Spain includes SAF, marine fuels in renewables targets

Spanish Market: Biofuels, Hydrogen, Natural gas
17/07/24

Spain will start counting sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and marine fuels towards its renewable energy targets, the government said.

Starting from the 2024 financial year, SAFs and marine fuels will count toward meeting targets for sale or consumption of biofuels. A multiplier of 1.2 will be applied to the energy content of the fuels.

An EU-wide SAF mandate will come into effect in 2025 that will set a minimum target of 2pc. The target rises to 6pc from 1 January 2030 and to 20pc from 1 January 2035, with a minimum share of 5pc of synthetic aviation fuels.

The law defines synthetic aviation fuels as certified renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) that includes renewable hydrogen and derivatives such as e-methanol, e-ammonia and e-kerosene.

EU states must bring this into their national legislation in line with the revised renewables directive by 21 May 2025.

Spain's new remit also introduces hydrogen, biogas and RFNBOs. These will be double counted under Spain's biofuels certification system.

By Evelina Lungu

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

20/05/25

Shell CEO defends 'resilient investment strategy'

London, 20 May (Argus) — Shell chief executive Wael Sawan defended the company's "resilient investment strategy" at its annual shareholder meeting today, as directors faced a barrage of questions from climate-focused investors. A resolution calling for more details on Shell's LNG strategy gained over 20pc support, a level consistent with climate-related votes in previous years . But absent this year were the disruptive climate protests that have marked past meetings. This was partly due to Shell's choice of venue, London's Heathrow Airport, which has a five-year High Court injunction banning environmental protests on site. Still, climate-conscious shareholders dominated the discussion. One questioned how Shell could justify expanding oil and gas operations when the IEA's net zero emissions by 2050 scenario suggests no new oil and gas projects are needed. Shell's chairman Andrew Mackenzie responded that the IEA's scenario is just one of many and includes conditional commitments made by governments that may not materialise. "We see a phase of continuing growth, particularly in the use of gas and especially in LNG, that we think is appropriate to invest in," he said. Sawan pointed out that most of the net present value from Shell's oil and gas projects will be realised before 2040, "and so this is a very resilient investment strategy that we are offering our shareholders". He also highlighted that Shell has $20bn of capital invested in low-carbon alternatives such as biofuels, hydrogen and electric vehicle charging. "It is in our interest... to see that market grow," he said. A key focus was Resolution 22, filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), which called on Shell to explain how its LNG strategy aligns with its climate goals. "We believe that shareholders still don't have the information that they need to properly assess the risks associated with this strategy," said the ACCR's Sarah Brewin. The scale of Shell's uncontracted LNG out to 2050 exposes the company and its shareholders to "significant risk should prices fall and demand soften", she said. The company's LNG outlook "is highly optimistic and increasingly out of step with global trends", she added. Shell's board opposed the resolution, arguing that its strategy is based on a range of scenarios — including one exploring the impact of AI on energy demand. Its 2025 LNG Outlook, based on Wood Mackenzie data, forecasts a 60pc rise in global LNG demand by 2040, driven by economic growth in Asia and decarbonisation in heavy industry and transport. While the resolution did not pass, Shell said it will prepare a note within six months detailing its LNG market outlook, its LNG business strategy and how these align with its climate commitments. By Jon Mainwaring Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Unsold German storage tightens 3Q global LNG balance

20/05/25

Unsold German storage tightens 3Q global LNG balance

London, 20 May (Argus) — A lack of commercial interest in some German storage sites could support European injection demand in the third quarter, when Asian summer demand peaks. Operators are struggling to sell underground storage capacity at the 45TWh Rehden and 11.5TWh Breitbunn sites — probably because the German THE hub's prompt discount to the winter contract is not large enough to cover the reserve price. In Rehden, only 900GWh has been allocated of the 20.5TWh needed to reach the 45pc fill target. A inverted summer 2025-winter 2025-26 spread earlier this year provided no incentive for firms to book space ahead of the storage year, and although the spread normalised last month, it remains too narrow to make some sites attractive. In addition, Rehden is slow-cycling, so capacity holders have less flexibility to react to price movements. That said, these sites would still need be filled at some point this summer to help meet demand in Germany during winter plus EU and German mandates for 1 November. The lack of a commercial incentive to fill storage could prompt the intervention of market area manager THE later in summer, either by subsidising injections — as Italy did in early April — or through direct purchases, as THE did in 2022. THE said on Monday that it currently has no plans to intervene. But an intervention, if any, would probably only take place later in summer, as Rehden injections could start as late as 17 August to reach the 45pc fill target for 1 November. Asian demand Europe's stockbuild has benefited from weak Asian demand, but firms delaying injections to the third quarter are likely to contend with tighter LNG supply as northeast Asian demand peaks. Asian summer imports tend to be at their heaviest in July-August, when high temperatures boost air-conditioning use and power-sector gas burn. LNG imports in China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan in July-August have on average increased by 6.4pc from May-June over the last three years, according to Kpler data, equivalent to 2.2mn t, or 30 LNG cargoes, over the two months. The European delivered discount to the TTF third-quarter contract has already started to narrow on stronger buying interest from Asia, falling to a 45¢/mn Btu discount from an average discount of 52¢/mn Btu the previous week. That said, part of the increase in Asian demand in the third quarter could be offset by weaker consumption from downstream sectors affected by US tariffs. And Asian delivered LNG prices above $11/mn Btu will probably continue to suppress demand from price-sensitive buyers in China and India, reducing competition for uncommitted Atlantic-basin supply. By Isabel Valverde Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

20/05/25

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

Rio de Janeiro, 20 May (Argus) — Brazil is arguing that its developing country status allows it to consolidate its position as a major crude producer and is likely to lean on developed countries during much-awaited discussions on moving away from fossil fuels at the UN Cop 30 climate conference in November. Attempts to reach an ambitious outcome on mitigation — cutting greenhouse gas emissions — and actions to move away from fossil fuels were quashed at Cop 29 in Baku last year, and all eyes are on Brazil to bridge divides on this issue . Cop 30 president-designate Andre Correa do Lago has failed to address fossil fuels in his two letters outlining priorities for the summit, but members of the Cop 30 team have indicated the issue will be on the agenda. With geopolitical tensions and energy security questions redirecting government priorities away from the energy transition, the outlook is more challenging than when Cop parties agreed the global stocktake (GST) conclusion on fossil fuels and energy in 2023 . But Brazil is well-placed to take the lead. It is a respected player in climate discussions and has one of the cleanest energy mix — 49pc of its energy and 89pc of its electricity comes from renewables. Its own mitigation efforts prioritize slashing deforestation, which accounts for the lion's share of Brazil's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Non-profit World Resources Institute Brazil describes the emissions reduction target in Brazil's nationally determined contribution (NDC) — climate plan — as "reasonable to insufficient" and notes that energy emissions are expected to increase by 20pc in the decade to 2034. Its NDC avoids any concrete steps towards winding down crude. After you The government's view on fossil fuels is that Brazil's developing country status, the oil and gas industry's importance in its economy and comparatively low fossil fuel emissions justify pushing ahead with oil production. Correa do Lago said earlier that Belem was picked as a venue for Cop 30 to show that Brazil is still a developing country, adding that any decision on oil and gas should be taken by Brazil's citizens. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that oil revenue will fund the energy transition. It is a position that has earned Brazil accusations of hypocrisy from environmentalists at home and abroad, but which also places it as a possible model for other hydrocarbon-producer developing countries. Brazil's diplomatic tradition of pragmatically balancing seemingly opposing positions could serve it well here, said Gabriel Brasil, a senior analyst focused on climate at Control Risks, a consultancy. He does not see Brazil's attempt to balance climate leadership with continued oil production as hurting its standing among fellow parties or energy investors. Civil society stakeholders hope pre-Cop meetings will help bring clarity on how Brazil might broach the fossil fuel debate. Indigenous groups, which are set to be given more space at Cop, are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas offshore basin. Meanwhile, Brazilian state-owned Petrobras moved one step closer to being authorized to begin offshore drilling there . During meetings of the UN climate body — the UNFCCC — in Panama City this week, the Cop 30 presidency will present ideas for the summit "with a focus on the full implementation of the GST". But it has to wait for countries to update their NDCs to gauge what is achievable on mitigation. Only 20 have submitted new NDCs so far, with the deadline pushed back to September. Brazil's own NDC gives some clues. It welcomes the launch "of international work for the definition of schedules for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems" and reiterates that developed countries should take the lead. And a report commissioned by Brazil's oil chamber IBP and civil society organization ICS to be given to negotiators ranks Brazil as a "mover" in the transition away from oil and gas, ahead of "adapters" like India and Nigeria but behind "front-runners" Germany and the US. The research develops the idea of a country-based transition plan, using criteria such as energy security and institutional and social resilience, as well as oil and gas relevance. By Constance Malleret 2023 Brazil emissions sources Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

20/05/25

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

London, 20 May (Argus) — Norway is planning to implement the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulations "as soon as possible, and no later than 2027", according to the transport minister. ReFuelEU Aviation entered into force in the EU on 1 January 2025, and will eventually require a 70pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) share in all EU airports from 2050. Norway is not part of the EU, but it wants the regulations to be incorporated into the European Economic Area (EEA) and into Norwegian law as soon as possible to "contribute to a level playing field in aviation in Europe". ReFuelEU would require Norwegian aircraft operators to gradually increase the volume of SAF in their fuel mix, starting with a 2pc share in 2025. "The government now wants to implement this as soon as possible," said transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård. Norway established a sales requirement in 2020 that required aviation fuel suppliers to blend 0.5pc SAF. Norway's biofuels mandates align with EU sustainability criteria under the original renewable energy directive (RED) I, as part of EEA agreements. Norway has made stricter requirements for biofuels sales from the beginning of this year . It was consulting on three options for increases to the biofuels blending obligations for 2026 and 2027, in April . By Madeleine Jenkins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia's Ampol to focus on EV charging: Correction

20/05/25

Australia's Ampol to focus on EV charging: Correction

Corrects sale details in paragraph 4 Sydney, 20 May (Argus) — Australian fuel retailer and refiner Ampol is shifting its focus to electric vehicle (EV) charging and renewable fuels by selling its electricity retail businesses in Australia and New Zealand, it said today. But Ampol will continue to refine oil at its 109,000 b/d Lytton refinery and import oil products. Ampol plans to sell all its shares in Ampol Energy Retail, excluding its EV charging business, to Australian energy retailer AGL Sales, the firm announced in an Australian Securities Exchange statement on 13 May. Ampol is also selling the energy retailing portion of its wholly-owned subsidiary Z Energy, known as Flick Energy, to New Zealand power company Meridian Energy. The firm is simplifying its approach to energy by focusing on the EV charging and renewable fuels sectors, it said. Further details on Ampol's divestment will be provided in its half-yearly results on 18 August 2025, the firm said. Ampol launched its decarbonisation and future energy strategy in May 2021. It has since made plans to complete the Lytton Ultra Low Sulphur Fuels project at the end of 2025 to produce gasoline specifications compliant with the new fuel standard by the Australian Federal Government. The firm has previously expressed the need for long-term policies to support the uptake of renewable fuels and remains committed to progressing its Brisbane renewable fuels study . Ampol plans to reach delivery of 500 EV charging bays in Australia by 2027. Ampol missed its target of 450 charging bays in Australia and New Zealand in 2024, delivering only 315, mainly because of complexities around grid connection and sluggish EV sales. By Grace Dudley and Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more