
Bloomberg Poland’s plan to quickly cut down on coal as its main electricity fuel may take longer than expected as the country seeks to limit its investments in gas-fired power units. The European Union’s most coal-reliant nation intends to increase the usage of power plants fired by the dirty fuel “in short- and mid-term,†the State Assets Ministry said in ...
Read More »Germany offers state guarantees to lure buyers for Gazprom unit
Bloomberg Germany is seeking a buyer for Gazprom PJSC’s unit in the country by offering state-backed loans for private companies willing to take parts of or the entire business, according to a person familiar with the matter. The German government is in talks with private buyers interested in Gazprom Germania GmbH or some of its units, which include energy supplier ...
Read More »Singapore’s N-power goal ‘decades away’
Bloomberg Singapore’s contemplation of a potential nuclear power plant will depend on next-generation technologies, a move that indicates the goal is still decades away from fruition. The island state says so-called small modular reactors or other next-generation nuclear technology have the potential to be much safer than many of the plants in operation today, Minister of State for Trade ...
Read More »UK to unveil energy revamp with focus on nuclear, wind
Bloomberg The UK will detail plans to broaden its energy sources as the war in Ukraine, sanctions on Russia and a cost-of-living crisis forces countries across Europe to urgently revamp how they generate electricity and heat homes. The main focus will be on nuclear and wind power, two industries that haven’t been short of controversy. Government minister Grant Shapps ...
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