Selected aspects of ensuring energy security in the municipality

In a modern democratic state, it is fully justified that local governments influence on energy policy. The most serious reasons for municipalities to pursue their energy policy include implementing principles such as decentralization, subsidiarity, autonomy, and independence by local governments. It should be remembered that local governments are public authorities acting to meet the local communities’ needs. In the Polish institutional conditions, local governments may be jointly responsible for the national energy policy only if they can create local energy policy based on their energy potential. Bearing in mind the above, the relationship between the local energy policy and the national energy policy is different for each commune, depending on a given territorial unit’s specific conditions. The specificity and quality of these relationships are also determined by the municipal authorities, which can approach the policies they create strategically or rely on improvisation. In the first case, local governments plan and implement specific activities that make up the energy policy process, while in the second case, they wait for the activity and involvement of government administration bodies.

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF GREEN PETROLEUM COKE AS A COAL BLEND IN STEEL INDUSTRY TO SUPPORT NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY

Green Petroleum Coke (GPC), produced by Pertamina RU II Dumai, is the product of refined petroleum, which still has good quality but has not been utilized to its full potential. Such as Sulfur 0.5%; FC 86.03%; Ash 0.10%; VM 13.82%; Moist 10, 52%; and the calorific value of 7500 kcal/kg. Therefore, one effort that can do is diversification, namely the use of GPC as a mixture of other fuels (fossil) to increase the selling value of GPC. This diversification is also in line with the national energy policy in PP. 79/2014 that the program aims to increase the availability of national energy sources. This study aims to determine the feasibility of using GPC as a coal mixture in Industry (Krakatau Steel) with an overview of economic aspects. Data obtained by qualitative methods consisting of interviews, observation, and documentation. Based on the research results from 2 scenarios, both scenario 1 (GPC 4%) and scenario 2 (GPC 18%), it is found that the NPV is positive, IRR is above the discount rate, and BCR> 1. Thus, the use of GPC as a coal mixture is considered feasible to run and can support national energy security.Keywords: Diversification, Feasibility, Petroleum Coke, Investment DecisionJEL: G11, G32

Rethinking a new transition finance paradigm for addressing the climate crisis in Africa

This policy brief uncovers the investment-ready instruments and policy packages that can unlock the energy transition in Sub-Saharan Africa. These are summarised around three key messages. First, transition finance vehicles in Africa should aim to transform ‘brown’ (polluting) into ‘green’ (renewable) industries. Second, key instruments include green bonds for specific environmental projects, grants/guaranties to support private investments that target access to energy for the poor, and patient capital investments into growth sectors focused on environmental, social, and governance targets. Third, national energy policy should connect innovative market-based solutions (e.g., mini grids) to centralized (e.g., national grid) systems to strengthen governance.

Environmental Protection Meets Security of Electricity Supply

This case comment explores the relationship between two intertwined objectives – ensuring security of electricity supply and environmental protection – in the context of the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Inter-Environnement Wallonie ASBL and Bond Beter Leefmilieu Vlaanderen ASBL v. Conseil des ministres. The analysis focuses on the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Habitats Directive to the facts of the case, which concerns the extension by a ten-year period of the operation of two Belgian nuclear power stations (Doel 1 and Doel 2) as part of a national energy policy strategy to ensure the security of Belgium's electricity supply. The case comment also considers the legal and practical implications that arise as a result of employing the ‘security of electricity supply’ exemption to enable derogation from the requirements of the aforementioned Directives in circumstances where a Member State considers the security of its electricity supply to be under threat.