In Geopolitics Today - Monday, January 3rd
Germany Rejects Nuclear Energy as Dangerous, Houthis Seize Ship Carrying Munitions, and Nepal Becomes Energy Exporter
Germany Rejects Nuclear Energy as Dangerous
Atomic power is a topic on which France and Germany differ, and one that has become a thorn in the side of the EU as the 27-nation bloc is looking to decide whether to include nuclear-generated energy in its sustainable investment strategy.
France has led several other EU countries operating nuclear power plants by asking for nuclear power to be included in the EU’s energy investment plans as a sustainable form of energy going forward. But reportedly Germany objects to these proposals, with officials stating that Berlin finds atomic energy “dangerous.”
Both Paris and Berlin disagree starkly on the future of nuclear power for Europe. Germany is on course to switch off its remaining three nuclear power plants at the end of this year. With Berlin’s nuclear energy capacity diminishing, German policymakers intend to use natural gas as an energy bridge in the near-term while the country transitions to non-polluting alternatives with renewable energy by 2045. But its neighbour France relies on nuclear power for 70% of total energy needs, and Paris aims to modernize existing as well as build new reactors to also meet its future energy needs.
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Houthis Seize Ship Carrying Munitions
Houthi rebels have reportedly seized an Emirati-flagged military vessel. The ship Rwabee is said to have been captured near the island of Socotra in the Red Sea just off the coast of Yemen. Saudi Brigadier General Turki al-Malki has said that the ship was travelling to the Saudi port of Jizan, when the Houthis attacked at around midnight on Monday.
Following the hijacking, Houthi sources have released images of what they said were weapons and military vehicles aboard the vessel, contradicting Saudi accounts that aboard the ship were medical supplies and other support equipment. The Saudi-led coalition has demanded that Houthi fighters “immediately release the ship,” and have threatened to use force if their order is not complied.
Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States and regional allies, launched the war on Yemen in March 2015. Recently, the rebels have been engaged in a ferocious assault on Marib, the government’s last northern stronghold, and in November they took control of a large area south of the port of Hodeida. In response to these gains, the Saudi-led coalition has launched a new large-scale assault on Yemen. Nevertheless, Houthi forces remain difficult to dislodge as fighters are in a relatively strong positions and its leadership continues to refuse negotiations.
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Nepal Becomes Energy Exporter
Once power-starved, Nepal now looks ahead to the export of electricity. The country, now finding itself in an energy surplus after a drastic increase in total capacity, is moving forward with a plan to sell power to India. Nepal became a power surplus country after the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project came into operation in July 2021, which generates 456 MW of electricity for the country. With the completion of this project, Nepal’s total hydroelectricity production has reached 1,900 MW, already beyond the estimated 1,600 MW needed to for domestic demand.
The start of India-Nepal trade in hydroelectric power could create a natural synergy between the two countries, as Nepal’s excess power would otherwise likely go to waste, and thereby offering New Delhi a cheap source of energy for India’s growing domestic demand. Yet the deal has some problems, as the current infrastructure does not support large-scale energy transfers. Moreover, India has permitted this energy to be sourced from select hydropower projects. But the fact that the energy would otherwise be wasted means both countries stand to benefit, even if Nepal does end up selling this energy to India for a very small price.
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