New Zealand boosts coal-fired generation in Jul-Sep

Spanish Market: Coal
13/12/24

New Zealand's power providers ramped up coal-fired generation during the July-September quarter, according to data from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), because of weaker hydroelectric generation.

New Zealand's energy producers generated more coal-fired power between July-September compared to the same period of last year as hydropower storage levelsslid across the country to a low of approximately 1,600GWh in August. Producers generated 884GWh of coal-fired power during the quarter, more than doubling on the year. This accounted for 8pc of the country's electricity generation during the quarter. In comparison, coal accounted for 3pc of the power mix in the same quarter a year earlier.

The country's electricity authority in July reported that New Zealand's coal stockpile was relatively low at 140,000t, but producers had used 363,513t to generate electricity by September, indicating that imports were supporting the increased demand. New Zealand's coal imports increased by more than fourfold on the year in July-September, with importers shipping over 477,379t of sub-bituminous coal into the country, according to data from the MBIE. In comparison, the country imported 240,305t of coal over the whole of 2023.

Some power providers started preparing to increase their use of coal generators early this year. New Zealand's largest utility Genesis Energy in May announced it plans to import coal into the country for the first time since 2022, following a drop in gas and hydroelectric production.

Major utility Meridian Energy reported in October that water levels at the Lake Pūkaki – New Zealand's largest hydroelectric storage lake – hovered below 91-year averages between May-August. But "all the rain [Lake Pūkaki] missed from April to August finally arrived in September," the company's general manager of wholesale, Chris Ewers, said.

New Zealand's state-owned transmission provider, Transpower, has recorded increases in hydropower storage levels since late August, limiting the need for further coal generation. Storage levels in both the North Island and South Island currently exceed January levels.

The country's appetite for coal has grown alongside a loosening of fossil fuel restrictions. New Zealand's current government decided to weaken coal mine consenting rules during its first round of planning reforms in late 2023, in an attempt to boost production. The government amended the Resource Management Act to allow miners to construct coal mines that affect wetlands, when previously mines affecting wetlands were banned.

Resources minister Shane Jones in June introduced legislation to restart offshore oil and gas exploration across the country, reversing the previous government's ban. "Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on… especially during peak electricity demand and when generation [from intermittent sources] dips," he said.

By Avinash Govind

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17/12/24

Alabama lock to remain closed until spring

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US river lock closures may delay product deliveries

13/12/24

US river lock closures may delay product deliveries

Houston, 13 December (Argus) — Mid-Mississippi River and Illinois River locks are expected to undergo long-term closures starting next month, slowing down some commodity deliveries. Three locks around the St Louis, Missouri, and Granite City, Illinois, region will be closed for repairs for up to three months starting 1 January, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Mel Price Main Lock, where the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi River, and Lock 27's main lock, where the Missouri flows into the Mississippi, will also be closed from 1 January through 1 April. The Mel Price Main Lock will commence the final phase of replacement for its upstream lift-gate. Replacement of embedded metals will occur during the closure for Lock 27's main lock. Lock 25 will have a shorter closure date for a sill beam and guide-wall concrete installment from 1 January through 2 March. This is the first lock on the upper Mississippi River, after the Illinois River. These closures are expected to be more of a nuisance than a deterrent for commodity traffic, according to barge carriers. Ice in the river is likely to have melted by mid-March, which may cause barge carriers to wait in the St Louis harbor for the locks to open. Two other lengthy closures are anticipated on the Illinois River beginning on 28 January. The Lockport Lock — the second to last lock on the Illinois River — will be fully closed from 28 January through 25 March for full repairs to the sill and seal of the lock. The prior lock, Brandon Road Lock, will be closed during weekdays over the same time period, but traffic can pass through over the weekend. The lock closures and repairs are expected to delay some barge shipments, specifically to the Great Lakes and Burns Harbor. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US rail group optimistic about 2025 rail demand

12/12/24

US rail group optimistic about 2025 rail demand

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Republicans weigh two-step plan on energy, taxes

06/12/24

Republicans weigh two-step plan on energy, taxes

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US House panel approves river infrastructure bill

06/12/24

US House panel approves river infrastructure bill

Houston, 6 December (Argus) — A US House of Representatives committee has approved a bipartisan bill that authorizes improvements to navigation channels by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and maintenance and dredging of river and port infrastructure projects. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) after several months of political wrangling to integrate earlier versions of the legislation approved by the House and Senate . The bill will head to the full House next week, said committee chairman Sam Graves (R-Missouri). This would be the sixth consecutive bipartisan WRDA bill since 2014 if passed by congress. WRDA is a biennial bill that authorizes the Corps to continue working on projects to improve waterways, including port updates, flood protection and supply chain management. WRDA will also "reduce cumbersome red tape", which will allow for quicker project turnarounds, Graves said. The bill authorizes processes to streamline work, he said. The bill also adjusts the primary cost-sharing mechanism for funding for lock and dam construction and major rehabilitation projects. The US Treasury Department's general fund will pay 75pc of costs, up from 65pc, with the rest coming from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which is funded by a barge diesel fuel tax. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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