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Fire breaks out in Russia's Ust-Luga Port after drones from Ukraine cause damage
Russian officials reported that the Ust-Luga port, which is one of Russia's largest petroleum export outlets, was damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, which ignited a fire. Ukraine intensified drone strikes on Russia's oil export infrastructure in the last month. These attacks included Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea, and?Primorsk, and Ust-Luga, on the Baltic Sea. These attacks caused severe oil supply disruptions for Russia, which is the second largest oil exporter in the world. They also hit Moscow at a time when oil prices were above $100 per barrel because of?the Iran War. The Governor of Russia's Leningrad Region in the north said that there were waves of Ukrainian drone strikes on the area, and a fire broke out at the port?Ust-Luga which was also attacked by drones Wednesday. According to sources, the port operated by Russian oil monopoly Transneft handled around 700,000 barrels of oil per day. In 2025, it is expected that 32.9 million tons of oil-based products will be shipped. Ukraine's SBU agency for security said that?long-ranged drones hit an oil terminal in Ust-Luga. In a statement, it said that the strike had caused "serious damage" to the port and set off a fire. I was not able to verify the extent of the damages immediately. Reporting by. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Potter and Mark Faulconbridge)
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Oman claims that no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks on its territory
Oman's Foreign Ministry?said Sunday that it?"condemns" attacks on its land, adn that no one has claimed responsibility. Authorities are investigating "sources and motivations" of the attacks, without giving any further details or naming a specific attack. Oman reported on Saturday that a worker had been injured in a drone attack at the Salalah port of the Gulf nation. Danish container shipping company Maersk later announced it temporarily halted operations?at the Salalah port?after the attack. Iranian media reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Saturday they had targeted a U.S. Support vessel "considerably" away from Salalah Port. The statement continued, "As we have stated previously, the Islamic Republic of Iran respects Oman's national sovereignty." On March 11, drones ?struck oil storage facilities ?at Salalah port. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, told Oman's Sultan in a telephone call that an investigation would be conducted into this incident. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman, Menna Alaa el-Din, Jaidaa taha)
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After being located by the Mexican Navy, two humanitarian aid vessels safely reach Havana
The Mexican Navy reported that two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico reached Havana safely on Saturday. They had been delayed by bad weather, and were briefly reported as missing. After authorities watched their final approach, the navy confirmed that the sailboats had docked in Cuba's capital. The Mexican Navy reported earlier that a maritime surveillance plane spotted the sailboats after they were reported missing on Thursday. They were located on 'Friday, about 80 nautical miles (148km) northwest of Cuba. The crews said they were in good shape but that the 'unfavorable' weather conditions, especially winds, had slowed them down. The two boats were part of a convoy that was delivering food, medicine and baby formula to the Caribbean’s largest island. This is despite a U.S. blockade of oil shipments, which has caused power outages to worsen. A spokesperson for Nuestra América Convoy stated that the vessels were continuing their journey towards Havana. The convoy is on track to fulfill its mission - delivering desperately needed humanitarian aid for the Cuban people. The sailboats that were supposed to arrive between March 24 and 25 in Havana, Cuba, have not arrived since they left Isla Mujeres on Saturday. U.S. Coast Guard told French Press Agency AFP that the boats were found on 'Friday but later retracted its statement saying a search is still 'under way. This caused confusion. Nuestra America, or "Our America", is a coalition of nearly 300 organizations, including non-governmental groups and political parties, from over 30 countries. The group has sent approximately 20 tons of aid to Cuba by air and sea, including bicycles, solar panels, food, medicine, and solar panels. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Alistair Bell; Rod Nickel, Natalia Siniawski. Additional reporting by Dave Sherwood in Mexico City.
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Vice President Vance is the winner of CPAC's straw-poll for 2028 Presidential election.
The 'Conservative Political Action Conference is the top pick?this year? for?the next?U.S. A straw poll conducted on Saturday revealed that the next president of the United States will be Vice President?JD Vance. Vance was chosen by 53% of the attendees at this year's CPAC Convention. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was ranked'second' with 35%, at CPAC. This is a major gathering for Republican lawmakers, activists, and presidential hopefuls. CPAC, who is holding the event this year in Grapevine Texas, attracts a large number of conservative Republicans. The straw poll it conducts each year is not necessarily a reliable indicator of who will be the nominee. The poll is a snapshot into where the 'energy' currently lies in core supporters of Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement. Trump is not eligible to run again in 2028, as he is currently serving his second term. (Reporting and editing by Sergio Non, David Gregorio, and Nathan Layne from Grapevine Texas)
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Kuwait airport damaged by drones. Radar system damaged. No casualties reported
Kuwait 'International Airport 'was targeted by multiple drone attacks Saturday, causing significant damage to the radar system, but resulting in no injuries, according to state news agency KUNA, citing Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority. Later, the spokesperson for the authority said that the attacks were perpetrated by Iran and its proxies as well as the armed groups it supports. Kuwait's fire department, meanwhile said a??fire? that broke out??? in fuel tanks at an airport on Wednesday after a previous drone assault had been extinguished AFTER 58 CONSECUTIVE HOURS, KUNA reported??on Saturday?. Tehran launched strikes on Israel, as well as on Gulf Arab states that host U.S. military bases. Israel has launched attacks on Hezbollah fighters who are aligned with Iran in Lebanon. The Houthis of?Yemen have started launching missiles against Israel to?support Iran.
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Sources say that Italy's Poste wants to meet with Telecom Italia over the takeover bid
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Saturday that Poste Italiane?has requested a meeting at which the chief executive of the postal services group, Matteo Del Fante, could present its 10.8 billion euro ($12 million) cash and share bid for the former telephone monopoly. Poste, a state-backed conglomerate, announced last Sunday a plan to privatize TIM and create a digital champion in the country. This would strengthen the control of critical data for households and corporations by the government. The offer was not previously agreed upon with TIM. Sources said Del Fante had sent a request to TIM directors asking for an opportunity to present the offer. Poste, which offers services in logistics, payments, broadband, insurance, and financials, forecasts 700 million euro of annual benefits from the merger. Poste would gain control over TIM's network of data centres and its cybersecurity division Telsy. This deal would expand Poste's digital services for consumers, large businesses, and governments. Sources said that TIM's 'directors' will discuss Del Fante’s request during a meeting scheduled for Sunday. They added that the presentation of the bid 'was expected to happen in the next few weeks'. Poste and TIM declined to comment. On Sunday, TIM directors will also be expected to select advisers who will help them assess?Poste bid. Sources said that the TIM board will also decide on a?premature termination of a contract with Inwit for a long term, similar to a move made by Swisscom?s?Fastweb?. Poste is TIM’s?leading shareholder with 27%?of its ordinary share capital. This stake will drop to close to 20% when TIM converts special shares that it has outstanding in ordinary stock.
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The thieves steal 12 tons KitKat bars from Europe
Nestle, a Swiss food giant, said that thieves stole the truck carrying 12 tons of KitKat bars in Europe. Nestle's KitKat said that the truck carrying 413 793 bars of their new chocolate range set out from central Italy to distribute the chocolate across Europe but never arrived at its final destination, Poland. The vehicle as well as the merchandise are still missing. Nestle has not revealed where the truck went missing. In a separate announcement, KitKat said that the bars missing can be traced via a unique batch code. Anyone who scans the batch numbers of?the stolen bars will receive instructions on how?to contact KitKat. KitKat stated that "cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of every size." (Writing and editing by Dave Graham)
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Bloomberg News reports that Saudi pipeline bypasses Hormuz and pumps 7 million barrels per day of oil.
Bloomberg News reported that Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which circumvents the Strait of Hormuz and pumps?oil to its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day, according to a source familiar with the issue. Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia exports 5 million barrels of crude oil a day from its Yanbu port, located on the?Red Sea. The country also exports 700,000 to 900,000 barrels per day in oil products. Could not verify the report immediately. Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil company, did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser had earlier told reporters on a March earnings call that it was expected the East-West pipe to reach its full capacity 7 million bpd within the next few days as customers reroute. Conflict in the Gulf Region, triggered by U.S. The conflict in the Gulf region,?triggered by?U.S. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This has trapped a fifth of the world's oil supplies and liquefied gas, sending crude oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel. (Reporting and editing by Jan Harvey in Bengaluru, and Joe Bavier.)
China's fast renewables rollout hits grid limits: Kemp
China's recordbreaking deployment of wind and solar capability has actually gotten worse local power imbalances, requiring the nation to idle increasing amounts of eco-friendly generation when it overwhelms local intake.
New federal government guidelines aim to decrease the quantity of sustainable generation that needs to be deserted by increasing long-distance transmission links and better coordinating generation plans throughout provinces.
Given that completion of 2018, China's overall producing capacity has increased by 1.137 billion kilowatts (kW), compound annual growth of 9%, according to data from the National Bureau of statistics (NBS).
Thermal capability, mainly from coal-fired plants but some from gas-fired generators, rose by 257 million kW or 4% per year ( China analytical yearbook, NBS, 2023).
Many capability additions, nevertheless, have originated from what the federal government calls brand-new energy sources - wind farms (277 million kW, 19% annually) and solar generators (517 million kW, 29% per year).
Increased penetration of intermittent renewables is making it more difficult to handle an across the country transmission system that was currently fighting with large local imbalances between generation and load.
The solution to variable wind and solar output is to smooth out variations across a bigger number of generators spread over much bigger locations of the nation, which will need more transmission and much better scheduling.
LONG-DISTANCE TRANSMISSION
For years, the country has actually been characterised by huge west-to-east electrical energy transfers from interior locations with surplus generation to the huge load centres on the east and south coasts.
Ten provincial-level locations in the east and south (Liaoning,. Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang,. Fujian and Guangdong) accounted for 50% of nationwide intake. however just 40% of generation in 2022.
By contrast, six remote and sparsely populated northern and. western locations (Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu. and Ningxia) represented 18% of intake but 25% of. generation.
Chartbook: China local electrical energy transfers
In reaction, China's State Grid Corporation has constructed. a network of ultra-high voltage transmission lines to move power. thousands of kilometres from surplus areas in the west and north. to deficit areas in the east and south.
While doing so, China has ended up being the world leader in. ultra-high voltage transmission to move electricity over long. distances while minimising line losses, and is exporting its. know-how worldwide.
INNER ASIA'S ENERGY ABUNDANCE
China's northern and western locations are a few of the least. populated and poorest parts of the nation, but abundant in energy. resources, generally coal and now progressively gas and. renewables.
The north and west contains the nation's essential. coal deposits and has become a significant centre of pit-head. generation, with some electrical power utilized in your area by heavy. market, and the rest transmitted east and south.
Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Xinjiang alone accounted. for 81% of coal mine production and 25% of all thermal. generation in 2022, according to information from the NBS.
In a peculiarity of fate, the dry and windswept northern and. western plains and deserts are likewise the best sites for giant. wind farms and solar parks.
Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Xinjiang together with. neighbouring Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai represented 42% of all. wind and solar generation in 2015.
But the addition of a lot wind and solar generation in a. region already saturated with coal-fired power threatens to. overwhelm the transmission system.
During peak durations of wind and solar generation, there is. not enough population and industry in these areas to soak up all. the output, and not enough long-distance transmission capacity. to move the surplus east and south.
MORE TRANSMISSION AND PREPARATION
In 2016, the nationwide utilisation rate for new energy. sources was up to a record low of 84%, prompting the main. government to introduce a Clean Energy Absorption Action Strategy to. minimize the waste of eco-friendly resources.
The strategy focused on improvements in regional distribution,. long-distance inter-provincial transmission, and energy trading. to decrease the curtailment of brand-new energy generation.
By 2023, the utilisation rate for wind power had actually climbed to. a remarkable 97.3% and solar had reached 98%, according to the. state-run news firm Xinhua.
With quick implementation of eco-friendly capacity, however, the. problem of abandonment is reappearing, with wind utilisation. down to 96.1% and solar down to 96% in the very first 5 months of. 2024.
Sliding utilisation has prompted an alert from the National. New Energy Intake Monitoring and Early Caution Center. ( Solving the discomfort points and difficulties of brand-new energy. consumption, Xinhua, July 1, 2024).
The action is likely to be comparable, with renewed emphasis. on integrating renewables at local level and more transmission. capacity to move surplus power across provincial limits.
In the last 2 years, main federal government policy statements. have actually consistently focused on the requirement for better coordination of. transmission and generation in between provinces.
DEVELOPING A TRULY NATIONAL SYSTEM
In an indication of the importance attached to the issue, the. Communist Celebration's Politburo held a group research study session on brand-new. energy innovation and energy security on Feb. 29, 2024.
The session, combining leading central and regional. leaders, consisted of a conversation on enhancing the grid's capability. capability to incorporate, disperse and regulate clean energy.
President Xi Jinping stressed requirement for coordinated. advancement of the energy sector ( Xi stresses high-quality. advancement of brand-new energy, CPC International Department, March. 2, 2024).
In many methods, China's long-distance UVDC transmission system. is an amazing engineering achievement, likely to be copied. in other parts of the world as increasingly more renewables are. connected to grids.
It has enabled a remarkable penetration of periodic. renewables, along with hydroelectric generation, into the. nationwide power system while keeping or enhancing. reliability.
As an outcome, wind and solar producers supplied 15% of all. generation in the very first 5 months of 2024, up from 7% in the. exact same duration in 2019.
In some ways, nevertheless, China is still struggling to create a. genuinely integrated across the country system from fragmented. provincial-level energies that pursue their own top priorities.
If government strategies to achieve even greater renewables. penetration are to be achieved, there will have to be much. better links and more coordination in between various types of. generators and throughout far wider areas.
John Kemp is a market expert. The views expressed. are his own. Follow his commentary on X https://twitter.com/JKempEnergy.
(source: Reuters)