Statistics Netherlands says overall energy consumption in the Netherlands will decrease in 2005, the first decrease since 1999.

German energy giant E.ON announced on February 21 that it had offered 29.1 billion euros ($34.8 billion) to acquire Spain's largest power company, Endesa Electricity Company. The acquisition could become the largest-ever transaction in the global utility sector.

On February 16th, Austria's "News" published a headline article on its front page entitled "The flight from oil has begun", stating that developed countries in Europe and the United States are paying renewed attention to the development of alternative energy sources to oil, but they need to formulate a convincing action plan to avoid the dangers of oil.

In order to provide the energy needed for India's rapid economic growth, India's series of diplomatic initiatives are increasingly tilted towards the oil and natural gas field and are becoming increasingly pragmatic.

According to a recent report by Indian newspaper "Business Standard", Indian Oil and Natural Gas Corporation may soon bid $2 billion to acquire part of Russia's Yugansk Petroleum Company. This is another major energy move by India in recent times.

India has been troubled by energy security for many years. In order to ensure energy security and play a more important role on the world stage, India has carried out a series of fruitful energy diplomacy activities in recent years.