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Donald Trump is due to sign executive orders aimed at boosting the US coal industry today

Trump to sign orders to boost US coal industry - sources

US President Donald Trump will sign executive orders today aimed at boosting the nation's coal industry, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Business • 08 Apr

The ESB has been given approval to convert the Moneypoint coal-burning power station in Co Clare to Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)

Moneypoint gets approval for conversion to HFO generator

An Bord Pleanála has granted the green light to the ESB to convert the 900MW Moneypoint coal-burning power station in west Clare to Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO).

Business • 03 Oct 24

Global electricity demand is set to grow at its fastest pace in nearly 20 years in 2024 due to increased demand for air conditioning

Increased cooling demand to keep coal plants online - IEA

Global electricity demand is set to grow at its fastest pace in nearly 20 years this year, spurred by increasing demand for air conditioning as temperatures rise, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report today.

Business • 19 Jul 24

While LNG is cleaner than coal, it also produces greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming

World demand for liquefied natural gas jumps 50% by 2040

Energy group Shell has today forecast that world demand for liquefied natural gas would jump more than 50% by 2040, fuelled by China dumping coal.

Business • 14 Feb 24

Power Station Neurath is the largest coal fired power plant in Germany and the second largest power plant in Europe

German finance minister casts doubt on 2030 coal exit

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner today called into question the government's aim to end coal use in Europe's largest economy by 2030.

World • 01 Nov 23

Gas generated 48% of Ireland's electricity in July, new figures show today

Gas demand down by 20% in July - Gas Networks Ireland

New figures today show that gas demand decreased by 20% in July compared to the same month last year, and by 8% when compared to June.

Business • 14 Aug 23

Demand for gas fell by 10% in April compared to the same month last year, Gas Networks Ireland said today

Gas generated 47% of electricity in April

Demand for gas fell by 10% in April compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from Gas Networks Ireland.

Business • 29 May 23

Renewable fuel sources and energy security have taken on a new urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine

G7 ministers set big targets for solar, wind capacity

The Group of Seven rich nations have set big new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity, agreeing to speed up renewable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels.

Business • 17 Apr 23

SFMI has called for additional enforcement measures

Fuel merchants seek crackdown on coal smuggling

An organisation representing solid fuel merchant in Ireland has called for Government action to stem smuggling of coal into the country.

Business • 20 Mar 23

Companies report that some consumers are buying more firewood than usual, while others are considering using their fireplace to heat their homes for the first time

Energy crisis sees demand for firewood rise

Fears of rising prices and energy shortages this winter has led many consumers to stockpile solid fuels, while higher prices are forcing home heating oil consumers to change how they order fuel, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 04 Sep 22

Reduced gas flows from Russia threaten an energy crisis in winter if stores are not refilled

Europe may shift to coal as Russia turns down gas flows

Europe's biggest Russian gas buyers were racing to find alternative fuel supplies and even looking at burning more coal to cope with reduced gas flows from Russia today that threaten an energy crisis in winter if stores are not refilled.

Business • 20 Jun 22

The ban on coal imports will be fully effective from the second week of August, and no new contracts can be signed from Friday

Russia says coal earmarked for Europe can be redirected

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said coal is in high demand, and that Russian coal earmarked for Europe would be redirected to other markets if the EU refused it.

Business • 08 Apr 22

Under the Air Pollution Act, the sale and burning of smoky coal is prohibited in Low Smoke Zones

Smoky coal sold to areas where fossil fuel is banned

The burning of smoky coal in Low Smoke Zones has been prohibited since 2012. But the fossil fuel is still being sold to people in these areas, explains Kieran Dineen.

investigations unit • 07 Apr 22

The EU Commission had initially proposed a wind-down period of three months for existing contracts

EU to push back full Russian coal ban to mid-August

European Union envoys are set to approve a ban on Russian coal that would take full effect from mid-August, a month later than initially planned, two EU sources told Reuters, following pressure from Germany to delay the measure.

Business • 07 Apr 22

The ESB uses coal to generate power at the Moneypoint power station

ESB won't take in Russian coal for 'foreseeable future'

The ESB has said it will not be taking delivery of Russian coal for the foreseeable future.

Business • 05 Apr 22

Russian fertiliser and coal billionaire Andrei Melnichenko

World faces food crisis due to war - Melnichenko

A global food crisis looms unless the war in Ukraine is stopped because fertiliser prices are soaring so fast that many farmers can no longer afford soil nutrients, Russian fertiliser and coal billionaire Andrei Melnichenko said today.

Business • 14 Mar 22

Wheat futures are up nearly 40% in the past month and have climbed to 14-year highs of $11.34 a bushel

Wheat and oil hit multi-year highs on supply woes

Commodity markets extended their strong runs today, with aluminium, coal and palm oil all hitting new records while crude oil and wheat scaled multi-year highs as Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted global raw material flows.

Business • 03 Mar 22

China is the world's biggest coal burner and greenhouse gas emitter

China sees biggest growth in energy and coal since 2011

China recorded its biggest increase in total energy consumption and coal use in a decade in 2021, as the economy recovered from Covid-19 slowdown a year earlier, data from the country's statistics bureau showed today.

Business • 28 Feb 22

HSBC is aiming to cut its exposure to thermal coal financing by at least 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

HSBC says clients must have plan to exit coal by 2023

HSBC, Europe's leading banker to corporate Asia, has today laid out its long-awaited policy on financing thermal coal, and said it expected all its clients to have a plan in place to exit the fossil fuel by the end of 2023.

Business • 14 Dec 21

There were times during the month when wind energy provided over three quarters of the country's energy demand

Wind accounted for 35% of October electricity demand

Wind energy accounted for over a third of total electricity demand in October, according to Gas Networks Ireland's October Demand Statement.

Business • 25 Nov 21

COP26 set to banish coal, Asia builds plants to burn it

On the coastline near India's southern tip, workers toil on a pier carrying a conveyor belt that cuts a mile into the Indian Ocean where the waters are deep enough for ships to berth and unload huge cargoes of coal.

Business • 29 Oct 21

US crude inventories at the Cushing storage hub are at a three-year low

Oil hits multi-year high above $86, then pulls back

Oil hit a three-year high above $86 a barrel today driven by tight supply and a global energy crunch, although prices eased as some investors took profits on signs the rally is looking overstretched.

Business • 21 Oct 21

Gas Networks Ireland's Head of Regulatory Affairs is Brian Mullins

Gas demand remains strong in July, but coal on the rise

Irish gas demand rose by 3% in July compared to June but was 7% lower than the same month in 2020, new figures from Gas Networks Ireland show today.

Business • 26 Aug 21

Most reinsurers have stepped back from offering insurers bespoke or direct cover for coal projects

Reinsurers look at dumping coal from bulk-buy policies

Major reinsurers have already pulled back from providing bespoke cover for coal projects as part of efforts to meet global climate change commitments.

Business • 17 Jun 21

The Cerrejón mine is in northern Colombia

ESB's use of coal from Colombian mine to be probed

An investigation is to be launched by the OECD into the ESB's use of coal from a controversial Colombian mine following a complaint by human rights and environmental non-governmental organisations.

Business • 19 Jan 21

Coal