The Bank of Russia unexpectedly maintained its key interest rate at a record-high 21% , defying analysts’ expectations of another significant hike as inflation remains stubbornly elevated. The decision marks a shift toward a more measured approach in balancing economic growth and price stability. Key Details Inflation Concerns: Annual inflation climbed to 8.9% in November, well above the central bank’s 4% target , with inflation expectations reaching 13.9% in December. Policy Rationale: The central bank cited the significant tightening of monetary conditions after October’s 200-basis point hike as sufficient to resume disinflationary processes. Governor Elvira Nabiullina emphasized avoiding both economic overheating and severe slowdowns. Economic Overheating: Elevated government spending on the war in Ukraine and social programs, coupled with labor shortages and rising wages, have fueled strong domestic demand, exacerbating price pressures...
China, the world’s largest oil importer, is projected to hit its oil consumption peak by 2027, driven by the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered trucks, according to Sinopec, Asia's largest refiner.
Key Highlights
Oil Demand Peaks
- 2027 Peak: Oil consumption will plateau at 800 million metric tonnes (~16 million barrels per day).
- 2024 Outlook: Demand is projected to drop to 750 million tonnes, marking only the second decline in two decades.
Key Factors Behind the Peak
Shift to Cleaner Energy:
- Electric Vehicles:
- Displacing 26 million tonnes of gasoline (~15% of total consumption).
- Gasoline demand set to decline 2.4% to 173 million tonnes by 2025.
- LNG-Fueled Trucks:
- Account for 22% of truck sales in 2024.
- Diesel demand expected to drop 5.5% to 174 million tonnes by 2025.
Sectoral Shifts:
- By 2060, the petrochemical sector will consume 55% of oil, up from 22% in 2024.
Aviation Fuel:
- The only refined product expected to grow in 2025, rising 7% to 45.5 million tonnes.
Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainty
- Trump’s Iran Policy:
- Possible tightened sanctions on Iranian oil exports (~1.5 million barrels/day), most of which are purchased by China.
- Potential reduced geopolitical risks in Ukraine and the Middle East, which could lower oil prices.
Natural Gas Demand Trends
- Peak Consumption Revised Higher:
- Forecast to plateau at 620 billion cubic meters (bcm) between 2035–2040, up from last year’s estimate of 610 bcm by 2040.
- 2025 Projection:
- Natural gas consumption to rise 6.6% to 458 bcm, driven by:
- Increased LNG use in trucking.
- New gas power generation.
- Higher industrial and residential demand.
Carbon Emissions Forecast
- Revised forecast for energy-related carbon emissions to peak between 10.8 billion and 11.12 billion tonnes before 2030 (up from last year’s estimate of 10.1 billion tonnes).
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