Cubans use solar power to fight blackouts as US tightens its grip on oil
Cubans scramble to install solar panels in their homes, businesses and vehicles as Washington prevents oil from reaching the Caribbean’s largest island. This contributes to electricity generation shortfalls. U.S. sanctions, a deep recession and the economic crisis in Venezuela have made it difficult for the government to buy enough fuel. A recent 'drought' of shipments due to U.S. sanctions has also caused a?drought? in Mexico and Venezuela.
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.
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.
Michigan suedes oil companies for collusion to restrain competition in EVs
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an antitrust suit against four major oil firms on Friday, alleging that they have colluded over decades to prevent competition from renewable energy sources, including?electric cars. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, western Michigan, names BP and Chevron. It also names ExxonMobil, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute.
UAE utility withdraws Yemen and transfers solar energy plants to the government
Global South Utilities, based in Abu Dhabi, has handed over two solar power plants to Yemen's Public Electricity Corporation. This was after the?Yemeni government requested that all?Emirati firms leave the country. GSU informed Public Electricity Corporation in a letter of January 22 that all maintenance and operations teams had been evacuated from the Aden Solar Power Plant…
EDP CEO warns EU about lost urgency in energy security and renewables push
The European Union has lost its sense of urgency in addressing energy security. Bureaucracy is still preventing the bloc to reduce costly energy imports and slowing down renewable energy projects. Miguel Stilwell d'Andrade (CEO of one of Europe's biggest renewable power producers) told reporters that companies are struggling to build enough wind and solar assets to replace imported fossil energy sources.
Masdar and EPCG in Montenegro to explore a joint venture for renewables
Montenegro’s state utility EPCG, and United Arab Emirates’ state-owned Masdar will explore establishing a joint venture to develop large-scale renewable energy projects in the Balkans. The ministry stated that the potential partnership would focus on projects in solar power, wind, hydropower and battery storage, as well as hybrid systems. Its goal is to meet the domestic demand for green energy and export it to the Balkans…
FEATURE-AI data explosion in Mexico fuels rise of dirty energy
The country's power infrastructure is overloaded and pollution has increased due to the shortfall in green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy. These servers power the most powerful technology companies…
AI data explosion in Mexico fuels growth in dirty energy
The lack of green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity, has overloaded and increased local pollution. Masheika Allgood is the founder of AllAI Consulting. She provides information on data center environmental impacts. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy.
BP appoints Woodside's Meg O'Neill to be CEO following Auchincloss' abrupt departure
BP, a major oil and gas company, announced that it has appointed Meg O'Neill as its 'CEO', effective April 1, after abruptly removing 'Murray' Auchincloss. O'Neill is the first CEO to be appointed by BP from outside of the company, and the first female to lead any of the top five oil companies in the world. Her unexpected appointment shows that the British oil giant is looking to improve its business…
Sonnedix secures contracts in Italy for 805 MW solar power
Sonnedix, a renewable energy company backed by JP Morgan and sponsored by three Italian government schemes, has been awarded contracts to install 805 megawatts in solar capacity under three different government schemes. Solar power, considered easier to develop than wind projects because of Italy's geographic characteristics, is playing a key role in the energy transformation in Italy.
The US government is under pressure from the Fusion Energy Industry to provide billions of dollars in support
On Monday, fusion energy industry leaders met U.S. Department of Energy representatives to encourage them to provide billions of dollars to projects that seek to?generate electrical power by the same process as the sun. In November, the?department?created an Office of Fusion as part of a reorganization which focused on fossil and nuclear energy. Renewable energy offices were eliminated.
Vulcan Energy secures $2.6 billion in financing for Germany Lithium project
Vulcan, a company listed in Australia, announced on Wednesday it had received a funding package worth 2.2 billion euro ($2.56 billion), which will be used to fund the entire first phase of Lionheart's lithium and renewable energy projects in Germany. The funding package, supported by stakeholders such as European and German Government agencies and commercial bankers, has allowed the Vulcan Board to make a final decision on the investment.
Are renewables prepared for the COP30 discussion on fossil fuels?
At the climate summit, it may be premature to declare the end to the fossil fuel age. But up to 80 nations are calling for a concrete plan that will move us away from polluting energy. The 195 countries at the COP30, including the oil producers, will have to agree on a plan to reduce oil and gas consumption. There are also practical challenges to overcome…
PowerChina focuses on renewables for growth in Africa
A company executive revealed that China's Power Construction Corp. (PowerChina), a state-owned corporation, is targeting significant growth in Africa by focusing on renewable projects as part its overseas expansion strategy. Chinese lending to African countries has dropped sharply since a peak in 2016 of around $28 billion per year, as Beijing becomes more cautious about the debt risk.
Fashion brands boost solar energy with textile suppliers
Textile suppliers in Bangladesh, who account for 85% exports of Bangladesh, are under pressure to become more environmentally friendly. They hope that new initiatives will help them find the money they need to expand rooftop systems powered by solar energy. Few energy companies are willing to invest in solar power plants because they fear that smaller factories may default on their commitments.
IRENA's chief executive expects sustainable biofuels as a key theme at COP30
Francesco La Camera said that the COP30 climate summit this year will focus on the social aspects of energy transition and the use of sustainable biofuels, according to the Director-General for the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA. COP30 is scheduled to take place in Belem (Brazil) from November 10-21. This will be the time for countries to update their national climate commitments…
Singapore allocates more land to green energy and data centre park
Singapore has allocated more land to its manufacturing hub Jurong Island for renewable energy and data centres, according to a statement released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and JTC Corporation on Monday. The agencies have announced that about 300 hectares (741.32 acre) of land, or roughly 10% of Jurong Island, will be reserved for renewable energy projects and low carbon fuel production.
Singapore allocates more land to green energy and data centre park
Singapore has allocated more land to its manufacturing hub Jurong Island for renewable energy and data centres, according to a statement released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and JTC Corporation on Monday. The agencies have announced that about 300 hectares (741.32 acre) of land, or roughly 10% of Jurong Island, will be reserved for renewable energy projects and low carbon fuel production.
LAUDES-U.S. cities drive energy transition despite Trump resistance
The U.S. By Carey L. Mayors report that many cities still have a long way to go in improving building efficiency, electrifying cars and neighborhoods, training employees for new energy jobs, and designing for tomorrow. Keith Wilson, the mayor of Oregon's biggest city, said that cities like Portland don't wait for federal permission before taking action on climate change.