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.
EBRD may lend up to $1,5 billion for Central Asia Hydro Plant
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) could lend up $1.5 billion for an Central Asian hydropower station, according to its president. He also noted that the demand for renewable energy is increasing despite some resistance to funding green energies. Kambar-Ata 1 is one of Central Asia's largest renewable energy projects, with a combined 1,860 megawatts.
Report: Global renewable energy growth is still short of climate targets despite record global growth
Globally, renewable energy capacity reached a record high in 2016, but countries still fell short of the U.N. goal of tripled capacity by 2030. This was revealed by a report released by global renewable groups on Tuesday. At the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, 2023, more than 100 countries agreed to triple their renewable energy capacity in 2030 in order to achieve global climate targets.
Orsted will reduce its workforce by one-quarter by 2027
Orsted Denmark, the largest offshore wind farm developer in the world, announced on Thursday that it would cut 2,000 jobs, or a quarter, by the year 2027. Orsted explained that this was due to the fact that Orsted would be focusing on offshore wind in Europe and a number offshore wind farms are expected to be completed within the next few years. The company also needs to increase its competitiveness.
South Africa coal heartland is home to a small solar city
Even though the locals are coughing up grey smog, coal keeps them at work, heats their homes during winter, and cooks dinner. Now, however, things are slowly beginning to change. South Africa, one of the largest coal exporters in the world, has launched a plan that will wean itself off coal pollution and embrace green industries to create jobs. Solar bricks…
Solar industry in Spain warns about price threats to energy transition
The number of hours in which solar power prices were zero or negative has increased this year, a sign that the supply is exceeding demand, and producers are forced to pay for power offloading or to stop their plants. This trend could threaten Spain's move to green energy. UNEF reported that between January and September of this year, solar energy producers experienced 693 hours with negative or zero electricity prices…
TotalEnergies sells 50% of its North American solar portfolio and invests in U.S. Gas assets
TotalEnergies said it would sell half of its North American solar portfolio for $950 million in a deal announced on Monday. It also stated that it plans to invest in US gas-producing assets, which will help it secure future supplies. The sale of the stakes is in line with the strategy of the French oil giant to develop renewable energy projects, then sell them to raise cash to invest in its natural gas portfolio.
Iberdrola, Europe's largest utility, to invest $120 billion in grids by 2031
Iberdrola, a Spanish utility company, plans to invest more than 100 billion euro ($117 billion) through 2031. This is part of its move towards a more regulated power grid business in countries like Britain and the United States. The largest utility in Europe presented its strategy update for 2028 on Wednesday, along with an outlook to what is to come until 2031.
Australia delays its first offshore wind auction due to global investment retreat
Victoria, Australia, has delayed its first auction of offshore wind farm financing, citing global investments hurdles. This is a blow to an industry that's deemed crucial to Australia's transition away from coal-fired energy to renewables. The state government announced on Tuesday it will delay the auction, originally scheduled for this month. A revised schedule is expected to be released by year's end.
Alaskans fear higher energy prices as Trump drills
Alaskans spend nearly two times as much on electricity as the national average. Matt Goodnow, financial counselor at a hospital located in Homer, Alaska, a fishing village on the Kenai Peninsula, said that higher energy costs would be detrimental to the community. The Trump administration is not only planning to eliminate federal funding for renewable energy projects and to remove tax breaks…
Experts say that India's tax reduction on solar and wind energy devices will lower clean energy tariff.
India's decision on cutting taxes on solar and winds equipment will lower the costs of new plants, and pressurize existing project developers to reduce their tariffs. This will accelerate India's transition to renewable energy. On Wednesday, the government lowered the goods and service tax (GST), which was previously 12% on solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine generators, to 5%.
Shell cancels plans to build a biofuels plant in Rotterdam
Shell announced on Wednesday that it will not continue construction of the biofuels plant at its Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam, after an extensive evaluation revealed that it was not competitive. Construction of the project was suspended in July 2024 because of weak market conditions. Shell approved in September 2021 the development of the facility to produce 820,000 tons per year, and planned to bring it on line in 2025.
The FCA of the UK is investigating energy company Drax for its disclosures about biomass sources
The UK's financial watchdog has launched an investigation into Drax Group's disclosures about the biomass it sources, following a previous investigation conducted by the energy regulator of the country. This sent its shares plummeting more than 12% in Thursday's trading. Ofgem fined Drax 25 million pounds ($33.77m) for reporting incorrect data about wood from Canadian forests.
Indian clean energy developers are urged to align their growth with demand
A power ministry advisor warned on Friday that India's renewable energy developers need to align their growth plans with realistic projections of demand in order to avoid infrastructure investments becoming unprofitable. Ghanshyam Prsad, Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority, warned against the building of renewable capacity without matching demand growth. This is a problem the sector has experienced in the past.
Solar and wind farms will be scrutinized more closely by USDA, but some projects may still continue
According to a release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that it would increase scrutiny of certain solar and wind energy projects. However, they did not end all support from their agency for clean energy projects in U.S. farmland. The announcement came a day following an announcement by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on X about her agency's decision to stop funding wind and solar projects on productive farmland.
Australia's Green Bank makes record clean energy investments of $2.3 billion
Australia's Green Bank announced on Monday that it had invested A$3.5 billion (2.29 billion dollars) in clean energy and grid infrastructure projects during the last financial year. This was to help accelerate Australia's transition away from fossil fuels towards renewables. Australia is one of the most polluting countries in the world due to its coal-powered power generation.