by Francois PICARD with Glenn CHAPMAN in San Francisco © Agence France-Presse AUSTIN, United States (AFP) — Tesla welcomed throngs of electric car lovers to Texas Thursday for a huge party dubbed a “cyber rodeo” to inaugurate a manufacturing plant the size of 100 soccer fields. Photos and videos flooded Twitter as guests explored the cavernous factory plant decked out in a distinctive nightclub look. Visitors mingled under red and blue lights while production […]
Tag: energy
Canada announces billions in new climate spending
OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) – More electric vehicles and green energy were among the measures Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out Tuesday under a multibillion-dollar plan for how Canada will meet its carbon emissions target. In a speech in Vancouver announcing Can$9.1 billion (US$7.3 billion) in climate actions, the prime minister linked Europe’s desire to wean itself off Russian oil and gas after the invasion of Ukraine to a broader global push toward renewable energy. “The […]
Germany looks to farm fumes in breakup with Russian gas
by Florian CAZERES Agence France-Presse RIBBECK, Germany (AFP) – As Germany scrambles to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, the pungent fumes from the manure and other organic waste in Peter Kaim’s farm could be part of the solution. An hour’s drive west of Berlin, a strong smell emanates from three large cylinders in the middle of a muddy field on Kaim’s property shared with 100 dairy cows. Every day, tonnes of organic waste — […]
Russia insists on ruble payments for gas after G7 outcry
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) –Russia reiterated Tuesday that it will only be accepting payment for gas deliveries to the EU in rubles after G7 ministers called this arrangement “unacceptable”. “Nobody will supply gas for free. This is just impossible. And it can only be paid for in rubles,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “Companies must understand the completely changed environment that has arisen in the conditions of the economic war waged against Russia,” he […]
Germany moves to wean itself off Russian energy
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany said Friday it was drastically slashing its energy purchases from Russia amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with oil imports to be halved by June and coal deliveries to end by the autumn. “In recent weeks, together with all relevant players, we have made intensive efforts to import less fossil energy from Russia and broaden out our supply base,” said Economy Minister Robert Habeck. “The first important milestones have been […]
Germany bets on tax relief, cheaper trains to combat energy crisis
by Michelle FITZPATRICK Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) – Germany’s coalition government unveiled a slew of measures Thursday to ease the burden from soaring petrol and heating bills, from a 300-euro ($330) energy subsidy to the “cheapest ever” public transport for 90 days. The relief package — agreed after days of wrangling between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, the ecologist Greens and the liberal FDP — comes as Germany tries to reduce its reliance on […]
Dutch firm Eneco says no more Russia gas contracts
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) – Dutch energy firm Eneco said Tuesday the company would not enter into new contracts with Russian gas suppliers over the war in Ukraine. In a statement, Japanese-owned Eneco said it would honour existing contracts but “under these circumstances” would not ink new deals with Russian suppliers. The company estimates that some 15 percent of the gas it supplies to its 5.6 million customers comes from Russia. Eneco chief executive As Tempelman […]
Plastic pollution cuts power in DR Congo
by Ricky OMBENI Agence France-Presse BUKAVU, DR Congo (AFP) – Among rolling hills around the southern tip of majestic Lake Kivu, huge layers of plastic waste ride the water and block the turbines of the largest hydroelectric plant in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ruzizi dam is polluted by thousands of bottles, cans and other objects thrown into the lake, which stretches 90 kilometres (56 miles) along the border between DR Congo and Rwanda. […]
Germany to ‘fast-track’ gas terminals as part of Qatar deal
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) – Germany has committed to “fast track” the construction of two liquefied natural gas terminals as part of a new long-term deal with Qatar as it looks to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the Gulf state said Sunday. Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck secured the accord during talks in Doha with its emir and energy minister who have been pressing European nations to strike long-term deals to guarantee their supplies. European states […]
LNG projects in the Gulf of Mexico boosted as Russian gas alternative
by François PICARD Agence France-Presse HOUSTON, United States (AFP) – Two years ago, the American liquified natural gas (LNG) company Tellurian was in free fall: Its stock price collapsed, it laid off 40 percent of its staff, and suspended a key project in Louisiana. Now, executive chairman Charif Souki says investors “are lining up at the door to ask me: ‘Can we finance your project?’” At the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Souki told […]
France announces 2.0-bn-euro fuel aid package
by Jérémy MAROT / Juliette VILROBE Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) – The French government has announced a package worth 2.0 billion euros ($2.2 billion) to help consumers struggling with soaring fuel prices, with the cost of filling up set to be cut at the pump. French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced late Saturday that petrol and diesel prices would be reduced by 15 centimes per litre. The bill will be slashed by this amount […]
Germany in a quandary over Russian energy
by Sophie Makris Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) – Germany has rejected a complete ban on Russian gas and oil imports over Russia invading Ukraine, but voices are growing louder for Berlin to ditch its economic imperative to take a moral stand. After the United States and Britain imposed a ban on Russian oil, pressure has mounted on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government and other G7 members to follow suit. A group of climate activists, […]





