The Covid 19 crisis and the measures taken to contain it have profoundly affected energy demand on an incredible scale. The full impact of the current situation, which is unknown at the moment, will depend on the duration of lockdown measures and the recovery paths chosen globally. According to people’s feedback on US-Reviews, the lockdowns combined with governments’ stimulus packages will shape the energy sector for years to come, with significant implications for the overall energy industry, energy security, and clean energy transitions.
With American largest renewable energy companies’ reviews, it was realized that the energy industry is suffering financial consequences across value chains, with the majority of energy companies experiencing significant revenue losses. In effect, they are being hit twice: first by a decline in demand for their products – which include oil, gas, coal, and electricity – and then by a decline in their prices.
As excess storage became scarce, average oil prices fell sharply, with West Texas Intermediate reaching negative prices for the first time in history. LNG prices have fallen to all-time lows in the European and Asian markets, which were already oversupplied before the Covid 19 crisis. In parts of the United States, where storage is depleted, natural gas prices have fallen to negative levels. Coal has the least impact, as its supply chain is less constrained by logistical constraints than oil and natural gas.
A combination of low-cost gas and weakening demand has also resulted in a one-third to one-half reduction in power prices in liberalized wholesale markets. In the United States and several European countries, including Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland, electricity market prices have fallen below zero.
The energy sector that emerges from the Covid 19 crisis may resemble nothing as it did previously. In all subsectors, low prices and low demand will leave energy companies with weakened financial positions and frequently strained balance sheets. Businesses that are somewhat immune to market signals, such as those involved in renewable energy projects, will emerge in the best financial shape. Private firms that are most vulnerable to market fluctuations will face the most severe financial consequences. Concentration and consolidation of the market are almost certain.
The Covid 19 crisis will have a significant impact on investment across the energy sector. This could raise concerns about energy security, as an investment is necessary regardless of how long it takes for global energy demand to return to pre-crisis levels. A significant portion of global energy investment is devoted to sustaining current energy supply levels: maintaining current levels of oil and gas production, replacing aging power generation capacity – frequently through a capital-intensive combination of renewables and flexibility sources – and reinvesting in aging electricity networks. Even with a subdued recovery, investment in these activities will need to remain robust.
The crisis has put energy security to the test in novel ways, including oil and gas markets. Simultaneous supply and demand shocks have wreaked havoc on the oil markets. Oil is critical to global macroeconomic finance, both as a component of international trade and as a significant revenue source for several major producers. Lockdown measures have resulted in unprecedented demand declines that far outstrip the normal market flexibility of supply.
As a result, even with concerted management efforts, a disorderly shutdown of production is likely in some locations. Macroeconomic and financial disruptions that result could jeopardize the industry’s ability to ramp up production as the global economy and oil demand recover.
Natural gas supply is critical to all sectors’ operation, including industry, residential and commercial heating, and electricity generation. Global gas markets are abundantly supplied, and storage levels are very high due to recent investments and the demand slump caused by Covid 19.
Simultaneously, intense financial strain is wreaking havoc on the industry, particularly on companies that own and operate critical infrastructure. Policymakers and regulators must prioritize and maintain operational, maintenance, and safety expenditures. US LNG has been instrumental in enhancing energy security and market efficiency in several regions, but current market conditions raise the risk of US LNG facilities’ significant shutdowns.
Additionally, the Covid 19 crisis is influencing the path forward for clean energy transitions. Global CO2 emissions are on track to reach their lowest level on record this year, but a sustainable energy pathway requires ongoing efforts and commitment. Without structural changes, the unprecedented reduction in emissions in 2020 may be only temporary. Recovery from previous crises has resulted in immediate increases in CO2 emissions, including the most significant annual increase on record in 2010.
Governments will play a critical role in reviving the energy sector following the Covid 19 crisis, just as they have done decades in directing energy investment. Economic stimulus packages, in particular, present a significant opportunity for governments to link economic recovery efforts to clean energy transitions – and thus steer the energy system toward a more sustainable path. While clean energy transitions and stimulus discussions are gaining traction, a concerted policy effort will be required to capitalize on their potential and result in a more modern, cleaner, and resilient energy sector for all.
