Global energy demand rises by 20 percent; market demand trends differ for OECD and non-OECD

Renewable electricity achieved a power-sector milestone in 2018, surpassing 20% (249 gigawatts [GW]) of U.S. total electricity generating capacity (1.2 terawatts [TW]) for the first time, according to the 2018 Renewable Energy Data BookPDF. Since 2009, renewable generation in the United States has increased by a factor of five.

China's nuclear electricity generation rose by 18.1% last year

The Dutch government plans to reduce gas extraction from the Groningen gas field in 2020 from the expected 11.8 bcm to 10 bcm,

The China's state-owned company will spread a total renewable investment of CNY 58 billion (USD 8.3bn/EUR 7.6bn) between 25 new projects in 14 provinces and regions

Based on more than 7,500 survey responses from consumers in the U.S. and Canada throughout 2019, here are three themes on the needs of today's energy consumers:

Yet ratepayers have not been able to benefit from these significantly lower costs of clean energy

Brent fell by $1.42, or 2.4%, to $57.08 a barrel, WTI fell by $1.26, or 2.4%, to $52.12.

Renewable power production in Argentina jumped by 85.9% year-on-year to 956 GWh in January

Brazil's solar power output in the first 15 days of the month went up to 587 average megawatts (MWa) from 495 MWa a year ago for a 18.6% increase.

Despite slower regional and global growth, real GDP grew 3.3 percent in 2019 and is forecast to grow by 3.4 in 2020 led by internal demand. Sustained immigration, remittances, and accommodative monetary and credit conditions are expected to continue supporting private domestic demand, including rising investment. Notwithstanding growth resilience, the labor market remained weak in 2019.

URUGUAY'S GDP growth is expected to rebound from an estimated 0.5 percent in 2019 to 2.1 percent in 2020 and 2.5 percent in 2021

U.S. Rig Count is up 1 rig from last week to 791, Canada Rig Count is down 11 rigs from last week to 244

Brent was down 64 cents, or 1.1%, at $58.67 a barrel, WTI dropped 54 cents, or 1%, at $53.34 a barrel.

Despite the partial recovery, oil prices are still far below the level many OPEC members need for their budgets to balance.