Power supply crisis to lift Ecuador’s GHG emissions

: Emissions
24/12/19

Ecuador's greenhouse gas emissions have likely risen in 2024 as the country grappled with an ongoing power supply crisis because of severe droughts, interim energy minister Ines Manzano told Argus.

Although the government has yet to calculate the exact percentage increase in GHG emissions, Manzano confirmed the increase after six months of droughts that led to a significant decline in hydropower output and extensive daily power outages of 3-14 hours from 23 September-20 December.

Thermoelectric plants consumed an average of 26,560 b/d of diesel, fuel oil, natural gas and crude residue from January-October 2024, a 35pc year-on-year increase, Petroecuador data show.

This trend is expected to continue through the end of the year as Ecuador will have installed and rented an additional 400 MW of thermoelectric capacity, including land-based plants and power barges by December. This expansion represents a 5pc increase in the country's total installed power capacity.

In 2023, thermoelectric power plants emitted 3.7mn t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), marking a year-on-year increase of 48pc, data from the energy ministry show. Drought-related challenges also led to 35 days of blackouts from October-December 2023, increasing reliance on thermoelectric power. That year, emissions from thermoelectric plants accounted for 9pc of the 43mn t of CO2e emitted by the energy sector, up from 6pc in 2022.

The outlook for 2025 suggests little relief from the current trend. By April 2025 the government plans to bring online an additional 1.3GW of thermoelectric capacity, compared with April 2024, while adding only one new hydroelectric plant — the 204MW Toachi-Pilaton.

By Alberto Araujo

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24/12/20

Australia’s Cleanaway, LMS to produce landfill gas

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Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

24/12/19

Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

Adds updates throughout Washington, 19 December (Argus) — US president-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for a rewritten spending bill that would avoid a government shutdown but leave out a provision authorizing year-round 15pc ethanol gasoline (E15) sales. The bill — which Republicans rewrote today after Trump attacked an earlier bipartisan agreement — would avoid a government shutdown starting Saturday, deliver agricultural aid and provide disaster relief. Trump said the bill was a "very good deal" that would also include a two-year suspension of the "very unnecessary" ceiling on federal debt, until 30 January 2027. "All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote 'YES' for this Bill, TONIGHT!" Trump wrote in a social media post. Passing the bill would require support from Democrats, who are still reeling after Trump and his allies — including Tesla chief executive Elon Musk — upended a spending deal they had spent weeks negotiating with US House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). Democrats have not yet said if they would vote against the new agreement. "We are prepared to move forward with the bipartisan agreement that we thought was negotiated in good faith with House Republicans," House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) said earlier today. That earlier deal would have kept the government funded through 14 March, in addition to providing a one-year extension to the farm bill, $100bn in disaster relief and $10bn in aid for farmers. The bill would also provide a waiver that would avoid a looming ban on summertime sales of E15 across much of the US. Ethanol industry officials said they would urge lawmakers to vote against any package without the E15 provision. "Pulling E15 out of the bill makes absolutely no sense and is an insult to America's farmers and renewable fuel producers," Renewable Fuels Association chief executive Geoff Cooper said. If no agreement is reached by Friday at 11:59pm ET, federal agencies would have to furlough millions of workers and curtail services, although some agencies are able to continue operations in the event of a short-term funding lapse. Air travel is unlikely to face immediate interruptions because key federal workers are considered "essential," but some work on permits, agricultural and import data, and regulations could be curtailed. The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has funding to get through a "short-term" shutdown but could be affected by a longer shutdown, chairman Willie Phillips said. The US Department of Energy expects "no disruptions" if funding lapses for 1-5 days, according to its shutdown plan. The US Environmental Protection Agency would furlough about 90pc of its nearly 17,000 staff in the event of a shutdown, according to a plan it updated earlier this year. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: Foundations laid for increased VCM liquidity

24/12/19

Viewpoint: Foundations laid for increased VCM liquidity

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Indonesia’s Pertamina seeks UCO for SAF output

24/12/19

Indonesia’s Pertamina seeks UCO for SAF output

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UK government underlines its commitment to net zero

24/12/18

UK government underlines its commitment to net zero

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