Marcos Announces Big Fuel Price Rollback
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a steep rollback of fuel prices in the Philippines, to take effect next week. Diesel will be reduced by at least P20 per litre (about $0.36), gasoline by P4.43 (~$0.08) and kerosene by P8.50 (~$0.15). The cuts follow an energy‑emergency declaration under Executive Order 110, which lets the government fast‑track petroleum purchases. The move is part of the UPLIFT framework aimed at cushioning households from soaring crude costs linked to the Middle‑East conflict.
Globe Spotlights AI-Powered Energy Efficiency at MWC 2026
Globe highlighted AI‑driven energy efficiency at Mobile World Congress 2026, showing how machine‑learning algorithms trim power at cell sites and optimize cooling systems. The telecom operator reported 20‑30% annual energy savings, a 15% drop in Scope 1‑2 emissions and a 9%...
MCG Partners for 25 Battery Swapping Stations to Boost EV Adoption and Reduce Air Pollution
Madhya Pradesh Capital Region (MCG) has signed an MoU with a private agency to build 25 battery‑swapping stations across the city, covering sectors, markets and community hubs. The stations will support two‑wheelers, auto‑rickshaws, cars and heavy vehicles, while MCG supplies...
How the Oil Barons Are Seeking a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card for Climate Change Damages
The December 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado razed 1,100 homes and generated roughly $500 million in damages, a disaster scientists link to climate change driven by fossil‑fuel emissions. The state’s Boulder‑area governments sued ExxonMobil and Suncor, and after years of appeals...
Chandrapur Plant Ready to Handle Power Demand Spike
The Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, which provides roughly a quarter of Maharashtra’s electricity, has stocked about 5 million metric tonnes of coal to handle the summer demand surge. Chief engineer Anil Kathoye confirmed that units 1 and 2 are already decommissioned and...
Haryana Power Minister Anil Vij Sets Strict Limits on Power Outages, Promises Action
Haryana’s Power Minister Anil Vij ordered distribution companies to limit urban outages to two hours and rural outages to four hours, threatening suspension of superintending engineers for non‑compliance. He cited poor maintenance and faulty equipment as root causes and mandated rapid...
When Data Centers Bring Their Own Power Supply
Global data‑center electricity consumption is projected to double to about 945 TWh within four years, driving an estimated $7 trillion in new infrastructure spending. To meet rapid demand, hyperscalers such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft are bypassing overloaded grids, building private power...
Coal Imports Fall 8.5% in February Amid High Stockpiles, Firm Global Prices
India’s coal imports dropped 8.5% in February, reaching 16.55 million tonnes, as record domestic stockpiles and firm seaborne prices curbed demand. Non‑coking coal fell to 9.80 MT, while coking coal rose slightly to 3.92 MT. Domestic production rose 4.98% to 1,047.5 MT, keeping power‑plant...
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FUELLING WAR: ‘Hypocrisy’: Critics Slam SA for Boosting Coal Exports to Israel Despite Gaza Genocide Case
South Africa’s coal exports to Israel surged in the past two years, reaching roughly 2.99 million tonnes between October 2023 and December 2025, even as Pretoria pursues a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The increase followed Colombia’s decision...
MODEX 2026: Green Cubes Technology Unveils Advanced Lithium Power Technologies
Green Cubes Technology unveiled the next‑generation SAFEFlex lithium‑ion platform at MODEX 2026, marking the company’s 40th anniversary. The system blends higher performance, streamlined serviceability, advanced safety features, and cloud‑based MAESTRO IoT monitoring. In 2023 the firm delivered over 90,000 batteries,...
Powering Progress: First Coal Rake From Gare-Palma Reaches Nagpur, Securing Maharashtra's Energy Future
The first coal rake from the Gare‑Palma Sector 2 mine arrived at Maharashtra’s Koradi Thermal Power Station, concluding an eight‑year effort to operationalise a captive mine allocated to MAHAGENCO by the central government. The high‑grade coal, with a Gross Calorific Value...
US-Iran Islamabad Talks End without Deal as Hormuz Control Remains Key Sticking Point
The United States and Iran held their first high‑level face‑to‑face talks since 1979 in Islamabad, but after more than 21 hours the meeting ended without an agreement. The core dispute centered on the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington demands unrestricted...
Iran Denies Claims that US Vessels Entered Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s military command rejected U.S. claims that two destroyers sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that any vessel must obtain Iranian approval and saying a U.S. ship was forced to turn back. The U.S. Navy maintained the ships transited...
Plug-In Solar Panels: Lidl’s £200 Launch Could Transform UK Energy Habits
Lidl is rolling out a £200 (~$254) plug‑in solar panel kit aimed at UK households, joining a wave of residential solar adoption that now accounts for roughly 7% of the nation’s electricity. Over 180,000 homes installed solar systems in the...
Two Supertankers Including Pakistan-Flagged Ship Take a U-Turn at Hormuz as US-Iran Talks Collapse
Two empty supertankers—Agios Fanourios I and Pakistan‑flagged Shalamar—aborted their passage through the Strait of Hormuz just as US‑Iran peace talks in Pakistan collapsed. A third VLCC, Mombasa B, successfully transited the Iran‑approved channel but did not disclose its destination. The U‑turns...
CNG Price Hiked to ₹82 per Kg in Mumbai; Piped Cooking Gas Rate Remains Unchanged
Mahanagar Gas Limited raised Mumbai’s compressed natural gas (CNG) price by ₹1 to ₹82 per kilogram, roughly $1 per kg, while the domestic piped natural gas (PNG) rate stayed at ₹50 per unit (about $0.60). The hike affects a fleet...
3 Surprising S&P 500 Outperformers of 2026
In 2026 the S&P 500’s top performers have shifted from tech to energy, with Valero Energy, LyondellBasell and APA Corporation ranking 25th, 11th and 14th respectively. A late‑February U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran spiked oil prices and tightened supply, boosting refining margins...
Saudi Arabia Restores Full Capacity on East-West Oil Pipeline to 7 Million Bpd After Attacks
Saudi Arabia announced that its East‑West crude pipeline has been restored to full capacity of about seven million barrels per day, following recent missile and drone attacks. The strikes had temporarily cut national oil production by roughly 600,000 barrels per...
Minister Warns Malaysia Will Enter ‘Critical Period’ for Fuel Supply by June
Malaysia’s Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah warned that June‑July 2026 will be a critical period for fuel supplies as the Middle‑East conflict fuels a global energy shortage. The government is probing alternative raw materials and fast‑tracking certification to keep industries, especially...
South Korea Nears Kazakhstan Oil Deal as Middle East Supply Risks Mount
South Korea is close to finalising a crude‑oil supply agreement with Kazakhstan, a move aimed at reducing its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern imports. The deal follows a high‑level diplomatic tour that also visited Oman and Saudi Arabia amid growing...
Two Supertankers U-Turn in Hormuz as US-Iran Talks Break Down
Two empty supertankers attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz on April 12 but turned back as US‑Iran peace talks collapsed, while a third VLCC, Mombasa B, successfully navigated an Iran‑approved route. The aborted passages underscore the volatility of Hormuz traffic...
In Philippines, LPG Price Shock Reaches Bottom of Beloved Beef Stew Bowls
The Philippines’ reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has turned costly after the Middle‑East war, with an 11 kg tank soaring from 870 pesos (≈$14.5) to 1,600 pesos (≈$26.7), an 84% jump. Street‑food vendors like Eric Garcia now charge 65 pesos (≈$1.08) per...
Vietnam Cuts All Fuel Taxes to Zero Through June
Vietnam's National Assembly approved a zero‑tax regime for gasoline, diesel, kerosene, mazut and aviation fuel from April 16 through June 30, eliminating VAT, environmental protection tax and special consumption tax. The move cuts state‑budget revenues by roughly VND 7.3 trillion (about $277 million) each month...
Japan Targets Asian Oil Alliance as Supply Bottlenecks Persist
Japan’s economy minister Ryosei Akazawa announced a push to deepen strategic cooperation with Asian neighbours to safeguard crude‑oil supplies essential for regional manufacturing and medical‑equipment production. The government will deploy AI‑driven monitoring tools to identify and alleviate distribution bottlenecks across...
Oil Tankers U-Turn in Hormuz as US-Iran Talks Break Down
Two empty crude carriers—two VLCCs and an Aframax—approached the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, aiming for destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. At a checkpoint near Iran’s Larak Island, all three vessels executed...
Renewable Power Curbs Hit Gujarat’s Textile Spinning Mills
Gujarat’s textile spinning mills are facing production and cost pressures as grid operators have curtailed 50‑70% of wind, solar and hybrid power during peak periods over the past 20 months. The curtailments force mills to rely on higher‑priced grid electricity,...
Minister’s Warning to Fuel Companies as WA Mulls Its Own Diesel Stockpile
Western Australia’s energy minister Amber‑Jade Sanderson warned fuel companies they could face penalties of up to $66,000 USD per day for withholding supply‑chain data, as the state explores a strategic diesel stockpile measured in millions of litres. Six of the state’s...
15 Best American Energy Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts
Wall Street analysts have identified 15 U.S. energy stocks poised for strong upside as Brent crude rallies over 56% year‑to‑date in 2026. Rystad Energy estimates U.S. producers could generate $99 bn in free cash flow if oil steadies around $70 a...
House Reso Filed as State Economist Flags 'Excessive' Oil Margins
Philippines’ Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that oil‑industry margins appear excessive amid a global price shock, prompting a House probe. House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima filed Resolution 914 to task the Energy Committee with investigating diesel and...
From Diesel to Daylight: How Government Solar Schemes Are Powering India’s Farmers
India’s PM‑KUSUM program, launched in 2019, is converting diesel‑run irrigation pumps to solar, with a central allocation of roughly $4.2 billion targeting 34.8 GW of capacity. By February 2026, more than 12 GW of solar pumps and rooftop systems were installed, reaching over 2 million...
The Next Energy Leap: Replicating Ethanol’s Success in Diesel
India is turning to bio‑isobutanol to replicate ethanol’s blending success in its diesel sector. Earlier biodiesel pilots with jatropha, used‑cooking‑oil and ethanol‑diesel blends faltered due to storage, flash‑point and supply challenges. Bio‑isobutanol can be derived from the same sugarcane feedstock...
Australia in No Position to Ease Asian Gas Crunch, Data Shows
Australia’s LNG export terminals are operating at near‑full capacity—Queensland at 94.6% and Western Australia at 98%—leaving little room to increase shipments to Asia. A new energy‑security pact with Singapore guarantees refined fuel imports for Australia while Australia re‑affirms steady LNG...
XES: Oil Service Stocks Turn Pricey; Why It's Time To Take Profits (Rating Downgrade)
State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equip & Serv ETF (XES) was downgraded to Hold after delivering a 40% total return since December 2024. The fund now trades above 25× earnings with a PEG ratio over 2×, rendering its valuation...
How Philippines Compares with ASEAN Neighbors During Oil Shocks
The Philippines is markedly more exposed to global oil price spikes than its ASEAN peers because it imports virtually all of its crude and lacks significant refining capacity. Neighboring economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam each have...
Can DUK's Grid Modernization Drive Long-Term Growth and Reliability?
Duke Energy announced a $200‑$220 billion, ten‑year grid modernization plan, with roughly $103 billion slated for 2026‑2030. The initiative will overhaul its 320,000‑mile transmission and distribution network, adding smart meters, storm‑hardening, undergrounding and self‑healing technology to meet AI‑driven demand growth. In 2025,...
How Iran’s Dark Fleet Is Quietly Keeping Oil Markets Afloat
Iran’s “dark fleet” of opaque tankers is quietly sustaining oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz despite a visible collapse of more than 90% in regulated traffic. By using shell‑company ownership, AIS deactivation and ship‑to‑ship transfers, Iran moves roughly 1.5‑1.7 million...
Three Energy Stories That Actually Matter Right Now
GE Hitachi, partnering with the Tennessee Valley Authority, will build a 300 MW small modular nuclear reactor in the United States at an estimated $5.4 billion cost, or $18 million per megawatt—significantly higher than most generation assets. The project’s economics hinge on a 30‑40 %...
Three Energy Stories That Actually Matter Right Now
The Tennessee Valley Authority’s partnership with GE Hitachi to build a 300 MW small modular reactor is projected at $5.4 billion, roughly $18 million per megawatt—significantly higher than traditional nuclear projects. Chinese AI providers are undercutting U.S. firms by charging $2‑3 per million output...
Broad‐Salinity Osmotic Energy Harvesting From Composition Tuned Laminar Membranes
Researchers introduced composition‑tunable Ti3C2Tx/DAS laminar membranes that adjust interlayer channel size and fixed charge density by varying DAS content. This dual control enables optimal reverse electrodialysis (RED) performance across a wide salinity range of 0.05 M to 5 M. Low DAS fractions...
Vitamin C‐Derived Oxygen‐Functionalized Carbon Dots as a Novel Modulator for Regulating Zn2+ Deposition and Stabilizing Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Researchers have developed vitamin C‑derived oxygen‑functionalized carbon dots (VC‑CDs) that act as multifunctional modulators for aqueous zinc‑ion batteries. The negatively charged VC‑CDs preferentially adsorb onto the zinc anode, creating a uniform electric field that guides even Zn²⁺ deposition while their...
Synergistic Bimolecular Engineering Enables Homogeneous and Multifunctional Surfaces for High‐Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced a synergistic bimolecular engineering (SBE) approach that combines choline chloride and phenethylammonium iodide to form a uniform one‑dimensional perovskite layer on inverted perovskite solar cells. The hydrogen‑bonded interaction decouples defect passivation from charge‑transport limitations, raising open‑circuit voltage and...
Anode‐Free Lithium Batteries Enabled by Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Anode‑free solid polymer electrolytes (AF‑SPEs) replace the traditional lithium metal anode with a bare current collector, using ultrathin polymer membranes to boost cell‑level energy density. Recent research outlined in the review shows how polymer chemistry, interfacial engineering, and lithium‑inventory management...
Baker Hughes (BKR) Secures Strategic Gas Compression Order in Argentina
On April 7, Baker Hughes announced a strategic order from San Matias Pipeline S.A. to supply three NovaLT16 gas turbines and three centrifugal compressors for a new compressor station near Allen, Río Negro, Argentina. The equipment will move natural gas from the...
Why the PCC Must Act on Oil Prices Now
Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that the Philippines' oil market is effectively colluding, as weekly price changes move in lockstep across firms. The 1998 Downstream Oil Deregulation Law left the Department of Energy powerless to intervene directly, creating a regulatory...
Somalia Eyes Oil Boon but Queries Rise on Ankara’s ‘Unfair’ Deal
Somalia is preparing for its first offshore oil drilling as Turkey’s drilling vessel Çağrı Bey arrives in Mogadishu. The 2023 production‑sharing agreement grants Turkey up to 90% cost recovery and a modest 5% royalty to Somalia, sparking accusations that the deal...
Trump Says US Has 'Sweetest' Oil, 'Empty Tankers' Headed Here To 'Load Up'
President Donald Trump announced that large, empty oil tankers are sailing to U.S. ports to load what he called the nation’s "sweetest" crude, highlighting domestic supply depth as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. The claim comes as WTI crude...
Three Oil Supertankers Sail Through the Strait of Hormuz
Two Chinese supertankers and a Greek vessel sailed through the Strait of Hormuz hours after a fragile US‑Iran ceasefire, marking the busiest day of oil exits since the conflict halted traffic six weeks ago. The three ships together can transport...
The Energy Transition Isn't Dead. Here Are 2 Green Stocks Worth Buying This Month.
The recent Strait of Hormuz crisis has underscored the fragility of fossil‑fuel markets, reviving interest in the energy transition with a stronger focus on nuclear power. Constellation Energy, the United States’ largest nuclear operator, runs 21 reactors and a diversified...
A Panicked Race for Barrels Grips the Global Oil Market
Traders in the North Sea submitted 40 bids for physical crude last week, but only four offers materialized, forcing spot cargoes to change hands at record‑high prices above $140 a barrel. The scramble for immediate supplies has spilled into distant...
Global Energy Shortages Drive Renewed Reliance on Coal
Disruptions to oil and gas flows, especially the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, are prompting Asian and European nations to revive coal as a quick‑fix energy source. Global coal consumption has risen by roughly 1.3 billion tons since 2020, driven...