US electricity prices turn negative
Plunging domestic energy demand is raising concerns that Covid-19 will slow the growth of renewables
Pandemonium descended on the US oil market this month, but crude is not the only energy source in extreme oversupply. When the world runs out of storage, oil prices can—and recently did—go negative. But what happens when there is a surplus of electricity? Spring in America is the seasonal window when the giant solar installations of California and the vast wind farms of Texas start to crank up. Typically, the rising flows of renewable supply are offset by warmer temperatures and soaring air conditioning demand from workplaces. But Americans this spring are, like people everywhere, working from home. There is a question therefore over where to put the extra electricity. California, like other
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
