Malawi installs the first utility-scale solar battery
Malawi completed the installation of the only utility-scale storage system in southern 'Africa outside South 'Africa and Namibia. The 20-megawatt battery facility is designed to stabilise the 'power supply' in one 'of the least 'electrified' countries. Over the weekend, officials from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi switched on the battery as part of the country's efforts to improve its resilience to climate shocks. El Nino is expected to bring higher temperatures that will reduce the flow of the Shire River. This river provides Malawi with most of its hydropower. The government wants to raise this figure to 70% by 2030.
The largest US grid paid a record $1 billion in Q1 to power plants that lost money.
According to data from the. The'so-called 'uplift payments' by PJM interconnection, which cover a populated region from Washington D.C. up to the Great Lakes went mainly to?power plants that were dispatched even though they did not earn enough on the wholesale electricity markets to cover the costs of their natural gas. These huge payments are ultimately borne by the ratepayers via their electricity bills. They reflect an aging system that is already struggling to meet demand from data centres feeding the AI boom.
Fervo Energy raises US $1.89 billion through its IPO
Fervo Energy, a developer of geothermal energy, announced on Tuesday that it raised $1.89billion in its enlarged U.S. IPO. This shows the strong investor interest for this listing. Houston-based company sold 70 million shares at $27 each, securing an estimated valuation of $7.66 billion. Price range increased earlier this week from $21-$24 to $25-$26 per share. The soaring demand for data centers to support artificial intelligence tasks is tightening the U.S. electricity supply. This, combined with rapid electrification in transportation…
Bangladesh switches to solar energy as Middle East crises drive energy risks
Bangladesh has issued tenders for solar power of 495 megawatts, as it aims to reduce its dependence on imported fuels. The?Iran war? is driving a global rise in energy prices. The Bangladesh Power Development Board invited bids on 10 grid-connected projects ranging in size from 25 MW up to 100 MW. Private investors are expected to develop the plants. They will be located near existing'substations' in order to reduce grid strain and support grid stability. BPDB officials?said that the deadline for final bids is June 28. Although Bangladesh had previously set targets for renewable energy expansion, progress was slow.
Botswana signs mineral and energy exploration deal with Oman
The presidency announced on Monday that a trip to Oman to strengthen economic relations led by the Botswana president resulted in multiple agreements, including those on mineral exploration, oil storage infrastructure, and renewable energy. Botswana is seeking to engage Gulf States as part of its strategy for diversification beyond diamond mining to include critical minerals like copper, gold graphite and iron ore. The presidency announced that President Duma Boko, who was 'on a 3-day visit', presided at the signing of agreements with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman.
German Spot Contracts Rise Due to Lower Wind Forecast
Early trading saw the German and French baseload contracts split as wind output in Germany was falling but in France it was rising. LSEG data show that the German baseload day-ahead power?contract rose by 10.7% at?0928 GM time to 111.01 euros ($131.45 per megawatt hour). The French equivalent contract fell 5.2% to 41.25 euros/MWh. LSEG data shows that German wind power production is expected to drop by 5.1 Gigawatts on Wednesday to 10.2 GW. French wind power, however, is expected to increase by 1.9 GW up to 12.3 GW. Independent advisers to the European Union said that they were not prepared for climate change.
EDF's costs are higher due to oversupply of electricity
EDF, the French nuclear operator, said that it would have to increase its maintenance costs by around 1.5 million euros to 3.75 millions euros per year because it has to reduce power in 'its nuclear reactors' to a'respond to an increased electricity supply and a slow demand. Around 70% of French power comes from nuclear energy, which accounts for about half of the state-owned EDF revenue. However, the recent addition of solar power has changed the way nuclear reactors are operated. EDF stated that the increase in renewable energy led to a "fundamental" change in the way it modulates its production.
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed an important energy transition threshold by installing more clean power generation capacity than fossil fuel generation capacity. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean power generation in operation by 2025. This compares to the?1,420-GW capacity powered by coal, gas, and other fossil fuels. China has now a 51% share of its energy fleet that is derived from clean sources. It joins Brazil, France, and Germany as major economies that are primarily powered by clean sources.
Maguire: Australia's renewable energy boom will deliver a coveted price for power
Australia's wholesale power prices dropped to their lowest level in four years by 2025. This bucking of rising prices elsewhere, and proving that renewables-intensive power systems can lower power costs for consumers. The increased battery storage capacity, and the solar farms could allow utilities to reduce operating costs. These savings may be passed on to businesses and households as early as this year. According to Ember, an energy think tank, Australia's electrical system has been undergoing 'one of the most aggressive' overhauls in the last decade. The clean electricity production has more than doubled since 2019.
Russian Drones Hit Odesa Energy Infrastructure, Cutting Power
Russian forces struck energy facilities in Ukraine's Odesa region on the Black Sea overnight, leaving over 95,000 people in the southern part of the region without power, a regional official said on Tuesday.Russia launched 125 drones at Ukraine overnight and Ukrainian air defence units shot down or neutralised 110, the Ukrainian air force said.Oleh Kiper, Odesa regional governor, said the small town of Kilia was in the most difficult situation, as more than 200 buildings housing 9,000 people depended on electricity for heat."At night…
Philippines discovers first natural gas in over a decade
The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced on Monday that gas and condensate were found in a well near the existing 'Malampaya' gas field, off the island Palawan. This was the first natural gas discovery by the Philippines in over a decade. Marcos stated that the well, known as 'Malampaya East One or MAE-1', contains about 98 billion cubic foot of gas. This is equivalent to nearly 14 billion kWh in one year. Initial test results showed that the well was flowing at 60 million cubic foot per day. The well is capable of producing even more.
Ministry says that the technical problem at Iraq's Khor Mor Gas Field is causing a drop in power supply to Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Ministry of Electricity announced on Thursday that the electricity supply in Kurdistan had dropped by 1,000 megawatts because of a "technical problem" at the Khor Mor gas fields, one of the largest in the Kurdish Region. The ministry of electricity stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the UAE's Dana Gas team, who?jointly operated the field?, are working to restore stability. A?source on the ground also stated that the technical glitch was being repaired?and is expected to be fixed in a few hours.
Russia strikes Ukraine energy grid, one death reported
Officials said that Russia had launched a barrage overnight of drones and rockets against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, forcing power restrictions across the country and killing a person in Zaporizhzhia. As the winter months approach, Prime Minister Yulia svyrydenko said that Moscow was targeting Ukrainians and their power supplies. "Its aim is to plunge Ukraine in darkness." Svyrydenko stated on Telegram that "ours is to maintain the light." To stop the terror we need to increase air defence systems, tighten sanctions and put maximum pressure on the aggressor.
Rio Tinto warns of an uncertain future for Australia's largest aluminum smelter
Rio Tinto warned that Australia's biggest aluminium smelter Tomago may have to close down if it cannot source power at rates commercially viable beyond 2028, when its current electricity deal expires. Tomago Aluminium, the largest power user in New South Wales, was built to take advantage Australia's abundant and cheap coal. Rio Tinto stated that power accounts for more than 40% in Tomago’s operating costs. Both coal-fired options and renewables are expected to increase sharply once the existing contract expires. This could threaten Tomago’s commercial future.
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. Two of Singapore's three refineries, operated by Exxon Mobil Chevron, and PetroChina, are located on the 3,000-hectare Jurong Island.
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. Two of Singapore's three refineries, operated by Exxon Mobil Chevron, and PetroChina, are located on the 3,000-hectare Jurong Island.
Malaysia: Multilateral power deal delayed due to Thai politics; renewal expected next month
Malaysia's Energy Minister said that Thailand has postponed the renewal of a multilateral power trading agreement in Southeast Asia due to changes in local politics. The Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (LTMS) Project to supply hydropower from Laos via Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia is now expected to be renewed in November, Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Fadillah Yusof told . The Constitutional Court removed Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in August. Anutin Charnvirakul was appointed to the position the following month.
Malaysia: Multilateral power deal delayed due to Thai politics; renewal expected next month
Malaysia's Energy Minister said that Thailand has postponed the renewal of a multilateral power trading agreement in Southeast Asia due to changes in local politics. The Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (LTMS) Project to supply hydropower from Laos via Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia is now expected to be renewed in November, Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Fadillah Yusof told . The Constitutional Court removed Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in August. Anutin Charnvirakul was appointed the following month.
Adani's solar deal is in trouble due to Andhra Pradesh’s request for transmission fee waiver
Three sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the main buyer of Adani Green Energy's solar power, the state of Andhra Pradesh in the south, has requested guarantees regarding the waiver of transmission charges. Federal law mandates the transmission fee which can increase the cost by up to 40%. Therefore, waiving this would be difficult. Three sources claim that since April, Adani has been sending letters to Andhra Pradesh urging them to start off-taking power in accordance with a 2021 agreement. Adani Green…
Adani Solar deal in trouble over Andhra Pradesh's demand for waiver of transmission fees
Three sources who have direct knowledge of this matter say that the main buyer of solar power from Adani Green Energy, the state of Andhra Pradesh in the south, has requested guarantees regarding the waiver of transmission charges. Federal law mandates the transmission fee which can increase the cost by up to 40%. Therefore, waiving this would be difficult. Three sources claim that since April, Adani has been sending letters to Andhra Pradesh urging them to start off-taking power in accordance with a 2021 agreement.