Energy
Petrochem founder Yogesh Mehta reflects on a life built from hardship, a company forged from belief, and the handover to a new generation. This is a story about business. But more than that – it's a story about what it means to live well
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Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Rising Asia temperatures bode well for US LNG export prospects: Maguire
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) LITTLETON, Colorado - U.S. exports of LNG are already at record highs so far in 2025, but forecasts for above-average temperatures across key Asian import markets could lift them even higher this summer. Average temperatures for Japan, South Korea and China are all forecast to hold above normal through the end of August, likely boosting use of power-hungry air conditioners. That higher demand load will in turn spur utilities to lift generation from all available sources, including from natural gas plants fed mainly by imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). That upbeat demand outlook is good news for U.S. LNG exporters, who are riding a wave of strong demand from Europe but face a potential slowdown in European buying this summer. HOT AND STICKY Temperatures across East Asia are already hovering above long-term averages, and are expected to continue trending higher over the next two months. Average temperatures in Japan - the second largest LNG importer after China in 2024 - are expected to register around 6% above the long-term average from now through the end of August, data from LSEG shows. South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and several cities in China are forecast to register similar readings. As the northern hemisphere summer coincides with the rainy season across much of Asia, the forecasted hot temperatures are likely to be mixed with high humidity levels. That in turn will likely spur heavy use of air conditioning systems, which can push power demand levels sharply higher during heatwaves and strain regional power grids. GAS HEAVY Asia's electricity producers are used to the summer climb in electricity demand and adjust output levels accordingly. In 2024, average electricity demand during June, July and August - the hottest months of the year - was around 9% above the monthly average for the year as a whole. To accommodate that higher load, utilities lifted output from all power sources, but especially from fossil fuel plants which supply power that can be dispatched on command when output from renewable sources drops off. Both gas-fired and coal-fired generation across Asia during June, July and August last year averaged around 5% more than the 2024 monthly average, Ember data shows. LNG RELIANCE To feed the higher demand for power anticipated during June, July and August, Asian LNG importers tend to book higher LNG volumes during May, June and July than during other months. Between 2021 and 2024, U.S. LNG exports to Asia during May, June and July averaged around 7.8 million metric tons a month, according to data from commodity intelligence firm Kpler. That compares to an average of 2.23 million tons a month to Asia overall for the 2021 to 2024 period, and underscores how important LNG is as a power fuel during the Asian summer. PRICE POINT A key driver of potential Asian purchases will be the price of LNG, which needs to compete with coal in power generation and has recently proved too dear for many Asian consumers. U.S. LNG export prices have averaged around $8.54 per thousand cubic feet so far in 2025, up 35% from the 2024 average, according to data from LSEG. That said, any rise in Asian LNG purchases would likely come just as LNG orders by Europe tend to retreat to their annual lows, which could apply downward pressure to prices. Over the first half of 2025, European markets accounted for 70% of all U.S. LNG exports, Kpler data shows, while Asian markets accounted for just under 20%. Average monthly volumes of U.S. LNG dispatched to Europe during January to June were around 6 million tons, compared to around 1.6 million tons a month to Asia. A key caveat that will govern Europe's LNG appetite going forward is how quickly gas storage operators there want to replenish inventories, which were depleted over the past winter and must be restocked ahead of next winter. Currently, Europe's gas stockpiles are around half full, which compares to around 70% full at this time of year in 2023 and 2024, according to LSEG. If gas storage operators opt to restock as quickly as possible, then Europe's imports of LNG could remain quite strong over the coming months. But if Europe's storage firms opt instead to wait until the autumn to replenish stocks, or refill tanks from pipelined supplies, then Europe's LNG purchase volumes could drop sharply. Such a sudden wilt in European orders would likely trigger an aggressive markdown in prices, however, and in turn lure fresh buying interest in Asia where power firms are already primed to boost output. That suggests that overall U.S. LNG export volumes should remain fairly robust for the near term at least, regardless of where the buyers reside. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis of everything from swap rates to soybeans. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. (Reporting by Gavin Maguire; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Empowering the SDGs through Journalism
2025 Sustainable and Constructive News Awards Now Open for Entries TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 June 2025 - The 2025 Sustainable and Constructive News Awards are now officially open for submissions. Under the theme "Raise Your Voice, Brighten the World; Report the Truth, Strengthen Its Power," the Awards call on journalists to merge professional reporting skills with a commitment to sustainability—transforming journalism into a powerful force for public dialogue and social innovation. Organized by the TVBS Foundation, in collaboration with the United Daily News Group Sustainability Studio and Shih Hsin University, the Awards invite submissions of Chinese-language journalistic works from around the world. The competition rewards outstanding reporting aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the impact of constructive journalism. "Sustainability journalism is not limited to environmental and ecological issues. We care about all 17 SDG topics," said I-I Chan, Board Director of the TVBS Foundation. She also highlighted this year's Social Value Award, which centers on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. "Establishing peaceful and inclusive societies requires robust legal systems and transparent governance. This is the meaning and value of a journalist's work." The 2024 Sustainable and Constructive News Awards received a record-breaking 732 entries, with 46 pieces winning awards and over NT$2 million in total prize money awarded — an all-time high. Topics covered a wide range of issues, including human rights, education, energy, animal welfare, urban greening, and carbon emissions. These works not only offered sharp insights into core sustainability issues but also proposed open-ended solutions and inspirational perspectives, offering readers a more holistic view and encouraging deeper reflection. Submissions came from Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mainland China, the United States, and Australia, encompassing contributions from 104 news organizations and 94 universities, high schools, and junior high schools — totaling 4,594 submissions to date. Sustainable and Constructive News Awards are divided into Professional and Student categories, with each further divided into four formats: Print: Primarily text-based reporting, supplemented with photos or charts (excluding animation or multimedia web content). Video: News reports or feature documentaries, categorized as either short or long format. Multimedia: Integrative storytelling combining text, video, and other media, with a strong emphasis on interactive and participatory elements via social platforms. Audio (including radio and podcasts): Single-topic news reports, commentaries, or interviews featuring voice-based narratives, ambient sounds, and sound effects. Submission period: 1–30 June every year For more information, please visit: Official website: Hashtag: #TVBS The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. TVBS
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Dollar slides on easing trade tensions, Fed expectations
SINGAPORE: The dollar slid on Thursday on further signs that U.S. President Donald Trump may adopt a softer stance in tariff negotiations and heightened expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Trump said on Wednesday he would be willing to extend a July 8 deadline for completing trade talks with countries before higher U.S. tariffs are imposed. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested earlier that the Trump administration may offer extensions from a July trade deal deadline for countries negotiating in good faith. The remarks renewed dollar weakness, lifting the euro to a seven-week high. It last bought $1.1525. The greenback lost 0.43% against the yen and 0.34% against the Swiss franc to last trade at 143.98 and 0.81725, respectively. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar fell to its weakest since April 22 at 98.327. "It's hard to tell whether there is a masterplan behind this, but common sense would suggest that President Trump is trying to create a level of urgency in terms of trade negotiations," said Rodrigo Catril, senior currency strategist at National Australia Bank. "I think the market, in terms of the size of the moves, is becoming a little bit more sanguine about what this all means... the market is also very wary that the picture could change quite dramatically in a week's time or two weeks' time." Elsewhere, sterling was up 0.38% to $1.3588. The Australian dollar ticked up 0.05% to $0.6506, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.1% to $0.6033. On Wednesday, data showed U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in May, leading traders to ramp up bets of a Fed cut as early as September and keeping pressure on the dollar. Thursday's producer price index data will be the next test for markets. The offshore yuan was last a touch stronger at 7.1953 per dollar, helped slightly by news that a fragile truce in the U.S.-China trade war was restored as both sides reached a deal following talks in London this week. "Full details have not been published, and it remains unclear if the talks brought the two largest economies closer to productive cooperation," said Mantas Vanagas, senior economist at Westpac. EURO STRENGTH The euro was clinging to strong gains on Thursday, having jumped against most other currencies in the previous session. Against the yen, the common currency last stood at 165.88 having risen to its firmest since October at 166.42 on Thursday. It was up 0.13% against the Aussie, extending a 0.9% gain from Thursday, and had also touched a one-month high of 84.88 pence overnight. While there was no immediate trigger behind the moves, analysts say the euro has over the past week drawn support from hawkish European Central Bank (ECB) rhetoric. Last week, the ECB cut interest rates as expected but hinted at a pause in its year-long easing cycle after inflation finally returned to its 2% target. "Expectations of fewer previously expected ECB rate cuts have lent some support to the euro," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. That contrasts with the likely resumption of a Fed easing cycle later this year, and as Trump has repeatedly called for U.S. rates to be lowered. Trump said last week that a decision on the next Fed chief will be coming soon, adding that a good Fed chair would lower interest rates. The euro has risen nearly 11% for the year thus far, helped in part by a weaker dollar and as investors pour money into European markets in a move away from the U.S. (Reporting by Rae Wee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
