REM - Renewable Energy
Burning forests and reduced carbon uptake by plants failed to mitigate climate change in 2023
Forests and other land ecosystems failed to mitigate climate change in 2023, as severe drought in the Amazon rainforest and record wildfires in Canada hindered their natural capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.
Solarbelt to construct two solar power plants in Vranje
The city of Vranje in southern Serbia has leased 205,674 square metres of land to Solarbelt, a Belgrade-based company, for the construction of two 9-MW solar power plants, according to an announcement on the city’s website on July 30.
Wind turbines and solar panels have overtaken fossil fuels to generate 30% of the EU's electricity in 1H24
Wind turbines and solar panels have overtaken fossil fuels in generating 30% of the European Union's electricity during the first half of 2024, according to a report by climate think-tank Ember, the Guardian reports.
The West is bleeding the Global South of wealth thanks to massive wage inequality, says study
The developed markets of the West are bleeding the Global South of wealth thanks to massive differences in nominal wages, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
Wind and solar to make up 40% of China’s power capacity by year-end
Wind and solar power accounted for 38.4% of China's overall installed capacity in the first half of the year, surpassing coal-fired capacity, which fell to 38.1%, according to a report by the China Electricity Council (CEC).
China-based firm to construct 65-MW PV solar power plant in Negros Oriental
The government of the Philippines has announced a new partnership with Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Company Limited, a leading subsidiary of the China Energy Engineering Group, to build a large-scale 65-MW photovoltaic solar power plant
LongNeng Power launches first energy management contract in the Philippines
LongNeng Power has launched its first Energy Management Contract (EMC) project in the Philippines, aiming to help advance the country’s renewable energy sector.
UK gas network ready for 100% hydrogen, study says
The UK natural gas network is now ready to supply clean hydrogen as a fuel for homes and industry.
Global temperature record shattered again
July 22 was the hottest day on record, according to NASA.
The AMOC Gulf Stream current may collapse as soon as 2025, says study
A new study predicts the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation), a oceanic current that brings warm water to the northern Atlantic, could collapse as soon as 2025, ushering in a new ice age in northern Europe.
Uranium prices surge on rising AI-driven power demand
Long-term uranium contract prices have surged to their highest levels in over 16 years, driven by supply uncertainties and increasing demand from utilities expanding their capacity to power rapidly growing AI data centres,
Permafrost thaw accelerating climate change, studies warn
Russia’s permafrost is melting but the ground is still frozen, trapping gigatonnes of primoradial CO₂ in the ice. However, as temperatures rise, the Arctic regions are already releasing more carbon dioxide than they are absorbing.
Romania’s Prime Batteries close to completing €270mn power storage devices factory
The battery factory developed by Romanian company Prime Batteries Technology in Cernica near Bucharest will complete at the end of November its planned tenfold increase in production capacity, up to 2 GWh, after an investment of €270mn.
Net electricity production in Bosnia decreased 24.5% y/y in May
Net electricity production in Bosnia & Herzegovina amounted to 1,013 GWh in June, which is 24.5% less than in the same month of 2023, and 6.6% more than in April.
Indonesia’s renewable energy investment target for 2024 seen as challenging
The investment target for the Renewable Energy sector in 2024 is deemed difficult to achieve due to the lack of realised projects
Global solar panel glut caused by Chinese overproduction
There is an overproduction of solar panels worldwide, with production capacity exceeding demand by 2 TW. This surplus has led to falling prices.
Fortis Energy to build 180 MW solar plant in Serbia
Turkey’s renewable energy producer Fortis Energy has acquired a 180 MW solar project with a battery energy storage system in Sremska Mitrovica, a town in north-west Serbia, the company announced on July 26.
US Treasury Sec - $3 trillion needed annually for global climate financing
The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the energy transition to a low-carbon economy will need $3 trillion in new capital yearly until 2050, which is significantly above current yearly financing.
Turkey announces $5bn incentive package in bid to boost EV production to at least 1mn cars/year
Spain’s Iberdrola to boost renewable energy use in Brazilian military facilities
Neoenergia, a Brazilian offshoot of Spanish energy major Iberdrola, has struck a deal with the country's Defense Ministry to implement eco-friendly energy solutions across military sites.
UAE's Masdar eyes green energy expansion in Europe
Ghana inaugurates 16.82-MW rooftop solar plant, Africa's largest
Ghana's renewable energy sector received a significant boost with the inauguration of a 16.82-MW rooftop photovoltaic solar plant in Tema, marking the largest single rooftop solar installation in Africa.
Energy Commission of Nigeria breaks ground on solar PV assembly plant
At the ground-breaking ceremony in Enugu State, Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General and CEO of the ECN, highlighted the project's significance in tackling the inefficiencies of Nigeria's existing electricity grid.
US, UK called out on hypocrisy on climate pledges as they ramp up oil and gas exploration to record levels
The US and UK have been accused of hypocrisy as they blow through their carbon budget allowances and issue record amounts of oil and gas exploration licences, The Guardian reports, according to a new report from energy consultant Rystad and the IISD.
Sea levels rise 10 cm since 1993 as ice caps melt
Sea levels are now 10 cm higher than in 1993, and the rise is accelerating, according to new high-resolution satellite measurements by NASA.
Indonesia's first hybrid power plant to use green hydrogen and ammonia
The Java 9 and 10 coal-fired power plants in Suralaya, Banten, are set to become Indonesia's first power plants to use green hydrogen and ammonia alongside coal in their production processes
Japan and India lead the way on Asian nuclear fusion, SMR sector expansion
British inertial fusion energy developer First Light Fusion recently hosted a delegation from the Japanese government, led by State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Serbia and Azerbaijan near green energy deal
Azerbaijan is poised to sign an agreement soon to supply green energy to Serbia, Azerbaijan's Labour Minister Sahil Babayev told local news on July 25.
Global wildfires pump out four times more CO2 than aviation sector
Raging wildfires exacerbated by climate change are pumping out vast quantities of carbon dioxide and dramatically reducing tree cover. This creates a fires-climate feedback loop. Northern latitudes are especially susceptible.
Iran shuts government offices, banks nationwide as heatwave sends power usage skyrocketing
An unprecedented heatwave sweeping Iran forced authorities to shutter all government offices and banks nationwide on July 28 as rising electricity demand continued to overtax the national grid.
South Africa’s power utility Eskom advances plans for small modular nuclear reactors
South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom has announced its plans to build a demonstration modular nuclear reactor as part of the country’s strategy to increase nuclear power generation in its energy mix and reduce CO2 emissions.
Kazakh-American joint venture to conduct exploration of rare-earth elements at Akbulak site
Vietnam proposes state-owned enterprises lead offshore wind pilot projects
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has recommended that state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including major energy firms and military-run entities, spearhead pilot projects for offshore wind power development.
Malaysia’s Petronas advances carbon capture hub with Kuantan Port Agreement
Malaysia’s state-owned energy company Petronas, through its subsidiary Petronas CCS Solutions, has entered into a land rental agreement with Kuantan Port Consortium
Singapore-based Hann-Ocean Energy wraps up successful wave energy project in China
Hann-Ocean Energy, based in Singapore, has successfully concluded its wave energy project on Shengsi Island in Zhejiang Province after conducting sea trials for two and a half years
India prioritises nuclear, coal, and pumped storage in energy strategy shift
India's government has unveiled a significant shift in its energy strategy, placing emphasis on small modular nuclear reactors, advanced coal-fired power plants, and pumped energy storage projects.
Serbia sets ambitious new climate targets for 2030
The Government of Serbia has adopted a national energy and climate plan with ambitious new targets, including sourcing 45% of electricity from renewables by 2030, the Minister of Mining and Energy announced on July 25.
Plants absorbing less carbon dioxide in 2023, accelerating global warming
Plants and trees' ability to absorb carbon dioxide fell dramatically in 2023, due to increased heat stress in vegetation, a new study revealed.
Ukraine war makes Caspian Sea environmental crisis worse
The war in Ukraine is making a growing environmental crisis in the Caspian Sea worse, claims Zaur Shiriyev, a scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Pollution from the war is making an already bad situation worse.
Premier Energy completes takeover of 80MW wind farm in Romania
The transaction by which utilities group Premier Energy (BVB: PE), controlled by Czech businessman Jiri Smejc, takes over an 80MW wind farm in Eastern Romania from Iberdrola was cleared by the Competition Council. Iberdrola exits Romania's market.
Kamala Harris more critical of oil, gas than Biden
Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the White House, took little time before zeroing in on the oil industry.
India plans to co-fire biomass with coal in thermal power plants
Studies confirm that India’s Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) can safely co-fire 5% to 10% biomass with coal without adverse impacts
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