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Energy
Oil is the outlier in the world’s post-COVID energy recovery
The interplay of market forces and political choices for 2021 is clearly at play in global energy markets this year. A growing focus on energy security is boosting coal and renewable consumption. How will this impact the ongoing recovery in global energy supply? Continue Reading
The Art of the Deal … in Arabic
The Saudi leadership won a major concession from the U.S. while making a largely symbolic change in oil policy at last week’s OPEC+ meeting — and kept Russia on board with the plan. Consumers (and politicians) hoping for relief from rising prices at the pump are likely to be disappointed. Continue Reading
How Power Contract Transparency Can Help Fight Poverty and Climate Change
Secret power purchase agreements result in more expensive and less reliable electricity in many emerging markets. Nondisclosure often leads to over capacity and substantial debt risk, while discouraging investment and slowing deployment of new clean energy projects. Creating a global norm for PPA transparency is a zero-cost way to deliver the high-energy low carbon future we all need. Continue Reading
Climate lessons from faltering Texas power grid
Climate change is straining both supply and demand of electricity not just in Texas but globally. Only by transitioning away from the fossil fuel plants that exacerbate warming can we build back better grids and achieve a more affordable, reliable and resilient power supply than ever before. Continue Reading
2022 Ocean Shipping Reform Act: The Cure Is Worse Than the Disease
The U.S. Senate’s recent unanimous vote to approve the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 seems like a good sign — but is it? The likelihood of unintended consequences and long-term repercussions resulting from this legislation may prove troublesome. Continue Reading
Is Saudi Arabia Quietly Trying to Help Europe’s Oil Consumers?
The Saudi leadership has repeatedly rebuffed requests from President Biden and leaders of oil-importing countries to accelerate production increases. But recent price differentials could signal an intent to quietly steer crude into Europe to replace Russian supplies. Continue Reading