Latest news with #Utilities
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Fossil fuels show staying power as EU clean energy output dips
LITTLETON, Colorado, July 10 (Reuters) - Utilities across the European Union cranked output from natural gas and coal-fired power plants during the opening half of 2025, boosting power sector emissions and reversing recent energy transition momentum. The upswing in fossil production follows two years of steep declines in fossil use within the EU, which established Europe as a global leader in efforts to curb reliance on polluting fuels in power production. However, year-on-year drops in output from wind farms and hydro dams deprived EU utilities of key sources of clean power during January to June, and forced them to compensate with sharply higher generation from fossil fuel plants. This abrupt reversal in EU fossil fuel use highlights the challenge facing even modern energy systems when weather patterns impede clean power supplies, and suggests that fossil fuels may stay rooted in global power systems for years more. EU utilities generated 13% more electricity from fossil fuels during January to June compared to the same period in 2024, which was the largest annual increase in fossil output for that period since 2017, data from think tank Ember showed. Gas-fired generation climbed by 19% to the highest in three years, while coal-fired output rose by 2% to two-year highs. The higher gas and coal combustion resulted in power emissions rising by 9% from the year before to 297 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and means that the EU could discharge nearly 600 million tons of CO2 this year if the current burn pace is sustained. The main triggers of the higher fossil fuel use were steep declines in clean power supplies tied to weather conditions across Europe since late 2024. Output from wind farms, which accounted for close to 20% of EU electricity supplies during the first half of 2024, registered the largest year-over-year fall on record during January to June, dropping by 9% to 225 terawatt hours (TWh). Sustained low wind speeds at turbine level - especially in Germany which is home to over 30% of EU wind farm capacity - were the main drag on wind power production. At the same time, below-expected snow and rainfall over the winter in Europe resulted in a 15% year-on-year drop in electricity output from hydro dams, which accounted for around 15% of EU electricity supplies last year. The roughly 164 TWh of hydro electricity output during January to June was 28 TWh less than during the same months in 2024, and was the lowest in two years for that period. A 21% or 32 TWh increase in EU solar power electricity supplies helped provide some cushioning for utilities against the drops in wind and hydro generation. The 179 TWh of electricity output from EU solar farms during the first half of 2025 was a record, and marked the first time that the EU's solar farms produced more electricity than the region's hydro dams during the January to June window. And steady increases in installed solar capacity look set to lift solar-powered electricity supplies to new heights over the coming months, ensuring that clean energy advocates in the EU will have something to celebrate. However, the deep and enduring drops to wind and hydro output are also a major cause for concern, especially as climate trends indicate that further deviations in weather patterns from previous averages can be expected. Steadily rising average temperatures are resulting in steadily declining snow coverage at low altitudes across Europe, and are pinching regional hydro dam output - despite hydro dam capacity in the EU hitting a record last year. And while climate change is triggering more intense storms in many areas, it is also causing more frequent wind droughts as the temperature differential between the Earth's poles and tropical areas narrows. This phenomenon - known as Global Stilling - is a major worry for energy planners who have been banking on large scale wind farms playing a dependable role in clean electricity generation over the coming decades. If wind speeds regularly slow to a crawl for months on end, and hydro networks continue to get only meagre snow and rainfall during the winters, EU energy suppliers will struggle to keep up with demand - even if solar output keeps climbing. That in turn means that regardless of long-term ambitions to wean power systems off fossil fuels, natural gas and coal will likely remain integral tools for EU utilities for the foreseeable future. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis of everything from swap rates to soybeans. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, opens new tab and X, opens new tab.
Middle East
4 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Gov't preparing housing options for displaced tenants under new Rent Law
CAIRO, July 9 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said that the government is preparing housing alternatives for tenants affected by the new Rent Law, with solutions that suit different income levels. During a meeting at the cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouli instructed officials to begin a housing program for eligible tenants, with units to be prepared before the seven-year transition period ends. For his part, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sherif el Sherbiny, presented the ministry's plan to implement the rent law, including conditions for priority housing applications. He added that the Social Housing Fund will launch an online platform within a month to receive applications from tenants over three months. The minister noted that the goal is to assess housing needs and compile a list of applicants and the required housing units. Applications can be submitted online or on paper. Sherbiny confirmed that applications will be reviewed carefully, with digital and field checks to determine eligibility. He presented available land and proposed housing units for the program. (MENA) H A T/S R E
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DTE Energy (DTE) Could Be a Great Choice
Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments. While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases. Based in Detroit, DTE Energy (DTE) is in the Utilities sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 7.88%. Currently paying a dividend of $1.09 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 3.35%. In comparison, the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield is 3.3%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.53%. Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $4.36 is up 5.1% from last year. Over the last 5 years, DTE Energy has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 1.80%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. DTE Energy's current payout ratio is 60%, meaning it paid out 60% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend. Earnings growth looks solid for DTE for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $7.21 per share, with earnings expected to increase 5.56% from the year ago period. Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout. Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, DTE is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report DTE Energy Company (DTE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
NiSource Appoints Durgesh Chopra Vice President of Investor Relations
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today announced the appointment of Durgesh Chopra as Vice President of Investor Relations, effective July 7. In this role, Durgesh will strengthen NiSource's relationships with the investment community and effectively communicate the company's financial performance and strategic direction. Durgesh has over 15 years of experience in the utilities, infrastructure and renewables sectors. Most recently, Durgesh served as Managing Director at Evercore, where he led equity research coverage of the Power & Utilities sector. Prior to that, he was Director of Investor Relations at American Water, where he played a key role in shaping the company's investor messaging and outreach. 'Durgesh combines deep investment community insight with hands-on experience in regulated utilities. His ability to communicate complex financial strategies and his dedication to serving communities align perfectly with NiSource's mission to deliver safe, reliable energy to our customers,' said Shawn Anderson, Chief Financial Officer. NiSource looks forward to Durgesh's leadership in advancing its investor relations efforts and continuing to build strong relationships with the investment community. About NiSource NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.3 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across six states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. The mission of our approximately 7,700 employees is to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers. NiSource is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index and is on Forbes lists of America's Best Employers for Women and Diversity. Learn more about NiSource's record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities it serves and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner at The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this document or any other report or document NiSource files with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC').
Globe and Mail
02-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Analysts Offer Insights on Utilities Companies: Duke Energy (DUK) and Aris Water Solutions (ARIS)
There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Utilities sector as 2 analysts just weighed in on Duke Energy (DUK – Research Report) and Aris Water Solutions (ARIS – Research Report) with bullish sentiments. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Duke Energy (DUK) In a report released today, Nicholas Campanella from Barclays maintained a Buy rating on Duke Energy, with a price target of $122.00. The company's shares closed last Monday at $118.00, close to its 52-week high of $121.47. According to Campanella is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 9.4% and a 62.9% success rate. Campanella covers the Utilities sector, focusing on stocks such as Public Service Enterprise, American Electric Power, and Pinnacle West Capital. ;'> The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Duke Energy with a $131.38 average price target, implying a 12.7% upside from current levels. In a report issued on June 25, Goldman Sachs also upgraded the stock to Buy with a $132.00 price target. Aris Water Solutions (ARIS) In a report released yesterday, Spiro M. Dounis from Citi upgraded Aris Water Solutions to Buy. The company's shares closed last Monday at $23.65. According to Dounis is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 8.0% and a 63.2% success rate. Dounis covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as Venture Global, Inc. Class A, Enterprise Products Partners, and Cheniere Energy Partners. ;'> Currently, the analyst consensus on Aris Water Solutions is a Strong Buy with an average price target of $28.60.
