The copper giant Peru predicts another plateau in production by 2025
According to analysts and the top mining association in Peru, copper production will remain flat for the third consecutive year in 2025, due to declining ore grades. The South American nation is a global powerhouse in the copper industry, ranking third behind Chile and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2023, the Congo will overtake Peru as the second-largest producer. The decline in ore grade after many years of mining makes it difficult for mines to maintain production levels. Meanwhile, a copper shortage is expected to be a problem for the next decade, due to demand for electric cars, renewable energy, and data centers.
The copper giant Peru predicts another plateau in production by 2025
According to analysts and the top mining association in Peru, copper production will remain flat for the third consecutive year in 2025, due to declining ore grades. The South American nation is a global powerhouse in the copper industry, ranking third behind Chile and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2023, the Congo will overtake Peru as the second-largest producer. The decline in ore grade after many years of mining makes it difficult for mines to maintain production levels. Meanwhile, a copper shortage is expected to be a problem for the next decade, due to demand for electric cars, renewable energy, and data centers.
MUFG Americas CEO: AI data centres will boost renewable energy demand, even under Trump
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the largest Japanese banking group, has said that the U.S.'s shift to renewable energy will continue under Donald Trump. Kevin Cronin, chief executive officer of MUFG Americas, said in an interview that the anti-renewables rhetoric of President-elect Trump has not led to a change in MUFG Americas' strategy. Cronin stated that the new administration would be more positive on fossil fuels but this does not mean that renewables will disappear. Cronin said that it takes several years to plan, finance, and build projects, and "we don't try to time our strategies around things outside our control".
California sets clear course to close Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility
California's utilities regulatory agency on Thursday set out a clear path to potentially close SoCalGas Aliso Canyon's gas storage facility. The regulator prioritized energy reliability and affordability, as the state moves towards cleaner energy. In a press release, the California Public Utilities Commission said that it has set an annual peak natural gas demand of 4,121,000,000 cubic feet. This is the level at which Southern California will be able to meet its demand without Aliso Canyon. The regulator stated that the natural gas demand is on a downward trend in Southern California as a result the state's climate goals and policies.
Sources say that Tesla's former China plant head will join renewable energy company Envision
Two sources with knowledge of the situation said that Tesla's former China Plant Manager is expected to join Chinese renewable energy company Envision. One source said that Song Gang, who announced Wednesday his departure from Tesla, will be taking on supply chain management duties for Envision. Envision and Song didn't immediately respond to separate comments. Tesla did not reply to a question about Song's departure. Envision, headquartered in Shanghai, is the largest wind turbine company in the world. It also has research centers in Denmark, the U.S. and Germany.
Spain's demand for electricity is increasing as renewables set records
According to Red Electrica's estimates, the amount of electricity consumed in Spain increased this year, after two years of decline. A record 56% came from renewable sources, such as solar and wind. The Spanish renewable energy industry has warned about the dangers of future investment in this sector due to the lack of demand for electricity. The preliminary figures indicate that demand increased by 1%, or 1.6% when adjusted for working hours and temperatures from 2023 to 244 terawatt-hours. In its climate and energy plans, Spain has set high targets for renewables.
Qcells claims that a new technology could reduce the space required for solar panels
Hanwha Corp.'s Qcells announced on Wednesday that it had made a significant breakthrough in a new solar technology. This has the potential of reducing the space needed by panels to generate electricity from the sun's light. The solar industry is facing a number of pressing challenges, including the need for more space. In some areas of the United States, large-scale projects that occupy vast tracts of land are being met with opposition. Qcells announced that it had achieved a record in the world for the efficiency and cost of large-area silicon cells with perovskite as the top layer.
Sweden's North frets about financial risks as the green boom stumbles
Sweden's local governments, frightened by Northvolt's struggle for survival and its potential impact on taxpayers, have asked the central government to increase financial support for Sweden's transition towards green industry. Last month, Europe's leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States with $5.8 billion of debts. The EU's energy transformation is failing, and shockwaves were sent through Skelleftea, northern Sweden, where its Northvolt Ett plant is located. Sweden is leading Europe in its efforts to switch from fossil fuel based industries to nonpolluting energy.
Spanish region approves wind turbine upgrades that are mandatory, sparking an industry outcry
The regional parliament of Galicia approved a set of measures on Tuesday that will force wind parks in the region to replace their ageing turbines within 25 years. This has sparked a backlash from the renewable energy industry. Developers risk losing their operating permit if they do not replace 25-year old turbines with more efficient, taller and newer ones. Critics claim the measure, the first of its type to be approved in Europe, jeopardizes the development of vital renewable projects and increases the legal uncertainty. WindEurope, an industry association, said that developers have always made the decision when to upgrade assets.
Tauron, a Polish company, aims to restart dividends with a new 10-year strategic plan
Tauron, Poland's largest energy utility, plans to pay dividends again from 2029, under a 10-year strategy that runs until 2035. The group stopped paying dividends in 2015, based on the profit of 2014. It then focused on investing. The company said it now plans to pay out a dividend per share of 0.5 zlotys from the profit in 2028 and increase it by 6% per year until 2035 when it will reach 0.7 zlotys. At 0831 GMT, shares of the company had risen 5.5% and were among the top gainers on the MWIG40 mid-cap index in Poland.
EU solar growth slows, raising concerns for energy transition
Industry data revealed on Tuesday that the growth in solar power installations in Europe has slowed to 4% after years of double digit increases. This is raising concerns over the continent's transition to clean energy. The findings are a blow to the European Union’s plans to expand rapidly its use of renewable energies – a key pillar in the bloc’s efforts to combat climate change and to end its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. SolarPower Europe, an industry association, said that the amount of solar power installed in Europe had increased by over 40% in 2021 and 2022 and by 50% in 2023. This year 65.5 gigawatts of solar were installed.
Japan aims to reach 40-50% of its power needs from renewable sources by 2040
According to a draft version of the revised basic energy policy of Japan, it wants nuclear power to make up 20% of its mix of electricity by 2040, while renewable energy will account for 50%. This is part of a push to promote clean energy and meet rising demand. Japan's basic energy plans, as the second largest importer of natural gas liquefied in the world and a major buyer of Middle Eastern oil are attracting global attention from producers of oil, gas, and coal. The draft energy policy does specify how coal, oil and gas will be divided up.
BHP and Rio Tinto will build a low-carbon iron plant in Western Australia
BHP Australia and Rio Tinto Australia will develop together a pilot plant for producing low-carbon iron using Pilbara ore as part of their efforts to accelerate decarbonisation within the steel industry. The companies announced this in a statement released on Tuesday. The facility will produce molten steel using direct reduced iron technology (DRI), and renewable energy in an electric melting furnace (ESF). It could have a production of up to 40,000 tons per year. BlueScope Steel will develop the facility in Western Australia's Kwinana Industrial Hub.
Nuclear roadblock to EU's new renewable energy target
On Monday, pro-nuclear countries expressed their opposition to the European Union's plans for a renewable energy goal. They said they would not support a goal which excluded atomic energy. Nuclear power is a controversial energy source that has caused political disagreements among the 27 EU member states. These disputes have delayed recent EU initiatives to reduce energy prices and to drive Europe's shift to low-carbon sources of energy. Nuclear power plants do not emit CO2, but they produce toxic waste, which some campaigners claim means that atomic energy shouldn't be classified as green.
Romania allocates 1.5 GW of renewable energy projects
The Energy Ministry announced in a Monday statement that Romania had allocated 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy project funding through an EU-funded contract for difference scheme. The long-awaited low carbon energy support scheme fixes the price of electricity to providers at a level agreed for 15 years. The Ministry selected 10 projects for onshore wind worth 1.09 GW and 11 projects with a total capacity of 432 MW. The energy ministry stated that the projects would have an average weighted cost of 51 euros for solar projects and of 65 euros for wind projects.
China's thermal energy generation increased by 1.9% from Jan-Nov, despite a growth in renewables.
Official data released on Monday showed that China's fossil fuel power generation increased by 1.9% in the first eleven months of this year. This is despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy plants in the last few years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, thermal power generation from January to December was 5.74 trillion Kilowatt-hours. Thermal power production in November increased by 1.4% on an annual basis to 517.5 billion kWh. In November, the hydropower output dropped 1.9% compared to last year. It was 82.3 billion kWh. Hydropower has still seen an increase of 11.2% for the entire year.
Sweden and Norway consider early termination of green subsidies
They said that on Friday, Sweden and Norway had asked their respective energy regulators for options to end a joint certificate scheme earlier than the current target date of 2035. The joint electricity certificate scheme was introduced in 2012, and the last reform occurred in 2020. Its aim was to help build up 46.4 terawatt-hours (TWh), of renewable energy by 2030. This target had already been met in 2021. The scheme gives a certificate that can be traded to power producers per megawatt-hour (MWh) they generate of green electricity, and power suppliers have to buy certificates for a portion of electricity sold.
Kansai electric, a Japanese company, has invested in Iberdrola’s offshore wind project worth 1.3 billion euros.
The company announced on Friday that Japan's Kansai electric power Co had agreed to purchase a 49 percent stake in Iberdrola’s Windanker offshore project in Germany. This agreement expands a partnership between the Spanish renewable energy giant and the Japanese firm. The wind farm, located in the German portion of the Baltic Sea will have a capacity installed of 315 Megawatts. It is expected to begin operating at the end of 2026. Kansai has not disclosed the amount it paid for its share. Iberdrola will retain 51% of the project and values it at 1.3 billion euro.
Britain announces plan to encourage the development of clean energy projects
The UK launched on Friday a plan that will make it easier for developers and investors to build clean energy project, which they hope will help them meet their climate targets as well as create jobs. The UK has set a goal to decarbonise the power sector largely by 2030. This will reduce its dependence on gas-fired plants and increase its renewable energy capacity rapidly. Last month, the National Energy System Operator said that a new system of connecting projects to the grid and a restructured planning process would be required to meet the target.
Indonesia's plans for renewable energy may endanger forests
Indonesia, which is heavily dependent on coal for electricity, needs to move away from fossil fuels. It aims to generate 75 gigawatts from renewable sources over the next fifteen years. This compares with the 13 gigawatts it produces today. This push will be based on the use of biofuels that burn cleaner, i.e. organic material converted into liquid fuel. The government claims that biofuels will reduce Indonesia's dependence on costly fuel imports and greenhouse gases, while increasing palm oil production. This will in turn spur economic growth.
