Environmental groups protest Trump's decision to repeal US climate regulations
On Wednesday, a coalition of environmental and health groups sued the Trump administration over its decision?to revoke?the scientific findings that form?the basis of?U.S. Climate regulations. The lawsuit filed before the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia challenges also the Environmental Protection Agency decision, announced last week, to repeal the tailpipe regulations that limit greenhouse gas emission from cars and trucks. The groups suing include the Center for Biological Diversity, ?American?Lung Association…
NYT reports that US EPA plans on loosening mercury rules for coal-fired plants this week.
The 'New York Times' reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration will loosen restrictions this week on coal-burning power plants, allowing them more freedom to emit a variety of?hazardous pollutions, including mercury. The paper reported that senior U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representatives are expected to make the announcement during a visit to Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. The EPA exempted 47 coal-fired companies from the regulations that curb mercury and other air pollutants. The EPA announced on Wednesday that the proposal was under interagency review.
Junior minister: Austria looks to renewables and African gas to reduce US LNG dependency
PARIS, February 18 - Austria wants to increase renewable energy and import more?gas from Africa in order to avoid becoming too dependent on U.S. Liquefied Natural?Gas? as Europe changes its energy supply. As a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries struggle to maintain affordable electricity prices. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has many governments concerned about replacing one dependence with another. "The U.S. cannot be predicted in these times. So for Austria, we are looking very closely to make sure we have LNG coming from different sources," Elisabeth Zehetner said, Austria's State Secretary for Energy.
Canada boosts investments in Ukraine's Energy Sector
The two governments announced on Wednesday that Canada would increase its support for Ukraine's energy industry, working with the industry to provide?oil and gas equipment at favorable terms, as well as boost investments in renewable energy. As part of the full-scale invasion that began in February 2020, Russia has attacked power stations, gas installations, and electricity transmission lines. Three people were killed and tens thousands left without heat and electricity by Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure this week.
Microsoft will continue to buy enough renewable energy for all its needs
Microsoft has pledged to "keep buying enough renewable energy to meet all of its electricity needs" after meeting this goal for the first year. Tech giants are ramping up capital expenditures on an AI driven expansion of power hungry data centres. Microsoft announced on Wednesday that they had met their 2025 goal of procuring 40 gigawatts through power purchase agreements, which are long-term contracts designed to help utilities bring forward new projects. Microsoft announced that 19 gigawatts of renewable energy have already been delivered to the grid. The rest will be supplied over the next 5 years, covering 26 countries.
Junior minister: Austria looks to renewables and African gas to reduce US LNG dependency
PARIS, February 18 - Austria is looking to increase renewable energy and gas imports from Africa in order to avoid becoming too dependent on U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas as Europe reshapes its 'energy supply. As a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries struggle to maintain affordable electricity prices. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has many governments concerned about replacing one dependence with another. "The U.S. cannot be predicted in these times. Therefore, for Austria, we are looking very closely to ensure that we have LNG from other sources," said Elisabeth Zehetner. Austria's State secretary for energy.
During Erdogan's visit, Turkey and Ethiopia signed an energy cooperation agreement
The Turkish Energy Ministry announced that Turkey and Ethiopia signed an agreement on 'energy cooperation' during the visit of President Tayyip Erdogan to Addis Ababa on Tuesday. Erdogan visited Addis Ababa for a day on Tuesday, at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. It was his first visit to Ethiopia in eleven years. After talks between the two leaders, an agreement was signed in a ceremony. Alparslan Bayraktar, the Turkish Energy Minister, said that it would be used as a 'roadmap to enhance?cooperation. In a?note…
Ormat signs geothermal power agreement with NV Energy for Google to supply 150 MW
Ormat Technologies, a renewable energy company, announced on Tuesday that it had entered into a long-term agreement to purchase geothermal power from NV?Energy in order to support Google's?operations?in?Nevada. Ormat will be able to create a number of geothermal projects in Nevada between 2028-2030 with the agreement for 150 megawatts. Ormat stated that the agreement offers utilities and large users like Google a way to invest in clean, reliable energy while covering all costs. U.S. The Energy Information Administration said last month that the price of electricity will continue to rise throughout this year and next…
Turkey, Ethiopia to Cooperate on Energy Projects
Turkey and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation during a visit by President Tayyip Erdogan to Addis Ababa on Tuesday, the Turkish Energy Ministry said, adding the accord would lead to joint production and projects.Erdogan held a one-day visit to Addis Ababa on Tuesday upon Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's invitation, his first to Ethiopia in 11 years.The accord was signed at a ceremony after talks between the two leaders. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said it would serve as a roadmap to deepen cooperation.The ministry said in a note that under the agreement…
Chevron and a consortium of companies sign contracts for gas exploration offshore Greece
On Monday, a consortium led by U.S. oil giant Chevron signed exclusive lease agreements to search for natural gas in southern Greece. This agreement expands the United States presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. The deal will double the amount of Greek marine acreage that is available for exploration. It's also the second time in recent months that a U.S. oil major has been involved. This is because the European Union wants to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and the U.S. wants to replace it. Exxon Mobil joined Energean in November to search for gas on another offshore block of Western Greece.
EDF's costs are higher due to oversupply of electricity
EDF, the French nuclear operator, said that it would have to increase its maintenance costs by around 1.5 million euros to 3.75 millions euros per year because it has to reduce power in 'its nuclear reactors' to a'respond to an increased electricity supply and a slow demand. Around 70% of French power comes from nuclear energy, which accounts for about half of the state-owned EDF revenue. However, the recent addition of solar power has changed the way nuclear reactors are operated. EDF stated that the increase in renewable energy led to a "fundamental" change in the way it modulates its production.
Chevron and a consortium of companies sign contracts for gas exploration offshore Greece
The United States has expanded its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean with the signing of exclusive lease agreements by a?consortium headed by U.S. major oil company?Chevron? to search for natural gas offshore southern Greece. This deal, the second to be signed in recent months by a 'U.S. company, doubles the amount available of Greek marine acreage for exploration. The European Union is phasing out Russian supplies and the United States is looking to replace them. The European Union is looking to replace them. Exxon Mobil joined Energean…
Contact Energy, NZ to raise $317 Million to fund renewable energy projects
New Zealand's Contact Energy announced on Monday that it will raise NZ$525m ($317m) in new equity to fund an array of renewable energy projects. The company is accelerating its growth as part of its long-term, "Contact31+" strategic plan. Contact stated in a press release that the fundraise included a fully-underwritten NZ$450,000,000 institutional placement as well as a non underwritten retail offer?of up NZ$75,000,000. Around 60 million new shares will be sold at NZ$8.75 each, which is an 8.8% reduction from Friday's closing price.
Modi's rooftop Solar push is slowed down by unwilling lenders, states
Vendors and analysts claim that despite the heavy subsidies, I ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not able to achieve his targets due to loan delays and limited state support. These shortfalls are the latest "challenge" to India's efforts at nearly doubling clean energy capacity by 2030 to 500 gigawatts. The government is planning to suspend the clean energy tendering target amid an increasing backlog of projects that have been awarded but not yet built. India may continue to rely on coal because of challenges to its plans to increase the use of solar power.
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed a crucial energy transition threshold by installing more clean power than fossil fuel production capacity for the first. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation capacity operating in 2025. This compares to 1,420 GW?of fossil fuel-fueled capacity. China now draws 51% of its energy from clean sources, surpassing Brazil, France, and Germany, as the major economies that are primarily fueled by clean energy sources.
India looks at increasing gas usage during peak hours in order to guarantee power supply
India's top power official revealed on Friday that the country is looking at whether its under-used, gas-fired plants can be used during evening peak hours to provide flexibility in generation as renewable energy grows rapidly. Gas-fired power generation is usually only maximized during the summer peak months, because it's relatively expensive. It is still aiming to maintain its approximately 20?gigawatts gas-based capacity in order to balance the grid. The plants are cleaner than coal, and they offset the intermittent nature?of?wind and?solar power.
Australia's Origin Energy raises earnings forecast for energy markets, shares rise 8%
Australia's Origin Energy increased its full-year earning?outlook? for its energy retail division, citing higher electricity margins that helped the firm exceed market expectations. The shares of the electricity retailer and gas retailer jumped 8.1% intraday to A$11.970. This was their largest intraday percentage increase in almost three years. The slow rollout of solar and wind on both coasts, coupled with tight gas markets, is forcing Australia's states to run coal plants longer than they planned. This, despite the fact that demand for renewable energy has shifted and policies have been changed.
Carbon weighs down on prices for the front year but spot prices are up because of less wind
German and French spot electricity prices rose Thursday morning, amid predictions of a?lower wind power generation. Meanwhile, a steep?drop in the European Carbon Market weighed on long-term prices. The French 'day-ahead' baseload power contract rose by 39.70 euros, to?54.25 euros per megawatt (MWh), at 1007 GMT. Meanwhile, the German contract had risen 3.50 euros, to 107 euros/MWh. He added that wind power production is expected to drop from a peak of 35 gigawatts at the beginning of the day down to 10?GW by the end of the day. This will increase the demand for more expensive, alternative generation.
Trump ends US vehicle emission standards, revokes climate regulations
On Thursday, the administration of President Donald Trump announced that it had repealed a scientific conclusion that greenhouse gasses endanger human life and removed federal tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. The administration has rolled back its climate change policies in the most dramatic way possible, following a series of regulatory changes and other actions designed to promote fossil fuels and to impede the development of "clean energy". Trump stated that the EPA had just finished a process to 'terminate the endangerment findings…
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed an important energy transition threshold by installing more clean power generation capacity than fossil fuel generation capacity. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean power generation in operation by 2025. This compares to the?1,420-GW capacity powered by coal, gas, and other fossil fuels. China has now a 51% share of its energy fleet that is derived from clean sources. It joins Brazil, France, and Germany as major economies that are primarily powered by clean sources.