Germany's wind industry on course for record approvals and installations by 2025
An industry lobby reported on Wednesday that Germany has approved more than 4,000 megawatts of new onshore power capacity, and will add over 1,000 MW of new installations in the 1st quarter of 2025. This could be a record year for this sector. According to the BWE Wind Power Association, the number of new onshore wind installations increased by 40% over the previous year during the first three-month period in 2025. New approvals also reached a record high for a quarter. This is the third quarter that the threshold for approvals has been exceeded for the 4,000MW.
Tauron's net profit for the full year fell 48% due to a drop in revenues
The Polish utility Tauron reported a 48% drop in its net profit for the full year, due mainly to lower revenue from electricity sales. The preliminary figures for March were a little lower than the results of the company. Tauron is Poland's second largest power utility based on market value. Its coal-fired fleet has been losing money, and the company faces pressure from a shift towards renewable energy. According to the energy think tank Forum Energii the coal use in the country has decreased as it works to reduce its dependency. Coal will account for about 57.1% (or 57.1%) of the nation's electric generation by 2024.
BP discovers oil off US Gulf Coast
BP announced on Monday that it had made an oil find at the Far South Field in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The energy giant is seeking to increase production as part of a new strategy, which was announced earlier this summer. Green Canyon Block 584 is located about 120 miles (203.12 km) from the coast of Louisiana. The initial well as well as a sidetrack both encountered oil. The company stated that preliminary data indicated a potential commercial volume of gas and oil. The company also announced that it would increase its output in the Gulf of Mexico by 400,000 barrels of equivalent oil per day by 2030.
State planner: China will continue to build coal plants until 2027.
According to guidelines released by the government on Monday for upgrading the coal power grid, China will continue to build coal-fired plants in areas where they are required to meet peak demand or stabilize the grid. This policy could raise questions regarding China's commitment in phasing out coal usage during the period 2026-2030, even though it states that new coal projects are a backup for renewable energy whose output is dependent on sun and wind conditions. According to the guidelines issued by the state planners and energy regulators…
Spot prices expected to rise due to falling renewable energy supplies
The strong decline in wind and solar energy supply across the region is expected to exert bullish pressure on spot contract prices on Monday, while three unplanned outages and two planned ones will reduce French nuclear availability. LSEG data shows that the German and French baseload power prices for Monday were not traded by 0923 GMT. Riccardo Paraviero, LSEG analyst, says that the drop in renewable energy supply will increase residual load on Monday. LSEG data indicates that the German wind output is expected to drop by 19.4 gigawatts to 4.2 GW while French production was predicted to halve at 1.9 GW.
Sources say that more than 2,600 US Energy Dept employees accepted a second resignation offer.
Two sources confirmed on Thursday that more than 2,600 U.S. Department of Energy employees have accepted the second round of resignations offered by the Trump administration. The hardest hit offices were those dealing with power grid stability, and those who provide loans for high-tech projects. According to a document reviewed by, the number of staffers who took up the offer in the first round is now more than twice the original 1,217. One source said that the number of staffers could increase significantly in the coming weeks, as those over 40 get an extra 45 days to consider the offer.
EIA: US power consumption will reach new highs by 2025 and 26.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration announced in its Short Term Energy Outlook on Thursday that the U.S. will reach new records in power consumption in 2025 and in 2026. EIA projects that power demand will increase to 4,201 billion Kilowatt Hours (kWh) by 2025, and 4,244 trillion kWh by 2026. This is a significant rise from the record 4,097 kWh of 2024. These increases are due to the growth of data centers dedicated for artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and home and business use. EIA predicts that by 2025, residential customers will consume 1,527 billion kWh of electricity.
Oil advocate withdraws nomination for US Land Bureau
Senator Mike Lee announced at a Senate Hearing on Thursday that oil industry lobbyist Kathleen Sgamma had withdrawn her nomination for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Sgamma was scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Thursday morning to discuss her nomination. Lee announced the news at the beginning of the hearing. Sgamma issued a subsequent statement via Lee's office, which did not provide a reason as to why she resigned. Sgamma stated, "It is an honor that President Trump nominated me as the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
Masdar, a UAE renewable energy company, has completed the purchase of Terna Energy in Greece
Masdar, the renewable energy company of the United Arab Emirates, announced on Thursday that it had acquired a 100% stake in Terna Energy Greece, following its purchase of a majority share last year. This is a step further in their international expansion strategy. Masdar has increased its presence on European markets over the past few months, in an effort to capitalize on opportunities in a market that is being hit by rising interest rates and debt costs. In November, it acquired 70% of Terna at 20 euros per share in a deal valued at 3.2 billion euro ($3.52 billion).
Spot prices drop on rising renewable supply
The French spot electricity price for Thursday dropped on Wednesday, as the renewable energy supply was expected to increase and demand to fall in most countries of central Western Europe. French baseload electricity for Thursday fell 10.6% to 81.35 Euros ($89.66 per megawatt-hour (MWh) at 0836 GMT. The French equivalent contract was 36.5% cheaper at 26.25 Euros/MWh. In Germany, residual load is expected decrease on Thursday due to an increase in renewable supply. Riccardo Paraviero, LSEG analyst, said that the trend was the same for the rest, except Belgium.
Ember reports that renewables will provide 32% of the global electricity by 2024.
A report from the energy think-tank Ember on Tuesday revealed that renewable power generated a record 32% global electricity in 2017. The overall electricity demand increased 4%, driven by heatwaves, data centres, and other factors. Euan Graham, Ember's electricity and data analyst, said that energy security concerns, which are exacerbated by the trade war caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports from the United States, could increase demand for renewable energy this year. Tariffs sent energy and equity markets plummeting, and raised concerns about a possible global recession.
Spot contracts are pushed up by a combination of lower wind output and increased demand
The German spot electricity market was bullish on Tuesday, as renewable energy supply was expected to decrease throughout the region and demand to increase. LSEG data shows that the German baseload electricity for Tuesday at 0850 GMT was 103.75 Euros ($114.10)/MWh. The French power of the day was 68 Euros/MWh. The closing prices on Monday were 97.25 and 45.50 respectively. Both contracts were traded on Friday, but for delivery Monday. Natalia Kubaszek, LSEG analyst, says that the rising demand on Tuesday coupled with falling wind and solar supplies underpins a bullish signal. This also contributes to a significant rise in residual load.
Report: France will only be able to produce 3 GW of offshore power by 2032
A report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis warned that France could have only 3 gigawatts installed offshore wind power by 2032, due to complex licensing, legal issues and local opposition. The report recommended France streamline its licensing process, reduce the time frame for legal challenges, reform the market regulations, and create a phase-down nuclear plan to encourage more rapid development. France's stated goal is to develop 18 GW in offshore wind energy by 2035. If current delays continue, it will only be a sixth away from that target by the year 2032.
Maxeon Solar will establish alternative supply chains in the face of tariff turmoil
Maxeon Solar Technologies, a renewable energy company, announced on Friday that it would create alternative supply and manufacturing chains in response to the tariffs levied by U.S. president Donald Trump. After the bell, shares of the company rose 4.6%. The move comes in the midst of a global trade war that is intensifying after Trump on Thursday imposed a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S. imported goods, as well as higher duties on dozens other countries. Maxeon stated that the new tariffs, trade barriers and restrictions would apply to all of its existing cell and module manufacturing plants.
Africa's top climate negotiator insists on 'no backwards' in commitments
According to the chair of Africa's group of negotiators, given the threat of global warming and progress made so far, there is no other choice than to continue with climate commitments, despite the United States withdrawing from a key international agreement. The Trump administration withdrew for the second year in a row from the historic Paris climate agreement and also backed out of clean energy partnerships that it had signed up with countries such as South Africa. Ali Mohamed, Kenya's Special Envoy for Climate Change…
Octopus Energy, a British company, has bought a stake in the East Anglia One windfarm
Octopus Energy, a British company, announced on Thursday that its Octopus Energy Generation division had purchased a 10% share in the East Anglia One Wind Farm, which is one of the largest operating wind farms in the world, supplying electricity to around 700,000 households a year. The unit's fourth investment in an offshore wind farm in Britain and seventh in Europe, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Octopus Energy Generation has a portfolio worth around 5 billion pounds ($6.5billion) of renewable energy in Britain. It also has projects in other countries, such as Germany and United States.
Data shows that global coal power capacity is expected to increase in 2024.
Global Energy Monitor, a U.S.-based think tank, reported on Thursday that the world's coal power fleet increased by 18,8 gigawatts, its smallest increase in over two decades. However, new additions to China and India continue to offset closures in other countries. GEM's annual report on coal plant tracking said that despite a record-breaking surge in renewables last year, 12 countries commissioned 44 GW worth of new coal energy, which was higher than the retirements of 25.2 GW. Global coal generation capacity has increased by 13% to 2,143 GW since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed almost a decade ago.
Israeli Firm Gets Final Permit for US Wave Energy Demo
Eco Wave Power, an onshore wave energy technology company, has received a final permit for the construction and demonstration of its wave energy technology in San Pedro, California.The Revocable Permit 25-05 by the Port of Los Angeles was executed on behalf of the Executive Director, Eugene D. Seroka on March 27, 2025.This permit is the final approval required for Eco Wave Power to start construction of its pilot project, following it receiving a federal Nationwide Permit (NWP) 52 for Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects granted by the U.S.
Belgium's king meets Vietnam's leaders, hydrogen deals signed
On Tuesday, King Philippe of Belgium and Vietnamese leaders signed agreements to collaborate in areas such as green hydrogen. The first visit by a Belgian royal to Vietnam is accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen, academics and politicians. According to Vietnamese state-run media, Vietnam's president Luong Cuong described Philippe's visit as a landmark in bilateral relations. According to the EU Council's website, he urged Belgium ratify a 2019 investment protection agreement signed between Vietnam and the European Union. The agreement was signed but still requires ratification by one third of EU 27 member states.
Finland's final active coal-fired heat and power plant closes
The last coal-fired heat and power plant in Finland will be permanently shut down on Tuesday. This will allow the Helsinki energy group Helen, which is based in Helsinki, to reduce its emissions, and end rising energy prices for its customers. The capacity of Finland to produce renewable energy and heat, including wind and solar power, has grown rapidly over the last few years. This has led to a dramatic decline in coal use after the previous government passed a coal ban law in 2019. Helen CEO Olli Sikka said: "Ofcourse, we can't say that no coal will ever be burned again in Finland, as there are many crisis solutions.
