RIYADH: Germany’s concerns over the EU’s nuclear power plans are causing uncertainty in the sector, while initiatives by businesses such as Lamborghini, Fortescue, and Kufpec show some companies are taking green concerns on board.
Looking at the bigger picture:
- The German government has formally vocalized its objection — in a letter to Brussels — regarding the EU taxonomy plan which aims to recognize nuclear power plants as a green energy source, Reuters reported. The planned move is considered perilous, costly, and lacks safety requirements in the eyes of the German government.
Through a micro lens:
- Italian manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs, Lamborghini has devoted 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) to shift its lineup from pure combustion vehicles to plug-in hybrids as of 2023, Bloomberg reported. The sports car manufacturer aims to introduce its initial plug-in hybrid car in 2023 amid efforts to fully convert its lineup to battery powered models by 2024.
- Australian iron ore firm Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. has acquired $223 million of the technology and engineering business service Williams Advanced Engineering Ltd., allowing it to access battery technology, Bloomberg reported.The fourth largest iron producer worldwide will use the acquisition to propel the advance of net zero emissions as well as having electric haul trucks instead of diesel models.
- Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co., better known as Kufpec, has announced its first discovery in an offshore block of natural gas and a light form of oil — known as condensate — in Indonesia, Bloomberg reported. This comes after triumphant drilling in 88 meters of water in the Anambas-2X well.
- Nuclear electric power generation company Electricite de France SA will generate the least amount of atomic power in 30 years due to technical issues in its plants, Bloomberg reported. This will diminish neighboring countries' access to French power exports, posing a great risk for energy security across the European continent.
