The global economy is projected to grow 5.5 percent in 2021 and 4.2 percent in 2022.

Global natural gas demand is projected to increase by 2.8% in 2021 (about 110 bcm), thus reaching slightly above its 2019 level.

European share indexes opened in the red. The STOXX 600 was down around 0.3% on the day

Economic growth and the lessening of pandemic-related restrictions result in more energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions. EIA expects total energy-related CO2 emissions to increase to 4.8 billion metric tons in 2021 and 4.9 billion metric tons in 2022.

Existing nuclear technology could already produce hydrogen at below USD2 per kg, and a new generation of advanced small modular reactors could achieve the 90 cents per kg target price potentially by 2030.

A hydrogen strategy, due in Q1 or Q2 this year, avoids the UK becoming "a wonderful R&D hub with multibillion-dollar industries created elsewhere,"

The Czech government has approved the creation of a CZK150bn (€5.8bn) modernisation fund to invest in renewable energy sources,

South Africa intends to launch three tenders for 6.8 GW of renewable energy sources and 5 GW of new coal, gas, and storage projects in 2021-2022.

In 2020, Germany installed 1,431 MW of new onshore wind capacity (+46%), raising the total installed onshore wind capacity to 54.9 GW

Brent was down 28 cents, or 0.5%, at $55.60. WTI fell 26 cents, or 0.5%, to $52.51.