NEOM: Saudi’s Green Steel Powerhouse Driving Future Industry
I think a lot of people overlook that NEOM is as much a strategic play on future green steel production as it is a weird futuristic city. Also, Saudi is via the project positioning itself to be - in the post oil era - the key swing producer of green steel for the western system . In that context it makes total sense for European manufacturers to potentially relocate a lot of their heavy industry (including dual use production) there. But also, all the talk of the Line project being a flop misses the statecraft in plain sight. Whether it is finished or not THE LINE is the thing that CREATED the demand needed to make that sort of mega green steel construction (that can now be dedicated to all sorts of dual use manufacturing) viable. Like hiding a giant arms manufacturing system in plain sight right next to where you need it. There is also a general western Nowa Huta vibe to it, which becomes all the more genius if there is any breakthrough with fusion tech. Saudi green steel is beyond perfectly positioned to take advantage of such a breakthrough. 👇👇👇
Oil Upside Limited Even With Iranian Embargo, Brent at $115
I'm starting a new weekly video every Saturday morning on markets and macro. The first episode was yesterday. I discussed why upside to oil is limited even if we embargo Iranian oil. Brent at $115 already prices significant disruption. You...
Chokepoint Threats Spark Oil Volatility Opportunities
Smart take from @HolaPrimeTrade on the Hormuz situation 🎯 When key chokepoints get threatened, commodity traders need to be ready. Oil volatility = opportunity for those positioned right. Check https://t.co/pKoy2KGz8x for firms with the best energy trading conditions 🛢️⚡
Certain Cleaning Agents Can Cut PV Output by 5.6%
Fraunhofer CSP warns some cleaning agents may reduce PV module performance by up to 5.6% #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/yfOWVCOjSx https://t.co/PM69r9Hgdg
Subtract 300k Bpd From 2026 Oil Demand Forecasts
⭕️For now, whatever your estimates of global oil consumption growth for 2026, subtract about 300 kb/d from it. This number will change as we move forward.
Embargo Iranian Oil; Cut Funding to War‑fueling Regimes
I support an embargo of Iranian oil. The reason is Russia. We never embargoed Russia. If we had, there's a good chance it wouldn't still be wreaking havoc in Ukraine. You just can't allow the life blood of these regimes...
Oil Shipments Surge Across Gulf Despite US‑Iran War
PHOTO(S) OF THE DAY: Oil loadings across the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea during the US-Iran war. From top left clockwise: Fujairah single point mooring (March 28); Kharg island (March 27); Yanbu (March 24); and Al Muajjiz (March...
Saudi Oil Revenues Rise, No Gold‑selling Crisis
There's lots of misinformation at the moment, including the idea that big Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia are having to sell gold. Saudi Arabia's revenues from oil exports are actually up, because the rise in oil prices more than offsets...
Building Resilient, Intelligent Energy Systems at Gastech2026
Energy security, LNG flows, and rising power demand are back at the center of the global conversation — and for good reason. The challenge today is no longer just about having enough energy, but about building systems that are reliable, affordable,...
New Gas Power Plants Now 3.5× Costlier Than Years Ago
$3620/kW for a massive new gas power complex. Combined cycle power plants are apparently now are 3.5x more expensive than they were just a few years ago, even when building multiple at one site (with govt backing). Rethink the idea...
War‑Driven Energy Shock Pushes Importers Toward Alternatives
As the outbreak of a regional war disrupts global energy markets for the second time in four years, oil & gas importing countries will be motivated to find alternatives; coal, nuclear, renewables and EVs alike, as @bradplumer & Rebecca Elliott...
Renewable Surge Isn’t Cutting Consumer Electricity Costs
Why is the rush into renewable energy not lowering our bills? - The Times and The Sunday Times https://t.co/br5e33MMO9
LNG Shortfall Threatens Global Gas‑Fired Power Generation
Gas-fired generation will be squeezed by LNG shortfall Global gas-fired electricity generation is likely to be among the hardest hit sectors following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the loss of production as a result of damage to two...
UK Cuts Gas Imports Despite Energy Security Risks
Latest instalment in the “Miliband is a moron” series Britain’s gas imports to be cut despite energy security threat https://t.co/EsJkZMM8LL
Hormuz Oil Flow Down 40%, Now Mostly Crude
Pre-war Strait of Hormuz flow (crude + products): ~20m b/d. My updated flow assumptions: Iran: ~1.5m b/d (SoH) UAE: ~1.0m b/d (Fujairah above pre-war) KSA: ~5.0m b/d (Yanbu above pre-war) Plus ~1.0m b/d (Non-Iranian SoH tankers) Plus >2.0m...
Bear Scenario Looms: Oil Spikes, Fed Stuck, S&P Near 6k
Looks like next week is heading towards the bear case scenario I highlighted in my weekly report. Bear case (35% probability): The April 6 deadline produces strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Iran retaliates against Saudi or UAE oil facilities. Brent breaks...
Petrol Prices Seen as Government Profit Scheme, Small Businesses Suffer
People now just realising petrol / oil pricing is another extractive government scheme. And they have no plan to cut duty because this ‘crisis’ is far too profitable. Fortunately I only have to drive to see clients occasionally but small...
Refined Product Stress Spikes, California Diesel Tops $8
Taking stock 1 month into oil market madness: The stress is in refined products. Diesel Price topping $8 in California is picture perfect 👌
Bridging Strategy Gaps in Critical Infrastructure Management
Navigating the High-Stakes World of Critical Infrastructure & Asset Management with Quarterbac "A persistent headache for leaders of utility or transport orgs is the gap between a shiny ten-year strategy & the reality of what happens at the coal face." https://t.co/yQIc5EL8eD
SiteCapture Introduces AI for Automated Solar Documentation
SiteCapture launches AI tool to automate solar field documentation #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/Dx7Xtzh9QF
Unprecedented Energy Crisis Dem
There are no analogues for this energy crisis @MarkHarvey84112 We can only imagine probability distributions & none of them are good I agree with the "think positive part" "Il faut cultiver notre jardin" --Voltaire https://t.co/x0jQ7eaPeA
Japan, Australia Currencies Slide Together
The upside to Japan’s risk aversion – ample petroleum reserves The Yen has weakened against the US$ since the Iran war drove the oil price higher, but so too has the AU$. Japan imports most of its energy needs, so a...
Form Energy Secures 12 GWh Iron‑Air Deal For
Form Energy signs 12GWh agreement to supply multi-day iron-air batteries to new US AI data centres #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/CbNoEqSs6H
Asia's Energy Crunch Fuels Soaring Food Prices, Deepening Poverty
Across Asia there's barely a country untouched by a severe energy crisis Expensive fuel means expensive food "In a region where millions already live in or close to poverty, we may yet only have a glimpse of how bad things can get."
Entso‑E Blames Systemic Failures for 2025 Iberian Blackout
Entso-E report finds systemic failures behind 2025 Iberian blackout #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/n1D5aucAO7
Oil Sparked Rally; Fed and Other
Oil started it. The Fed can't finish it. And two other headwinds that have nothing to do with Iran Full breakdown in new report 👇 https://www.kurtaltrichter.com/p/iran-is-one-problem-this-market-has
Insurers Worry Transformers, Contractor Errors Spark BESS Fires
Why BESS insurers are sweating transformers and contractor errors over battery fires #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/qk5y3I0eVO
Wireless, Integrated EV Charging Redefines Future Mobility
The Future of #EV Charging: Seamless, Wireless, and Beautifully Integrated Energy by @gigadgets_ #Innovation #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #Technology https://t.co/Vv3Q9U169E
Houthis' Missile Threat Could Disrupt Red Sea Oil Flow
FEDWATCH: “.. the Houthis have entered the conflict by launching ballistic missile attacks ..; their next move could be targeting vessels in the Strait of Bab el Mandeb into the Red Sea .. The oil market, rightfully, is sensing that...
Akuo to Complete 80MW/220MWh Portugal Battery Storage by 2027
Akuo building 80MW/220MWh Portugal BESS for 2027 completion #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/gMyF7TBo15
Future View:
guy in the future: “So, how serious is this, on a scale of just noise to that time the Strait of Hormuz got closed?”
Prioritize Flexible, Low‑value Loads over Datacenter Demand
I completely understand why grid operators want datacenters to operate flexibly. BUT....their use of each MWh is very valuable (well, at least I hope it's valuable someday). So shouldn't we be looking for flexibility from less-valuable uses of electricity...
Iberdrola Australia's 360MWh Broadsound BESS Starts Commissioning
Iberdrola Australia’s 360MWh Broadsound BESS begins commissioning in Queensland #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/G6a89unsaA
China’s Battery and EV Exports Surpass Solar, Defying Tariffs
China's cleantech exports are surging. A couple observations: 1. All of this is from before the US invasion of Iran and current oil price spike. We should expect these numbers to keep growing, especially EVs. 2. US tariffs haven't stopped China's...
March 28, 1979: Three Mile Island Releases Radioactive Gases
#ThisDayInTechHistory. March 28, 1979. The Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station reactor accident began at 4 am releasing radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the #Environment. (NY Times) #JVGpost https://t.co/fyt34fTUCa
Past $90‑$100 Oil Deemed Normal, Now Sparks Panic
Pretty wild how WTI crude oil averaged $90-$100 from late 2010 to late 2014.. and everyone just assumed that was normal. Total freakout today... (even with significantly higher average and median hourly earnings) https://t.co/L6XCC4Wf8y
Gas Prices Near $4, Expected Spike to $4.20 Soon
Gas prices steady under $4, but I think the average will jump quickly to $4.20 by mid next week @gasbuddy @gasbuddyguy https://t.co/AWxp7hHZsD
Canada's 100% Renewable Goal Needs <0.2% Land
Moving Canada to 100% WindWaterSolar for all energy purposes (eliminating fossils+nuclear) requires only 0.19% of Canada's land, much less than used just for oil+gas wells in Alberta+BC alone and much less than the tar sands area. https://t.co/yt6XQ531Fu https://t.co/qST8Lj4LRX https://t.co/lwuOl8LGzW
Cheaper Power Options for 100‑300 Hour At‑risk Needs
Yup so many cheaper options to provide power for the 100-300 hours most at risk.
Ukraine's Battery Storage Outlook Turns Bright
‘Absolutely bright’ future for battery storage in Ukraine #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/QWHIyvrdgG
Fertilizer Shortage Triggers Crop Switch, Exposes Biofuel Policy Flaws
Given the nitrogen fertilizer shortages leading to more corn to soybean planting switches, I'll bet the eventual cost of the biofuel mandates is more than this. An idiotic policy.
Risk, Not Geography, Keeps Hormuz Closed
Who is WE @tangobastogne ? The opportunity to secure Hormuz passed in late February Now it’s risk that keeps it closed, not geography How can WE eliminate the risk of drones, mines & fast boats? WE cannot
Europe Must Drill Oil and Gas Immediately
As the Battle for #Hormuz continues, European consumers are getting hammered by soaring oil and natural gas prices. Why? Europe’s leaders have outsourced their energy security. The path forward is obvious: #Europe has to start drilling for #oil and gas...
Strategic Control of Hormuz Matters More than Degrees
If you don’t have a pitcher, you forfeit the game and go home @LukeGromen If you can’t secure Hormuz, you don’t start a war that puts it at risk. You don’t need a military degree to know that. An energy degree is...
Hormuz Controls Global Economy; Oil Flow Secures War Viability
Let me be clear @LukeGromen: Hormuz is the global economy. If you couldn’t secure oil flows, you had no business starting a war that could put the world here. No aspirations. Just hard reality.
Pipeline Transports Crude; Unclear How Much Is Refined
Everything that I've seen about the pipeline is that it can only carry crude. There is refining capacity on that side of Saudi, but - open question - what portion of the pipeline crude coming to Yanbu is being refined...
Molecular Anchors Boost Perovskite Solar Durability in Temperature Swings
Molecular anchors have been shown to stabilize perovskite solar cells, significantly reducing performance loss during rapid temperature changes and enhancing their durability for long-term outdoor use. solarenergy
Trump's Oil Policy: Up the Hill, Down Again
Trump as the grand old Duke of York, who marches oil up the hill and then marches it down again. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/SmXQ2Cvd7I
Buffett’s OXY Deal Delivers Dual‑Benefit Returns
Buffett’s Occidental ($OXY) deal is one of the cleanest examples of “have your cake and eat it too” investing. Let’s break down the real return Berkshire is getting 👇
Avoid Price Spikes: Train Energy Decision‑makers Now
Producers don’t want price spikes like this (including Iran) because it increases chances of substitution and demand destruction. This requires investment into training of energy decision makers/staff.