World’s top renewable firms reel even as installations surge
The biggest manufacturers of wind turbines and solar panels are facing their most serious financial challenges in years even as deployments of clean energy head for an annual record.
solar
New 6.7MW Ecosse Solar Park opens in Forfar
A new 20-acre solar park has opened in Angus in the Northeast of Scotland, boosting green energy production in the local area.
Turning sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency
A team of Rice Uni engineers claim they can successfully turn sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency in a single and apparently durable, cost-effective and scalable device.
Renewable power competitiveness in Asia Pacific worsened in 2022
The levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) for utility solar and onshore wind in Asia Pacific were up 16% and 12% respectively since 2020, as equipment, construction costs and interest rates rose in the region. However, China was insulated from the trend.
Petronas buys big Australian solar portfolio for top dollar
Petronas is the latest big oil company to move into Australian renewables, with the Malaysia state-backed energy company reportedly poised to acquire the local assets of German solar and storage developer Wirsol.
Mega Australia-Singapore solar cable project wins lifeline to carry on building
An ambitious plan to power Singapore using Australian solar won another lifeline on Wednesday after a court in Sydney agreed to a sales process put forward by the project’s administrators.
Bangladesh leans to coal power as renewables face challenges
Bangladesh is set to increase its coal-based power generation capacity to ensure supply security at a time when many other countries are focussing on cutting dependency on thermal coal power to achieve climate goals.
Australia’s Woodside pumps record oil and gas, eyes more FIDs in 2023
Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) produced record volumes of oil and gas in 2022, the Australian LNG exporter announced today as it released its fourth quarter financials. Woodside is also getting ready for numerous final investment decisions (FIDs) on various projects in 2023.
South Korea curbs plans for renewables in push for more nuclear
South Korea will boost nuclear power generation and downgrade its plans for renewable energy as the nation overhauls its electricity mix to meet emissions reduction targets.
Low-carbon investments to rise by $60bn in 2023 as hydrogen and CCUS spending surges
Spending on low-carbon projects will increase by $60 billion this year, 10% higher than 2022, led by wind developments, but helped by a significant rise in funding for hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) infrastructure, Rystad Energy research shows.
Scottish Government mulls upping offshore wind ambitions
Scottish ministers are considering whether to increase the country’s current offshore wind rollout targets.
The $21bn Sun Cable project to power Singapore enters administration
One of Australia’s most ambitious renewable energy projects has entered into voluntary administration after shareholders couldn’t come to a consensus on the future direction and funding of the plan to power Singapore using a 4,200-kilometer (2,600-mile) submarine cable.
Staggering potential in next-gen building blocks for solar
The race to develop the next generation of super-efficient solar panels has just taken a huge step forward with the Swiss top-end technologies group Meyer Burger forging strategic partnerships designed to pave the way to commercialising perovskite-based systems.
BP invests $13.6m in Australia solar company
BP ventures has made a A$20 million (US$13.6 million) investment in 5B Holdings, an Australia-based renewable energy company, which BP said has technology to enable the rapid deployment of solar power at scale.
Crumbling nuclear plant may fuel Philippines after 36-year delay
A nuclear power plant on the Philippines’ western coast has sat idle for nearly four decades, costing billions of dollars and never producing a watt of electricity. Now, it’s at the center of a debate over whether the nation should finally adopt atomic energy.
China, Saudi sign deals as Xi gets warm welcome in Riyadh
China and Saudi Arabia signed a number of agreements, including on energy and investments, after their leaders met in Riyadh on Thursday at a summit that showcased deep and growing ties beyond oil.
Forrest adds CWP’s energy assets in $2.7bn Australia renewables rush
Billionaire Andrew Forrest agreed to acquire Partners Group Holding AG-backed CWP Renewables Pty for about a A$4 billion ($2.7 billion) valuation, extending a rush of deal-making focused on Australia’s accelerating shift to cleaner energy.
India mulls plan to keep old power plants running for longer
India is discussing a plan to keep old power stations running for longer, arguing that they’re needed to meet demand until enough energy storage can be built.
Biden, Jokowi unveil $20bn deal to end coal and speed up net zero push in Indonesia
US President Joe Biden and Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced a climate finance deal providing $20 billion to help Indonesia pivot away from coal power.
PLN picks ACWA to develop floating solar in Indonesia
Saudi Arabia-based developer ACWA will build two floating solar PV projects in Indonesia after winning a deal from Indonesia state-owned electricity utility PLN.
China won’t rush its clean energy transformation, Xi says
President Xi Jinping has promised a slow and steady end to the growth of planet-warming emissions in China, with energy security taking top priority as the country contends with a flagging economy and tumult on global fuel markets.
‘What’s your message to Aberdeen offshore workers?’ GMB asks Labour of energy policy
The GMB Union has posed questions to Labour on its UK energy policy, including the message for thousands of offshore workers in Aberdeen and north-east England who would be impacted.
UK Gov working to ‘break link’ between renewables and gas prices
Work is ongoing to “break the link” between the cost of gas and electricity prices in the UK, the prime minister has confirmed.
Brian Wilson: Energy crisis met with policy vacuum
It’s a couple of months since I suggested the energy crisis would be as big as Covid and thereby demand the same scale of response. It wasn’t a very fashionable thought but perceptions have moved rapidly – everywhere, except where it matters most, in government.
Billionaire bets on renewables in biggest 2022 Philippine IPO
Philippine billionaire Enrique Razon made his fortune operating ports and running casinos. His next target is the country’s nascent renewables industry.