Ferg's Finds
This is a short weekly email that covers a few things I’ve found interesting during the week.
Article
Keep an eye on diesel; The World Is Struggling to Make Enough Diesel
Russia temporarily bans fuel exports to most countries in response to shortages
Quite something when considering: “Russia is the world’s biggest exporter of diesel, accounting for over 13% of global supply so far this year, according to data firm Vortexa.”
Podcast/Video
MH+ Ep.10: Kevin chats with Vincent Deluard I always enjoy the market huddle and think Vincent is one of those guys who has been right for years now and doesn’t get enough credit for it.
Also a must listen: MacroVoices #394 Louis-Vincent Gave: China, Energy & More
Quote
“Progress is cumulative in science and engineering, but cyclical in finance.”
-Jim Grant
Tweet
“Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” ― Milton Friedman
Charts
This also doubles as an pro/against ESG map.
Something I'm Pondering
I’m pondering when the “nuclear is too expensive and slow to build” argument starts crumbling in the West.
Since its been an easy way for any pro-renewables advocate to shit on nuclear, using recent US reactor build times and costs, i.e Vogtle’s $31B cost being 7 years late and $17B over cost.
Yet when you look at the mean construction time across global reactor builds it illustrates how ridiculous using US as a example is.
China has built 37 reactors with a mean construction time of 6 years
South Korea has built 5 reactors with a mean construction time of 6.4 years.
As for cost China is knocking them out for under 3 billion (10% of the cost of Vogtle).
Hope you’ve had a great weekend.
Cheers,
Ferg
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California can't even get train tracks built.
I Brought the vogtle reactor up recently in the discord and i am not a renewable guy. Why is the US example ridiculous? Its simply reality in their market and the same if not even worse is true for West/mid Europe.
What are the biggest cost differences? Waiting time for permits? Materials? Inspections? The construction itself? Are korean/chinese and Western reactors equally safe?
I dont think china is taking building nuclear reactor construction as a joke but on the other Hand chinese constructions (including Hospitals and skyscrapers) have had their time in the press in the past ;)
I dont See chinese being allowed building reactors in the West in 6,5years. And you did not consider the arguments of replacement of the existing Fleet. Especially in the west