Sem Oxenaar
@soxenaar.bsky.social
Excited about heat and building decarbonisation, working @regassistproj - heating & cooling / industrial electrification / district heating / heat planning
Pinned
Sem Oxenaar
@soxenaar.bsky.social
· Oct 30
Making electricity cheaper: Modernising taxes and levies to incentivise electrification of industrial heat
RAP experts Sem Oxenaar and Tom Butler look at the state of electricity and gas prices for industry and the impact of reducing taxes and levies.
www.raponline.org
The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
German court: heat pump users not required to pay for switching off gas connection
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-...
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-...
January 22, 2026 at 1:38 PM
German court: heat pump users not required to pay for switching off gas connection
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-...
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Following David's lead, I also posted on FB and was surprised by the positive response. Spread the word about what's happening here. People want to know.
January 14, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Following David's lead, I also posted on FB and was surprised by the positive response. Spread the word about what's happening here. People want to know.
How pension reform in one country will affect borrowing costs for many. Dutch pension funds are becoming less risk averse, reducing demand for long-term EU gov. bonds. Astute observation by www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Why Europe’s biggest pension funds are dumping government bonds
Dutch reforms will push up borrowing costs across the continent
www.economist.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:22 AM
How pension reform in one country will affect borrowing costs for many. Dutch pension funds are becoming less risk averse, reducing demand for long-term EU gov. bonds. Astute observation by www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
D-Day for Europe to shore up Ukraine funding.
As EU leaders huddle in Brussels, Stephen Paduano and I analyse the reparations loan in a new piece.
This is not only a "There Is No Alternative" (TINA) moment—but the financial and legal risks are also manageable.
1/
www.cer.eu/insights/ukr...
As EU leaders huddle in Brussels, Stephen Paduano and I analyse the reparations loan in a new piece.
This is not only a "There Is No Alternative" (TINA) moment—but the financial and legal risks are also manageable.
1/
www.cer.eu/insights/ukr...
The Ukraine Reparations Loan: How to fix Europe's financial plumbing
As US support for Ukraine vanishes, Europe must overcome Belgian opposition and improvise fiscally to provide Kyiv with €210 billion.
www.cer.eu
December 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
D-Day for Europe to shore up Ukraine funding.
As EU leaders huddle in Brussels, Stephen Paduano and I analyse the reparations loan in a new piece.
This is not only a "There Is No Alternative" (TINA) moment—but the financial and legal risks are also manageable.
1/
www.cer.eu/insights/ukr...
As EU leaders huddle in Brussels, Stephen Paduano and I analyse the reparations loan in a new piece.
This is not only a "There Is No Alternative" (TINA) moment—but the financial and legal risks are also manageable.
1/
www.cer.eu/insights/ukr...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
🚨Just released🚨
'Tipping the balance: Cheaper electricity is needed to drive clean heating'
Our brand new globally focussed paper looks at the role of energy pricing in delivering clean heat uptake and provides examples of what has been done to reduce electricity prices.
'Tipping the balance: Cheaper electricity is needed to drive clean heating'
Our brand new globally focussed paper looks at the role of energy pricing in delivering clean heat uptake and provides examples of what has been done to reduce electricity prices.
December 1, 2025 at 8:09 AM
🚨Just released🚨
'Tipping the balance: Cheaper electricity is needed to drive clean heating'
Our brand new globally focussed paper looks at the role of energy pricing in delivering clean heat uptake and provides examples of what has been done to reduce electricity prices.
'Tipping the balance: Cheaper electricity is needed to drive clean heating'
Our brand new globally focussed paper looks at the role of energy pricing in delivering clean heat uptake and provides examples of what has been done to reduce electricity prices.
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
A new round of EU transport infrastructure funding has been allocated. I have compiled an overview of the recipients. Rotterdam 🇳🇱 leads.
Most 🔌 funded: Rotterdam-based VARO Energy 🇳🇱🇩🇪 for 548 🚛 chargers
Biggest site funded: Watthub's Maasvlakte hub (Port of Rotterdam): 50 🔌 350 kW⚡🚛
Most 🔌 funded: Rotterdam-based VARO Energy 🇳🇱🇩🇪 for 548 🚛 chargers
Biggest site funded: Watthub's Maasvlakte hub (Port of Rotterdam): 50 🔌 350 kW⚡🚛
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 AM
A new round of EU transport infrastructure funding has been allocated. I have compiled an overview of the recipients. Rotterdam 🇳🇱 leads.
Most 🔌 funded: Rotterdam-based VARO Energy 🇳🇱🇩🇪 for 548 🚛 chargers
Biggest site funded: Watthub's Maasvlakte hub (Port of Rotterdam): 50 🔌 350 kW⚡🚛
Most 🔌 funded: Rotterdam-based VARO Energy 🇳🇱🇩🇪 for 548 🚛 chargers
Biggest site funded: Watthub's Maasvlakte hub (Port of Rotterdam): 50 🔌 350 kW⚡🚛
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Europe can’t reach its clean energy goals without scaling demand flexibility. ⚡
Our new report with @ember-energy.org explains how empowering consumers to shift electricity use can cut bills, ease grid stress, and boost renewables.
Read: bit.ly/4oAa8hS
#EnergyTransition #Flexibility
Our new report with @ember-energy.org explains how empowering consumers to shift electricity use can cut bills, ease grid stress, and boost renewables.
Read: bit.ly/4oAa8hS
#EnergyTransition #Flexibility
How to scale demand flexibility in Europe | Ember
Boosting demand side flexibility can lower consumer bills and provide grid stability. Ember and RAP identify the top policy actions to scale demand flexibility.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Europe can’t reach its clean energy goals without scaling demand flexibility. ⚡
Our new report with @ember-energy.org explains how empowering consumers to shift electricity use can cut bills, ease grid stress, and boost renewables.
Read: bit.ly/4oAa8hS
#EnergyTransition #Flexibility
Our new report with @ember-energy.org explains how empowering consumers to shift electricity use can cut bills, ease grid stress, and boost renewables.
Read: bit.ly/4oAa8hS
#EnergyTransition #Flexibility
The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
Making electricity cheaper: Modernising taxes and levies to incentivise electrification of industrial heat
RAP experts Sem Oxenaar and Tom Butler look at the state of electricity and gas prices for industry and the impact of reducing taxes and levies.
www.raponline.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
As always, great thread on the latest developments in solar PV @solarchase.bsky.social
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM
As always, great thread on the latest developments in solar PV @solarchase.bsky.social
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
RAP CEO @katherinehdixon.bsky.social joins the @financialtimes.com Energy Transition Summit to discuss how effective regulation can accelerate a clean, reliable, and affordable energy future.
Learn more about the event ⬇️
energytransitions.live.ft.com/home
#CleanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #FTEnergy
Learn more about the event ⬇️
energytransitions.live.ft.com/home
#CleanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #FTEnergy
October 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
RAP CEO @katherinehdixon.bsky.social joins the @financialtimes.com Energy Transition Summit to discuss how effective regulation can accelerate a clean, reliable, and affordable energy future.
Learn more about the event ⬇️
energytransitions.live.ft.com/home
#CleanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #FTEnergy
Learn more about the event ⬇️
energytransitions.live.ft.com/home
#CleanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #FTEnergy
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
You don’t get to brief all 27 EU energy ministers every day (or at least I don't).
In a rare step for the Council of Energy Ministers, I was asked to deliver an expert intervention on industrial electrification at the Energy Council on 20 Oct.
Livestream: video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/28169
In a rare step for the Council of Energy Ministers, I was asked to deliver an expert intervention on industrial electrification at the Energy Council on 20 Oct.
Livestream: video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/28169
October 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
You don’t get to brief all 27 EU energy ministers every day (or at least I don't).
In a rare step for the Council of Energy Ministers, I was asked to deliver an expert intervention on industrial electrification at the Energy Council on 20 Oct.
Livestream: video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/28169
In a rare step for the Council of Energy Ministers, I was asked to deliver an expert intervention on industrial electrification at the Energy Council on 20 Oct.
Livestream: video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/28169
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Why is the share of EVs among delivery vehicles and light trucks in the Netherlands skyrocketing? Cities.
theicct.org/zez-netherla...
theicct.org/zez-netherla...
October 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Why is the share of EVs among delivery vehicles and light trucks in the Netherlands skyrocketing? Cities.
theicct.org/zez-netherla...
theicct.org/zez-netherla...
Will Russia start importing refined fuels soon? Another clear reason why China is pushing electrification so hard: independence and resilience. www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Russia declares partial diesel export ban until year-end, extends gasoline ban
Russia has imposed a partial ban on diesel exports and extended an existing gasoline export ban until the end of the year, the government said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Will Russia start importing refined fuels soon? Another clear reason why China is pushing electrification so hard: independence and resilience. www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
NEW RESEARCH: The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
We must Make Electricity Cheaper for households, businesses and industry.
How? …This feels like the defining question of the moment.
I’m happy to share @regassistproj.bsky.social 8 priority actions.
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
We must Make Electricity Cheaper for households, businesses and industry.
How? …This feels like the defining question of the moment.
I’m happy to share @regassistproj.bsky.social 8 priority actions.
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
Making electricity cheaper: RAP's eight priority actions
RAP identifies 8 priority actions to make electricity cheaper for European industry, businesses & households in the short, medium & long-term.
www.raponline.org
September 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM
NEW RESEARCH: The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
We must Make Electricity Cheaper for households, businesses and industry.
How? …This feels like the defining question of the moment.
I’m happy to share @regassistproj.bsky.social 8 priority actions.
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
We must Make Electricity Cheaper for households, businesses and industry.
How? …This feels like the defining question of the moment.
I’m happy to share @regassistproj.bsky.social 8 priority actions.
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
Grid investment needs are ramping up. NL government is selling part of TSO TenneT to raise more capital for expansion & strengthening.
46% will be taken over by a Dutch pension fund, and the Norwegian & Singaporean sovereign wealth funds.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
46% will be taken over by a Dutch pension fund, and the Norwegian & Singaporean sovereign wealth funds.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Dutch government sells nearly half of TenneT Germany for $11.3 billion
The Dutch government is selling 46% of power grid operator TenneT's German unit to an investor consortium for up to 9.5 billion euros ($11.3 billion), it said, kicking off the separation from a business it has long been trying to divest.
www.reuters.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Grid investment needs are ramping up. NL government is selling part of TSO TenneT to raise more capital for expansion & strengthening.
46% will be taken over by a Dutch pension fund, and the Norwegian & Singaporean sovereign wealth funds.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
46% will be taken over by a Dutch pension fund, and the Norwegian & Singaporean sovereign wealth funds.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
"the TSOs’ study undervalues the efficiency gains of alternative reconfigurations that split the bidding zone of 🇩🇪-🇱🇺 and that link them up with a bidding zone reconfiguration in 🇳🇱. ACER estimates the benefits [..] in the order of 450-540 million EUR per year, 70% higher than TSOs’ assessment."
💡ACER Opinion: #European #TSOs’ #BiddingZoneReview study broadly aligns with #EU legal and regulatory framework but significantly underestimates the benefits of re-shaping Europe’s #electricity #BiddingZones.
👉 www.acer.europa.eu/news/electri...
👉 www.acer.europa.eu/news/electri...
September 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
"the TSOs’ study undervalues the efficiency gains of alternative reconfigurations that split the bidding zone of 🇩🇪-🇱🇺 and that link them up with a bidding zone reconfiguration in 🇳🇱. ACER estimates the benefits [..] in the order of 450-540 million EUR per year, 70% higher than TSOs’ assessment."
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
I'm delighted to share two new translations of version 2 of our global heat pump policy toolkit, one in French and one in Polish (these sit alongside the English and Korean versions). This is a key international resource for growing clean heating. www.raponline.org/toolkit/heat...
September 18, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I'm delighted to share two new translations of version 2 of our global heat pump policy toolkit, one in French and one in Polish (these sit alongside the English and Korean versions). This is a key international resource for growing clean heating. www.raponline.org/toolkit/heat...
Milestone: in June 2025 solar became the biggest source of electricity in Europe for the first time! 19.9%, 53.9TWh according to IEA.
September 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Milestone: in June 2025 solar became the biggest source of electricity in Europe for the first time! 19.9%, 53.9TWh according to IEA.
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
I'm delighted to introduce Tom Butler to our @regassistproj.bsky.social team.
Tom dedicates his career to decarbonising the big stuff - industrial clusters. In RAP he'll also focus on grid access & the economics of industrial ⚡. Tom joins me in London. Do say hi.
www.raponline.org/experts/tom-...
Tom dedicates his career to decarbonising the big stuff - industrial clusters. In RAP he'll also focus on grid access & the economics of industrial ⚡. Tom joins me in London. Do say hi.
www.raponline.org/experts/tom-...
Tom Butler
Tom Butler is a junior associate for the Regulatory Assistance Project in Europe.
www.raponline.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I'm delighted to introduce Tom Butler to our @regassistproj.bsky.social team.
Tom dedicates his career to decarbonising the big stuff - industrial clusters. In RAP he'll also focus on grid access & the economics of industrial ⚡. Tom joins me in London. Do say hi.
www.raponline.org/experts/tom-...
Tom dedicates his career to decarbonising the big stuff - industrial clusters. In RAP he'll also focus on grid access & the economics of industrial ⚡. Tom joins me in London. Do say hi.
www.raponline.org/experts/tom-...
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Decarbonising industry - after 2 days strategising with partners I have some take aways:
1. #Electrification is THE no regrets option* to decarb European industry. ⚡is useful in all sectors. It may not offer full solution for some heavy industry, it does for most process heat. tinyurl.com/3c7h24bs
1. #Electrification is THE no regrets option* to decarb European industry. ⚡is useful in all sectors. It may not offer full solution for some heavy industry, it does for most process heat. tinyurl.com/3c7h24bs
September 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Decarbonising industry - after 2 days strategising with partners I have some take aways:
1. #Electrification is THE no regrets option* to decarb European industry. ⚡is useful in all sectors. It may not offer full solution for some heavy industry, it does for most process heat. tinyurl.com/3c7h24bs
1. #Electrification is THE no regrets option* to decarb European industry. ⚡is useful in all sectors. It may not offer full solution for some heavy industry, it does for most process heat. tinyurl.com/3c7h24bs
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
If it were not so sad, it would be entertaining: Brussels and Berlin blame today’s car sector crisis on regulation that only bites in 2035—while Germany has already lost half its net car exports.
Missing a forest of nine million by staring at a tree.
Missing a forest of nine million by staring at a tree.
Woah. China now exporting cars at a staggering clip of 9 million vehicles annually.
For comparison: Germany’s pre-Diesel scandal peak was 4.5m.
And Germany was always far less one-sided: it imports 2x+ as many cars as China (in absolutes).
What happened to the idea this would self-extinguish?
1/
For comparison: Germany’s pre-Diesel scandal peak was 4.5m.
And Germany was always far less one-sided: it imports 2x+ as many cars as China (in absolutes).
What happened to the idea this would self-extinguish?
1/
September 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
If it were not so sad, it would be entertaining: Brussels and Berlin blame today’s car sector crisis on regulation that only bites in 2035—while Germany has already lost half its net car exports.
Missing a forest of nine million by staring at a tree.
Missing a forest of nine million by staring at a tree.
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
one morning, when gregor samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a very hungry caterpillar
September 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
one morning, when gregor samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a very hungry caterpillar
Reposted by Sem Oxenaar
Die Netze werden ausgebaut, die Entgelte steigen – die Entwicklung beeinflussen, kann auch die Verteilung der #Netzkosten. Diese will die Bundesnetzagentur mit #AgNes angehen. Das erste Diskussionspapier ist ein Anfang, findet @andreasjahn.bsky.social 👉 t1p.de/mm9oy @regassistproj.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Die Netze werden ausgebaut, die Entgelte steigen – die Entwicklung beeinflussen, kann auch die Verteilung der #Netzkosten. Diese will die Bundesnetzagentur mit #AgNes angehen. Das erste Diskussionspapier ist ein Anfang, findet @andreasjahn.bsky.social 👉 t1p.de/mm9oy @regassistproj.bsky.social