🎯Today's Energy Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: Saudi Arabia prequalifies firms for new gas transmission grids
The Energy Ministry has pre‑qualified eight standalone firms and seven consortia to design, build, own and operate natural‑gas transmission networks in five key industrial cities. The BOO scheme targets Al‑Kharj, Sudair and three Jeddah zones, with a technical‑bid deadline of 23 April 2026. A total of 36 industrial cities are slated for future grid development.
Also developing:
By the numbers: DOF Group acquires two high‑end AHTS vessels for $100M
News•Feb 20, 2026
US Removing Guardrails From Proposed Saudi Nuclear Deal, Document Says
President Trump has sent Congress a draft 123 Agreement to launch a civil nuclear partnership with Saudi Arabia that omits the long‑standing Additional Protocol and other non‑proliferation guardrails. The document allows Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment and spent‑fuel reprocessing, capabilities that could be diverted to weapons. Arms‑control advocates and many lawmakers warn the deal sets a risky precedent amid rising global nuclear tensions. Congress now has a 90‑day window to reject the pact before it becomes law.
By Al-Monitor – All
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Renewables Need Fossil Backup, Not Standalone Power
When you see that a new solar and wind project is said to “power” some large number of homes or factories or data centers—know that the solar and wind are “powering” nothing by themselves, since they are entirely dependent on...
By Alex Epstein
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Spend $33B on Flexibility, Not Idle Gas Plant
For $33B he could have solved the entire PJM capacity auction challenge with demand flexibility through 2029, but sure overpay for a gas plant that won’t run more than 20% of the year…
By Jigar Shah
News•Feb 20, 2026
Energy Insiders Podcast: How Industry, AI and Data Centres Are Reshaping Demand
GridBeyond CEO Michael Phelan explains how AI‑driven orchestration of industrial loads and data‑centre consumption, combined with battery storage, can reveal gigawatts of hidden flexibility for Australia’s power grid. The podcast outlines the technical mechanisms that enable real‑time demand shaping and...
By RenewEconomy
Social•Feb 20, 2026
NSW Orders ASL to Launch 2033‑34 Firming Tender
Australia’s NSW directs ASL to deliver firming tender for 2033-34 capacity shortfall #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/quhWxiedz6
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Solar and Batteries Keep Texas Lights On During Storms
How solar and batteries help keep lights on during Texas winter storms #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/5axxvNAZbV
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 20, 2026
Shares of Local Oil Explorers Surge on Supply Disruption Fears
Shares of Indian upstream explorers jumped as Brent crude breached $71 per barrel amid renewed US‑Iran tensions and temporary Strait of Hormuz closures. Oil India rose 5.2% and ONGC gained 3.6%, while downstream marketers HPCL and BPCL slipped nearly 5%...
By Economic Times — Markets
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Land Slope Crucial for Agrivoltaics Feasibility
The impact of land slope on agrivoltaics feasibility #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/1dyekySen9 https://t.co/mWobgzJS84
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 20, 2026
AI Meets Energy: Threat or Smart Decentralized Grid?
AI + energy: the monster child of Origin and Facebook? Or a smart, decentralised grid? #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/McuXZpgKBG https://t.co/ocHZceR4p4
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 19, 2026
Trump’s Energy Dominance Clashes with Soaring Bills at Home
U.S. LNG exports are set to climb from 15 Bcf/d last year to 18.1 Bcf/d by 2027, driving record natural‑gas production. The surge in feed‑gas demand and AI‑powered data‑center growth is tightening domestic supply, pushing residential and wholesale electricity prices higher. While...
By OilPrice.com – Main
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Gas Turbine Shortage Threatens Big Tech’s Grid‑Independent Power Push
With electric grids across the country already under strain, Big Tech is racing to build and deploy power generation capacity that’s independent of the grid. Indeed, the push for behind-the-meter (BTM) generation was a major theme of the PowerGen conference...
By Robert Bryce
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Pembina Flags Flaws in Canada‑Alberta MOU Deal
Pembina Raises Serious Questions about Canada-Alberta MOU Negotiations Janetta McKenzie of @pembina Institute has 4 concerns: 1 AB's TIER system is gutted 2 @cdnoilsands can fund its own CCS 3 No taxpayer $$ for pipeline 4 No perks for AB #ableg #abpoli https://youtu.be/ajQssj0URRs
By Markham Hislop
News•Feb 19, 2026
Market Watch: Nymex Dips Below $3 Amid Mild March Outlook
Nymex natural gas futures for March slipped 1.5 cents to $2.996 per MMBtu on Thursday. This marks the first time the prompt‑month contract has settled below the $3 threshold since mid‑October. Despite short‑term expectations of cooler weather early next week, analysts...
By Energy Intelligence
Social•Feb 19, 2026
China Debunks Trump's Claim with Airborne Wind Turbine
Hilarious — Trump claims China has no wind energy, meanwhile, news just came out China has successful tested a new airborne wind turbine that is essentially held up by a helium blimp. Oh yeah, btw, China is the world’s number...
By Renewable Energy Club (Jonathan Rasmusson)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Spot Cash Electricity Prices, Feb. 19, 2026
On February 19, 2026, the U.S. spot cash electricity market posted a 3.2% increase in average price, reaching $58.4 per megawatt‑hour. The rise reflected higher natural‑gas forward curves and a dip in wind generation across the Midwest. Day‑ahead trading volumes...
By Energy Intelligence
News•Feb 19, 2026
TIP Solar Raises $179.7 Million in ABS From Residential Solar, PPA Leases
TIP Solar, backed by GoodLeap’s residential solar leases and PPAs, has issued $179.7 million in asset‑backed securities. The ABS are collateralized by 7,812 leases held by Jaguar Solar Owner 2026‑1 and structured into A‑ and B‑tranches with anticipated repayments through March 2033 and...
By Asset Securitization Report
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Armenia Faces Nuclear Dilemma, U.S. Aid Could Break Deadlock
Armenia's power is supplied by what is widely considered the least safe nuclear reactor on the planet, and it has no money to replace it. With Russia occupied in Ukraine, the country is desperately searching for a solution. On one end,...
By Peter Zeihan
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Winter Storms Expose Solar and Wind’s Reliability Limits
When winter storms arrive, solar and wind frequently generate less than 10% of their supposed "capacity." If we tried to truly rely on solar and wind to the point of shutting down more fossil fuel plants, Americans would have routine blackouts. Do...
By Alex Epstein
News•Feb 19, 2026
AI + Energy: Monster Child of Origin and Facebook – or a Smart, Decentralised Grid?
Luis Gonzalez, chief data and AI officer at Aboitiz Power, argues that the data industry will become the primary driver of the energy transition by using AI to finance and operate renewable assets. He envisions a future where computation is...
By RenewEconomy
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Ethiopia’s 2024 Petrol Ban Saves $5B, Fuels
Ethiopia didn’t ban petrol cars in 2024 to hug trees: Importing oil was bleeding them dry - costing over $5b/ year in precious foreign exchange From close to zero before the 2024 ban, EV sales now make up over 60% of...
By Assaad Razzouk
Social•Feb 19, 2026
ProEnergy and OpenSolar Launch Distributor Inventory Platform
ProEnergy Supply, OpenSolar partner on distributor inventory platform #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/nIVR6ZGZhz
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 19, 2026
Data Centers and Your Power Bill
Tech firms are pouring billions into energy‑intensive data centers as U.S. electricity demand climbs, prompting political scrutiny over rising utility bills. The White House has suggested that these companies finance new power‑plant capacity, while Senators Hawley and Blumenthal introduced legislation...
By The New York Times – Climate
Social•Feb 19, 2026
US Solar and Wind Spending Yields No Economic Value
Even though solar and wind theoretically have value as intermittent fuel-savers, the hundreds of billions spent on them in the US so far have mostly amounted to burning other people’s money and have created no economic value whatsoever.
By Alex Epstein
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Discussing Good Energy Policy on a Non‑Partisan Podcast
I’ve been seeking out more non-partisan forums to share my views. Here's a non-partisan podcast I went on recently to give an overview of what I think good energy policy looks like. https://t.co/D2c1X4Z1Jj
By Alex Epstein
News•Feb 19, 2026
House E15 Council Eyes More US Biofuel Quota Waivers
The House Republican‑led E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council has revised its biofuel exemption plan, raising the annual cap from 450 million to 550 million Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits. The proposal also authorizes year‑round sales of 15% ethanol gasoline (E15) and expands...
By Argus Media – News
Social•Feb 19, 2026
State Launches $50M CopperString Community Benefits Fund
Transmission “legacy:” State launches $50m CopperString community benefits fund #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/weTwWmtyUm https://t.co/D29AYgcZJx
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 19, 2026
SPX Flat While DE Soars, Oil Breaks Out, COIN Spikes
$SPX is still stuck between 6800 and 7000. But under the surface, $DE exploded higher on earnings, $CVX and $COP broke out with crude oil, and $COIN is showing amplified volatility vs #Bitcoin. Here’s what I’m watching next: https://t.co/bQnwyKMJeh https://t.co/v7DLLL1mYC
By David Keller, CMT
News•Feb 19, 2026
Long-Awaited Reports Outline Problems with Palisades Infrastructure
Los Angeles hired AECOM for three $5 million reports that map a $1 billion, 2024‑2033 recovery strategy for Pacific Palisades after the deadly 2025 fire. The studies expose pervasive fire‑code violations, narrow streets and evacuation bottlenecks, and call for aggressive brush‑clearance, water‑system...
By Los Angeles Times – Climate & Environment
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Assessing the Future Viability of Virtual Power Plants
Will Virtual Power Plants Ever Really Be a Thing? #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/dcAFkIKHrx https://t.co/KJjvjkI94m
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 19, 2026
PV Yield Measurements Achieve 0.15% Uncertainty
Fraunhofer ISE, PTB report just 0.15% uncertainty in PV module yield measurements #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/ciKzGySvHh https://t.co/EC74qdInx6
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 19, 2026
Kazakhstan Thermal Coal Production Falls in Jan
Kazakhstan’s thermal coal production slipped 1.7% YoY to 9.92 million tonnes in January, while total coal output fell 0.7% to 10.31 million tonnes. Despite the dip, the government is rolling out a national project to add about 7.6 GW of coal‑fired capacity by...
By Argus Media – News & analysis
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Base Power Enters Regulated Utility Energy Storage Market
Base Power takes first step into distributed energy storage market for regulated utilities #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/a4LRie1NmE
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 19, 2026
AEMC May Be Right on Fixed Network Costs
Could the AEMC be “kinda right” about fixed network costs? Late submission lobs curveball into debate #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/M5UcGqLiiu https://t.co/EAQf6ckk0b
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 19, 2026
Spanish Spot to Deliver Well Below Feb Expectations
The Spanish electricity spot index plunged to an average €12.66/MWh for 1‑20 February, far below the €50.55/MWh forward contract and last year’s €116.88/MWh level. Wind generation surged 123% year‑on‑year to 11.2 GW, while gas‑fired output fell 25% to 3.6 GW, driving the price...
By Argus Media – News & analysis
Social•Feb 19, 2026
AI Data Centers Drain Power of 100k Homes
According to a report from the International Energy Agency, an average AI datacenter consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households. AI = HIGHER ELECTRICITY PRICES = AN AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM. https://t.co/65QNfr2y4U
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Europe's Energy Storage GWh Investments Surge This Week
Gigawatt-hours of investments, tolls, optimisation and platform financing across Europe this week #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/ypYzZ8xa8y
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
News•Feb 19, 2026
Energy Ministers Fail to Agree on Climate Goals as US Drives Wedge
Energy ministers at the International Energy Agency meeting failed to produce a joint climate‑change communiqué, as U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright aggressively challenged the agency’s net‑zero agenda. European ministers, led by the UK, France and Spain, reaffirmed the importance of...
By Financial Times – Climate Capital
Social•Feb 19, 2026
A Decade of Solar Growth Celebrated by SEIA President
Solar Energy Industries Association president reflects on decade of progress #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/tbHnPi0r3A https://t.co/0nNhikDzH0
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Social•Feb 19, 2026
SALD Unveils Large‑Area Sheet‑to‑Sheet Perovskite Tool
SALD launches large area sheet-to-sheet tool for perovskite solar pilot lines #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/1T4zFQX3n4 https://t.co/XXG8fpaR0N
By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
How Texas Turned a Grid Failure Into a Public Bailout
The episode examines Texas’s 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which knocked out half of ERCOT’s capacity and caused massive blackouts. While the market design intended to let extreme events impose financial penalties on generators that failed to hedge, regulators intervened—forcing a...
By Texas Energy and Power Newsletter
Social•Feb 19, 2026
US Strike Risk Adds Premium to Oil Market
Expectations of a possible US strike on Iran—currently oscillating between wait-and-see and watchful anticipation—have introduced a risk premium into an otherwise well-supplied oil market. My talk w/ @KellyCNBC @CNBCTheExchange https://t.co/XwyD5XmiRg
By Daniel Yergin
News•Feb 19, 2026
Brazos Starts Up New Gas Processing Plant in Midland Basin
Brazos Midstream commissioned its largest cryogenic plant, Sundance II, adding 300 MMcfd of processing capacity in the Midland Basin and joining the 200 MMcfd Sundance I that began operations in 2024. The company also broke ground on Cassidy I, another 300 MMcfd cryogenic facility in Glasscock...
By Rigzone – News
News•Feb 19, 2026
Centrica Earnings: In Line With Expectations, Share Buyback Pause Disappoints
Centrica reported a 41% plunge in 2025 earnings per share to GBX 11, matching FactSet consensus. After completing a £2 billion share‑buyback programme, the company announced a pause to the scheme. Soft 2026 guidance, driven by weaker gas and power trading, pushed...
By Morningstar UK – News
News•Feb 19, 2026
Orsted’s Hornsea Chief Describes 'Juggling Act' After Monopile Deal Collapse
Orsted’s Hornsea 3 chief announced the collapse of a major monopile contract, forcing the 2.9 GW offshore wind project to pause its foundation procurement. The decision highlights the difficulty of securing large‑scale steel structures for the UK’s expanding offshore wind fleet....
By Recharge News
News•Feb 19, 2026
USA Says VEN Oil Output Can Climb 30-40 Pct This Year
The Trump administration has issued new licenses permitting several Western oil companies to operate in Venezuela, potentially boosting the country's output by 30‑40 percent—roughly 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day—this year. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the increase would represent...
By Rigzone – News
News•Feb 19, 2026
Equinor Halts Dutch CCS-H2 Plans, Belgian Site Still On
Equinor has scrapped its Dutch H2M Eemshaven CCS‑hydrogen project, citing policy uncertainty and insufficient funding, while the Belgian H2BE plant remains on schedule. Both plants were designed to produce 210,000 t/yr of low‑carbon hydrogen using autothermal reforming and each received roughly €160 million...
By Argus Media – News & analysis
News•Feb 19, 2026
EIA Lowers USA Gasoline Price Forecasts
The U.S. Energy Information Administration trimmed its gasoline price outlook, now projecting an average of $2.91 per gallon in 2026 and $2.93 in 2027, down slightly from the January forecast of $2.92 and $2.95. The agency’s short‑term energy outlook still...
By Rigzone – News
News•Feb 19, 2026
Russia Warns of Escalation as US-Iran Tensions Intensify
Russia warned of an unprecedented escalation around Iran as the United States completes a military buildup slated for mid‑March. A Russian corvette joined Iranian naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, underscoring Moscow’s support amid heightened US‑Iran tensions. Negotiations over...
By BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
News•Feb 19, 2026
Martin Midstream Partners' Annual Loss Deepens
Martin Midstream Partners reported a $14.7 million net loss for 2025, widening from a $5.2 million loss in 2024. The loss was driven primarily by $57.8 million in interest expense and higher SG&A costs, while adjusted EBITDA fell to $99 million for the year....
By Rigzone – News
Social•Feb 19, 2026
IEA Chief Stalls Net‑zero Commitment for Next Outlook
👀IEA head Fatih Birol, in press conference after ministerial meeting, does not commit to keeping the "net zero" scenario in the next flagship World Energy Outlook. Notes the last WEO just came out a few months ago, haven't considered the...
By Ben Geman