21. September 2023 / / 0 Comments In August 2023, the German energy market experienced record-breaking electricity generation from wind and solar. However, this is not the only thing that is causing problems for coal. In the meantime, the increased CO2 prices also mean a significant competitive disadvantage for fossil energy generation. Gas and oil prices did not settle down in August either. The LNG strike and OPEC production cuts drove prices up.
30. June 2023 / / 0 Comments 
May 2023 held some exciting news for the energy industry. The German Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, presented a working paper on the industrial electricity price. While industry representatives praise the concept, there are also critical voices. In May, the French National Assembly voted in favor of more nuclear power. In addition, the EEX published the first market-based index for hydrogen.
5. June 2023 / / 0 Comments In April 2023, there were some remarkable developments in the energy markets. The EU is paving the way for a stringent ETS (Emissions Trading System). In mid-April, the last nuclear power plants were shut down, effectively sealing the fate of nuclear power in Germany. The EU platform for centralised gas procurement is now accepting its first offers. Despite suboptimal weather conditions, renewable energy sources reliably continue to deliver electricity.
19. September 2022 / / 0 Comments In August 2022, the energy market shows price records in short-term trading due to news about the Nordstream 1 pipeline. Price records are also set on the futures market. The traffic light coalition puts together a third relief package. The introduction of the gas procurement levy leads to a heated discussion.
10. August 2022 / / 0 Comments 
Energy markets remain in turmoil in July 2022 due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with prices in the short-term and futures markets fluctuating as a result of new developments. Energy company Gazprom cuts supplies by half. To reduce Germany’s dependence on Russian gas, there are plans to bring back hard coal and oil-fired power plants that are waiting in the grid reserve. The Bundestag initiated a new amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act, where the expansion targets for renewable energies were raised.
12. July 2022 / / 0 Comments The German Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Habeck has declared the second of three warning levels of the Emergency Gas Plan. Besides that, the EU Parliament agreed on a reform of emissions trading. Finally yet importantly, the tenders for onshore wind turbines were unsubscribed for the first time in three bidding rounds. A bullish mood prevails on the short-term markets as well as on the futures markets.
After comparing the major European countries, this post is about two smaller ones: Portugal and Denmark. Both are pioneers in renewable energy. However, Denmark outperforms the larger Portugal where natural gas still plays a significant role, as a look at the figures shows. Both countries have ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030.
The energy markets remain in turmoil because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Besides that, the short-term and futures markets continue to react to new developments with price fluctuations. With the REPower package, the EU is outlining a path to independence from Russian fossil fuels towards the accelerated expansion of renewable energy sources. In addition, the Federal Network Agency has announced the results of the tenders for second segment solar plants and the innovation tender.
