FEATURE-AI data explosion in Mexico fuels rise of dirty energy
The country's power infrastructure is overloaded and pollution has increased due to the shortfall in green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy. These servers power the most powerful technology companies…
AI data explosion in Mexico fuels growth in dirty energy
The lack of green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity, has overloaded and increased local pollution. Masheika Allgood is the founder of AllAI Consulting. She provides information on data center environmental impacts. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy.
BP appoints Woodside's Meg O'Neill to be CEO following Auchincloss' abrupt departure
BP, a major oil and gas company, announced that it has appointed Meg O'Neill as its 'CEO', effective April 1, after abruptly removing 'Murray' Auchincloss. O'Neill is the first CEO to be appointed by BP from outside of the company, and the first female to lead any of the top five oil companies in the world. Her unexpected appointment shows that the British oil giant is looking to improve its business…
Sonnedix secures contracts in Italy for 805 MW solar power
Sonnedix, a renewable energy company backed by JP Morgan and sponsored by three Italian government schemes, has been awarded contracts to install 805 megawatts in solar capacity under three different government schemes. Solar power, considered easier to develop than wind projects because of Italy's geographic characteristics, is playing a key role in the energy transformation in Italy.
The US government is under pressure from the Fusion Energy Industry to provide billions of dollars in support
On Monday, fusion energy industry leaders met U.S. Department of Energy representatives to encourage them to provide billions of dollars to projects that seek to?generate electrical power by the same process as the sun. In November, the?department?created an Office of Fusion as part of a reorganization which focused on fossil and nuclear energy. Renewable energy offices were eliminated.
Vulcan Energy secures $2.6 billion in financing for Germany Lithium project
Vulcan, a company listed in Australia, announced on Wednesday it had received a funding package worth 2.2 billion euro ($2.56 billion), which will be used to fund the entire first phase of Lionheart's lithium and renewable energy projects in Germany. The funding package, supported by stakeholders such as European and German Government agencies and commercial bankers, has allowed the Vulcan Board to make a final decision on the investment.
Are renewables prepared for the COP30 discussion on fossil fuels?
At the climate summit, it may be premature to declare the end to the fossil fuel age. But up to 80 nations are calling for a concrete plan that will move us away from polluting energy. The 195 countries at the COP30, including the oil producers, will have to agree on a plan to reduce oil and gas consumption. There are also practical challenges to overcome…
PowerChina focuses on renewables for growth in Africa
A company executive revealed that China's Power Construction Corp. (PowerChina), a state-owned corporation, is targeting significant growth in Africa by focusing on renewable projects as part its overseas expansion strategy. Chinese lending to African countries has dropped sharply since a peak in 2016 of around $28 billion per year, as Beijing becomes more cautious about the debt risk.
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.