Japan imported more than 210 million short tons (MMst) of coal in 2018, making it the world’s third-largest coal-importing country after only India and China. Japan continues to use steam coal to fuel one-third of its electricity generation and metallurgical coal for raw steel production.

Primary energy consumption grew at a rate of 2.9% last year, almost double its 10-year average of 1.5% per year, and the fastest since 2010.

Front-month Brent crude futures were at $62.56 at 0707 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4%, from Monday’s close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $53.75 per barrel, 49 cents, or 0.9%, above their last settlement.

The new analysis finds that, on average, the levelised cost of electricity from the coal fleet is less than the levelised cost of new natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), new wind and new solar.

The German energy transition continues to gather pace, reaching a record 47 per cent of total electricity produced in the first five months of 2019, putting it well ahead of its target for 2025, which requires it to meet between 40 and 45 per cent of total electricity consumption from renewables.

Electricity generated from Germany’s coal-fired plants declined by 46 million megawatthours (MWh) between 2000 and 2017, while electricity generated from wind and solar increased by 95 million MWh and 40 million MWh, respectively. Despite these changes, coal remains the main source of generation in Germany. Coal’s share of total generation declined from 50% in 2000 to 36% in 2017, despite slight increases in 2012 and 2013 that were related to Germany’s move away from nuclear power.

Canada is the second-largest importer of energy from the United States, in terms of trade value, behind only Mexico. Energy accounted for $84 billion, or 26%, of the value of all U.S. imports from Canada in 2018.

NOVATEK announced that its joint venture Arctic LNG 2 and TechnipFMC signed a contract on engineering, procurement, supply, construction and commissioning of an integrated liquefied natural gas facility with annual liquefaction capacity of 19.8 million tons under the Arctic LNG 2 project. The contract terms provide for the launch of the first train of the project in 2023.

Despite significant progress in recent years, the world is falling short of meeting the global energy targets set in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030.

The main conclusion of the study was that reduction targets can be achieved even in a non-technology-specific scenario (Evolution) by using the networks. A GHG reduction of 55% by 2030 and 95% by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels) was achieved for the energy industry, buildings and industry €139 billion cheaper than in a highly regulated approach with electrification by means of heat pumps (Revolution).

Brent spot prices will average $70/b in 2019 and $67/b in 2020, compared with an average of $71/b in 2018.

The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and University of Leicester have generated usable electricity from the chemical element americium in what it believes to be a global first. The achievement is seen as a step towards potential use of americium in so-called space batteries, which may mean future space missions can be powered for up to 400 years.

General Electric will build and equip a new 500 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Kosovo

Most of the systems in the U.S. were constructed in the 50s and 60s and they had a life expectancy of 50 years. Today, almost all operate at maximum capacity and they are all stretched to the limit. With population growth, spiraling demand, changes in power generation and mandates for the use of clean and renewable energy sources, change must come quickly.

Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $66 per barrel (b) in March, up $2/b from February 2019. Brent prices for the first quarter of 2019 averaged $63/b, which is $4/b lower than the same period in 2018. Despite lower crude oil prices than last year, Brent prices in March were $9/b higher than in December 2018, marking the largest December-to-March price increase since December 2011 to March 2012.