adelphi’s Post

ICYMI, the more notable #energycooperation elements of the U.S. - Japan alliance announced during President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's meeting focus on the development of #floatingoffshorewind. Large scale deployment of this technology is critical to ensuring #Japan's transition towards an economy powered by #cleanenergy. "The United States and Japan recognize that the #climatecrisis is the existential challenge of our time and intend to be leaders in the global response. Towards our shared goal of accelerating the clean #energytransition, we are launching a new high-level dialogue on how we implement our respective domestic measures and maximize their synergies and impacts, including the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) Promotion Strategy aimed at accelerating energy transition progress this decade, promoting complementary and innovative clean energy supply chains and improving industrial competitiveness. Today we announce Japan joins as the first international collaborator of the U.S. Floating Offshore Wind Shot. We intend to work together towards global ambition in line with the Wind Shot, taking into consideration national circumstances, through the Clean Energy and Energy Security Initiative (CEESI) to pursue innovative breakthroughs that drive down technology costs, accelerate decarbonization, and deliver benefits for coastal communities. The United States welcomes Japan’s newly-launched industry platform, the Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA), aiming to reduce costs and achieve mass production of floating offshore wind through collaboration with academia." Link to announcement: https://lnkd.in/er4PNK6a More on Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association: https://lnkd.in/eGpPWSDb More on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Offshore Wind Shot: https://lnkd.in/eHCv_W4N #IRA #offshorewind Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

I am happy to share our first article with Anna V. Filipova for Transitions on the Kremlin Playbook in Moldova and the persistent energy and climate security risks related to it. Some of our key messages are: - The resilience of the Ukrainian energy system in the face of the Russian invasion has demonstrated that close energy market integration with the EU, which enables diversification of gas and electricity supplies, is the most powerful tool for protection against Moscow’s energy and economic blackmail. - The EU accession process serves as both a catalyst and a challenge. Moldova must work to align its policies with common EU principles while overcoming internal and external obstacles. The country should focus on key anti-corruption measures for limiting political interference in the management of state-owned energy companies and increasing the financial transparency of regulatory decisions.

This report (link below) is for those in the offshore wind industry active in Scotland who still don't understand (or prefer not to see, for commercial reasons) why it matters very much to pay attention to geopolitics, particularly when it comes to considerations in relation to the offshore wind supply chain in the UK. As the authors point out, while the EU still officially regards China as “a partner for cooperation, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival”, it is time - thanks to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how China has responded to this - to add another category, one that labels China also as a security threat to Europe. "Europe needs to present Beijing with a starker choice: either it continues helping Russia and faces consequences, or it begins curbing support for Russia’s war efforts and continues to enjoy close trade links with its key economic partners." The report should also be read by those in the business community in Scotland who took fright at news that The City of Edinburgh Council had planned to forge a "friendship agreement" with the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung. #geopolitics #offshorewind #Scotland #China https://lnkd.in/euECUrew

About #diplomacy & #hydrogen: Ukraine stands at a crossroads. The need to diversify our #EnergySector and break free from dependence on traditional sources like russian gas is more critical than ever. This is where hydrogen enters the scene. But unlocking its potential requires a strong diplomatic hand. Today, I had the opportunity to share my experience on the critical role of diplomacy in Ukraine's energy future with diplomats at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. Ukraine has already made strides in the #energy sector. The country boasts a significant #RenewableEnergy capacity, with #wind and #solar playing an increasingly important role. However, these sources are variable, and a stable energy mix requires solutions for #EnergyStorage. Here's where hydrogen comes in. Produced using renewable electricity (#GreenHydrogen), it offers a clean and efficient way to store excess energy and generate power when needed. To fully embrace this opportunity, Ukraine needs international #cooperation. Diplomacy is crucial for securing investments in research and development, sharing knowledge and expertise. Imagine a future where Ukraine exports green hydrogen produced from its abundant renewable resources. This would not only strengthen our energy #independence but also create new economic opportunities. International partnerships can help make this vision a reality. The EU #HydrogenStrategy, for instance, presents a promising framework for collaboration on hydrogen development and Ukraine was already designated as a priority partner. Bilateral Memorandums of Understanding with key players like the UK, USA, Germany and Japan further solidify Ukraine's commitment to international partnerships in the energy sector. These #partnerships open doors to knowledge sharing, joint research initiatives, and potential investments in renewable energy infrastructure. As the global energy landscape evolves, Ukraine's proactive diplomatic engagement will be pivotal in shaping a prosperous and #sustainable energy future.

The G7+ countries have promised their support for the Ukrainian energy sector and praised the sector’s reforms, which will allow the attraction of private investment. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the head of Japanese diplomacy, Iwao Horii, held the fourth ministerial meeting in the G7+ format to confirm collective support for restoring and protecting Ukraine’s energy sector in wartime conditions. The group considered the supply of critical equipment that Ukraine will need to stabilize its electricity grid and ensure the continuity of essential services such as heating and water treatment. In addition, it is noted that the G7+ partners positively assessed Ukraine’s efforts in key reforms, including adopting a regulation on the integrity and transparency of the wholesale energy market and antimonopoly legislation to create a favorable business environment. This will help attract “significant private sector investments necessary to transform Ukraine into a clean energy center, part of the global energy supply chain, and a member of the EU in the future.” https://lnkd.in/dzyFdvrB

🌍 ENERGY CHARTER TREATY: Proposal for Suspension by the European Commission 📜 On March 27, the European Commission announced a proposal to partially suspend the application of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) between the EU, Euratom, and legal entities owned or controlled by Russian or Belarusian citizens. This decision comes in the context of sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus due to their involvement in the war in Ukraine. 🇷🇺🇧🇾 The ECT, which came into force in 1998, is a multilateral trade and investment agreement in the energy sector. It has recently faced criticism for its incompatibility with the EU’s climate objectives. Although Russia and Belarus are not contracting parties to the ECT, their investors could use companies based in ECT member states to challenge the actions of the EU or its member states. The Commission’s proposal aims to exclude the benefits of the ECT for legal entities connected to Russia or Belarus that do not have significant business activities in the region where they are established. It also denies benefits for any investment related to these countries. #EU #EnergyCharter #Russia #Belarus #Sanctions #Energy #Investment #Climate

The working history series of Energy Politics examines the influence of the increasing state control over Russia’s energy market in the early 200’s that would provide the foundation for Bilateral government-to-government relations are and will continue to be the favoured format without major efforts from all sides to engage in multilateral dialogue.

China and Europe should expand cooperation in new energy and green industries, according to participants at a forum in Beijing. Despite rising protectionism and global uncertainties, the two regions should continue to promote bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation in various fields. European companies are ahead in technologies such as wind power, hydrogen power, and carbon capture, while China has made great strides in green and low-carbon development. Collaboration in the green sector will not only drive technological innovation but also uphold economic multilateralism and free trade. #AsiaRisk #ShiftingGeopoliticalAlliances #China Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gjgEC7pb

In January, as part of #GlobalGateway: the EU and Central Asian countries agreed on building blocks to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.   The Central Asian & European Hydrogen Diplomacy Forum on 23 May in Astana, Kazakhstan built on this agreement and facilitated a dialogue between Central Asian countries plus Azerbaijan and Georgia on how to make #PtX an important factor for the economic development of each country, how it can be a vector for closer partnership within the region and intensify trade with the European Union. Frank Mischler, Director at the PtX Hub, emphasised that Central Asian countries should use #greenhydrogen to defossilise their economies and prioritize rapid deployment of renewable energy. In Session 3: "Policies on Green Hydrogen", he highlighted the importance of regional cooperation to develop a reliable and transparent certification system for green hydrogen. The forum was a significant step forward in advancing #greenhydrogen as a sustainable energy solution for #defossilisation and achieving energy security across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. Key discussion points of the panel: ➡The role of green hydrogen in Central Asia and the Caucasus ➡ Decarbonisation and economic diversification strategies ➡Policy alignment for green hydrogen certification and regional cooperation H2-diplo - Decarbonization Diplomacy #HydrogenDiplomacy