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Japan turns sustainable finance ambition into delivery

Japan’s sustainable finance agenda moved from vision to execution in 2025, marking a year in which policy intent, market standards and capital mobilisation began to align at scale.

Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power acquires wind energy projects in China totalling 1,250 MW

Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power acquires Chinese wind energy projects totalling 1,250MW including one operational 250MW facility and four under-construction projects whilst increasing Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company stake from 30% to 62%.

St Petersburg residents freeze as power station fire knocks out heating to thousands

Thousands of St Petersburg residents left without heating after mysterious fire at Avtovskaya power station knocks out supplies across five districts as authorities provide minimal details about overnight blaze discovered at 2.51am.

AI-driven energy demand flips ESG investments into a mainstream infrastructure play in 2025

Investors are rapidly shifting their view of clean energy from a niche ESG allocation to a core economic strategy, as the rise of artificial intelligence and data centre expansion reshapes global power needs.

North Macedonia declares electricity supply crisis amid fuel oil shortages linked to Greek protests

North Macedonia’s government declared a crisis situation in electricity supply on December 23, citing disruptions in fuel oil deliveries needed for power generation.

China-Iran trade plunges 24% as sanctions bite and Beijing shifts oil suppliers

China-Iran trade plunges 24% to $9.09bn in first 11 months of 2025 as Beijing shifts to Russian crude whilst banking constraints and US sanctions pressure weaken bilateral commerce despite strategic cooperation claims.

China powers ahead in nuclear while US reactor ambitions stall

China has emerged as the world’s leading builder of nuclear power plants, completing new reactors in as little as five years, while the United States—once the global leader in nuclear technology—has seen its reactor development efforts stall.

Solid-state sodium batteries breakthrough to challenge lithium dominance with safer, cheaper alternative

A new class of solid-state sodium-ion batteries could reshape the future of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage that may replace the dominant lithium batteries and solve several headaches along the way.

Rich nations new oil and gas approvals to breach 1.5°C Paris threshold locking in irreversible warming - study

A wave of new rich nations oil and gas extraction projects approved since 2022 will consume nearly one-fifth of the world’s remaining carbon budget for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, according to a new peer-reviewed study.

Gold hits record high near $4,500 as US-Venezuela tensions escalate

Gold surges to record $4,497.55 per ounce amid US-Venezuela tensions and dedollarisation trends, whilst silver achieves 141% annual gains reflecting supply deficits and strong industrial demand.

Greenland and Denmark reject US envoy appointment as threat to territorial integrity

Denmark PM Frederiksen and Greenland Premier Nielsen reject US envoy appointment demanding respect for territorial integrity as Trump ally status creates difficult situation for Copenhagen.

China develops zinc-bromine flow battery with record stability after 700 cycles

China develops zinc-bromine flow battery completing 700 stable cycles at 78% efficiency using amine compounds to eliminate corrosion in 5 kW prototype for grid energy storage.

UAE–Japanese consortium, IFC back $700mn solar facility in Egypt

Azerbaijan sends first petrol shipment to Armenia via Georgia

Shipment dispatched amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Armenia and Azerbaijan following talks in Washington in August.

United States sanctions 28 vessels in Iran's shadow fleet, targets ICC judges

US Treasury sanctions 28 vessels and 18 shipping companies in Iran's shadow fleet whilst designating two ICC judges, as part of effort to increase pressure on Iran's sanctions evasion activities.

EU backtracking on its Green Deal

The European Commission is preparing to scale back one of its most ambitious climate pledges as it seeks to relieve pressure on its lacklustre economy.

European Union expands sanctions against Russian shadow fleet with 41 additional vessels

European Union sanctions 41 vessels in Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet, bringing total designated vessels to nearly 600, as bloc maintains pressure on Russia's energy revenues and sanction circumvention efforts.

Israel approves $35bn gas export deal with Egypt

Israeli PM Netanyahu approves $35bn natural gas export deal with Egypt from Leviathan field, with US administration viewing agreement as means to improve relations strained by Gaza war.

Putin is pulling his Ukraine blackout power punches

Russia is pulling his punches in the bombing campaign of Ukraine’s power system. He could turn out the lights overnight but hitting key ultra-high-voltage substations, but analysts fear he is waiting for the really cold weather to arrive.

Uganda eyes stake in Kenya Pipeline financed by part of $2bn Vitol-backed loan

Uganda would use the Vitol-backed loan to acquire up to a 60% stake in Kenya Pipeline Company as Nairobi prepares an IPO expected to raise about $460mn.

LNG supply crunch as carrier orders outstrip shipping capacity

The global LNG market is facing a supply crunch as planned liquefaction capacity is outpacing the number of new carriers set to enter service by 2030, Argus Media reported on December 18.

Russia’s evolving “no limits” defence and nuclear partnership with India

Russia and India have instituted what amounts to a "no limits” partnership, a phrasing previously reserved for Moscow's relationship with Beijing.

BP announces first oil from Atlantis Drill Center 1 expansion in US Gulf

BP has achieved first oil from the Atlantis Drill Center 1 expansion project in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Shell sanctions Kaikias waterflood project in US Gulf

Shell has taken a final investment decision on a waterflood project at its offshore Kaikias field in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Brazil faces oil output decline after 2030 as new field discoveries plummet, gas imports rise

Brazil's oil and gas self-sufficiency faces threats in the coming decade as new field discoveries plummet and domestic production approaches its peak.