| Florida Power & Light's 409-MW/900-MWh Manatee Energy Storage Center is one of an emerging fleet of U.S. battery stations. Source: Florida Power & Light Co. |
SPOTLIGHT
➤ 25 GW of energy storage planned to hit US grid through 2023
Despite a snarled supply chain that forced significant project delays, U.S. developers of large-scale energy storage stations installed more batteries in 2021 than ever before — a trend that appears poised to continue.
➤ Utilities scale up renewable natural gas purchases, expand project portfolios
Gas utility operators are ready to become bigger players in the renewable natural gas market this year as customers expand commitments to procure low-carbon fuels.
➤ ESG investors warm to nuclear power after EU green label award
Europe's ethical investors may soften their attitude toward nuclear power after the carbon-free technology won EU recognition as a sustainable activity.
➤ Europe's push to wean off Russian gas opens doors for renewables developers
As European utilities and power providers race to reduce exposure to Russia, some renewable energy developers are poised to benefit from a potentially accelerated transition to cleaner fuels.
➤ EU plan to slash Russian gas imports 'difficult but doable'
EU measures to reduce Russian gas imports will provide a welcome boost to Europe's rollout of renewable energy, but introducing taxes on windfall profits could create significant uncertainty for investors, according to analysts and industry groups.
CHART SPOTLIGHT
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest "Electric Power Monthly" report, utility-scale generation, net of hydroelectric pumped storage, fell 1.4% year over year in December 2021 to 339.7 million MWh.
MARKETS & FINANCE
NextEra, Invenergy, EDF among top 10 wind, solar developers in US
Surging European prices for LNG raise fears in market about end users' viability
Cheniere selling spot LNG volumes in Europe at discounts
Inflation drives new interest in merchant risk for European renewables investors
Rapid change in green energy space challenges private equity, investment banks
POLICY & REGULATION
PJM urges New Jersey to tread carefully with CO2 rule for power plants
EU unveils sweeping plan to end Russian gas dependence, boost renewables
US EPA revives California's right to set climate rules for passenger vehicles
Congress reaches deal to boost funding for DOE, Interior, EPA
Shareholder advocacy group gives most top US utilities an 'F' on climate
|
LISTEN UP How the U.K.'s approach to women on boards is improving gender diversity In this week's episode of the ESG Insider podcast, S&P Global speaks to Denise Wilson, chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review. Wilson describes how the decision to routinely and openly publish data naming and shaming companies that fall short of suggested gender-balance targets has acted as a nudge, persuading more businesses to appoint female board directors to meet growing investor and societal expectations on diversity. Episodes of ESG Insider are available on iTunes, Spotify and other podcast platforms. |
PROJECTS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Developers add nearly 13 GW of new US wind capacity in 2021
Gas utilities get to work piloting hydrogen use in distribution systems
Ga. lawmakers advance bill allowing Georgia Power to securitize nuclear costs
Freeport LNG plans to give train 4 expansion the go-ahead by early 2023
Venture Global LNG begins construction of 2nd US export terminal
OPERATIONS & STRATEGY
War reveals flaws in 'cliff transition' to clean energy – ConocoPhillips CEO
Algonquin sees green pipeline fueling growth, not 'closing any doors' on M&A
Sempra Infrastructure chief meets with EQT as exporter pursues LNG expansion
PG&E, GM join forces to harness electric vehicles as backup power
Atlantic LNG market participants weigh impacts if EU bans Russian LNG imports
S&P Global Commodity Insights produces content for distribution on S&P Capital IQ Pro.