CleanCo Opens 500MWh Tesla Megapack BESS in Queensland, Australia
CleanCo Queensland has commissioned the Swanbank Battery, a 250 MW/500 MWh grid‑scale storage system built with Tesla’s Megapack technology at the former Swanbank coal‑power site near Brisbane. The AU$330 million project, funded by the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, began testing in October 2025 and now provides two‑hour storage capacity via a new 275 kV substation. By reusing existing transmission assets, the battery accelerates the transition of the site from coal to a clean‑energy hub, complementing gas generation and future renewable projects. The facility is expected to enhance reliability, support peak demand, and pave the way for additional wind, solar and hydrogen developments.
Battery Tech Startup E-TRNL Energy Raises ₹27.4 Cr For Product Development
e-TRNL Energy, a battery‑tech startup founded in 2021, secured ₹27.4 cr ($3 mn) in a seed round led by IAN Alpha Fund. The capital will fund completion of its chemistry‑agnostic lithium‑ion and future sodium‑ion cell technology and demonstrate large‑scale manufacturing in India....
Ikeja Electric Ties Power Supply to Tax IDs for Businesses
Nigeria’s largest electricity distributor, Ikeja Electric, announced that all business customers must provide a Tax Identification Number, National Identification Number, or CAC registration details to receive valid bills. The company set a seven‑day deadline, requiring submissions by February 20, 2026, after which...
Nigeria Marginal Field Dispute Raises Investor Concerns After Dawes Island Court Ruling
A Federal High Court in Nigeria overturned the 2020 revocation of the Dawes Island marginal field licence, reinstating Eurafric Energy Limited’s rights. The ruling challenges the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ decision not to renew the licence after a decade of...
MOL Group Enters Libya Offshore in Joint Venture with Repsol and TPAO
MOL Group has secured a 20% stake in Libya’s O7 offshore block through a joint venture with Repsol and Turkey’s TPAO. The block covers over 10,300 sq km in water deeper than 1,500 m, awarded in Libya’s first licensing round in 17 years....
North Sea’s First Methane-Certified ‘Grade A’ Gas Project Launched by ONE-Dyas
ONE‑Dyas has launched the N05‑A development in the Dutch‑German North Sea, becoming the region’s first offshore gas project to earn MiQ Grade A certification for methane emissions. The field, part of the GEMS area, holds up to 50 billion cubic metres of...
Partners Advance Vaca Muerta-Linked Argentina LNG Export Development
YPF, Eni and XRG have signed a binding joint development agreement to move the Argentina LNG project forward, leveraging gas from the Vaca Muerta shale play. The plan calls for two floating LNG units delivering a combined 12 million tonnes per year...
Oceanbird Lands First Commercial Order
Oceanbird, the Alfa Laval–Wallenius joint venture, announced its first commercial sale, delivering two Wing 560 wing sails for retrofit in Europe slated for early 2027. The order fills the initial production slots, shifting Oceanbird from prototype demonstrations to a commercial rollout. The...
Singapore Mulls Keeping Carbon Tax at Low End of Target
Singapore’s finance minister said the city‑state may keep its carbon tax near the low end of the $50‑80 per tonne range slated for 2030, after noting a slowdown in global climate momentum. The current levy sits at S$45 (~$35.60) per tonne, already...
CNOOC Targets 40% Offshore Wind Capacity Ramp up in 2026
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced a 40% increase in offshore wind capacity for 2026, targeting 3.5 GW of installed power. The expansion, executed with turbine maker Ming Yang Smart Energy, will roll out advanced turbines across southern provinces. Falling costs...
Energy Insiders Podcast: Why Batteries Are Getting Bigger and Marrying Solar
The Energy Insiders podcast featured Sam Reynolds, head of Octopus Australia, outlining plans to construct the country’s largest battery and the rise of solar‑battery hybrid projects. He explained how falling storage costs and grid‑balancing needs are driving batteries to scale...
The Little Battery that Could Pave the Way for Ageing Coal Generators to Be Shut Down on Schedule
Australia’s renewable rollout hinges on grid‑forming inverters, a technology that can mimic the inertia and fault‑current support traditionally supplied by large synchronous condensers. Early results from the 25‑50 MW Darlington Point battery, built with these inverters, show it can stabilise frequency...
Australia’s Home Battery Boom Risks Locking Households Into Closed Ecosystems
Australia’s home battery market has surged past 210,000 installations, spurred by the federal Cheaper Home Batteries scheme. Tech entrepreneur Simon Hackett warns that most of these systems are locked to proprietary software, preventing third‑party control. The scheme only requires VPP‑readiness,...
Spot Prices Wrap: Midwest Strength Fails to Offset Broad Spot Gas Weakness
Natural‑gas spot prices surged as freezing temperatures drove heating demand, but the rally was tempered by broader market weakness. Midwest hub prices posted gains, yet they were insufficient to lift the overall bias, which slipped lower across most regions. Forecasts...
IRS Gives Guidance on Energy Tax Credits, Prohibited Foreign Entities
The IRS and Treasury issued Notice 2026‑15 to clarify how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new foreign‑entity restrictions apply to clean‑energy tax credits. The notice defines “prohibited foreign entity,” outlines a material‑assistance cost‑ratio calculation, and provides interim safe‑harbor tables for Sections 45Y, 48E and 45X. Taxpayers can...
‘The Cost Declines in Lithium-Ion Tech Provide Very Attractive Pricing’: ASL on NSW’s Recent 12GWh LDES Tender
New South Wales awarded a 12 GWh long‑duration energy storage (LDES) tender exclusively to lithium‑ion battery systems, highlighting the technology’s cost advantage over pumped hydro. ASL’s technology‑agnostic methodology normalises asset lifespans, allowing batteries with 20‑year horizons to compete on a 50‑year...
GENERAL Inc. Adds New AIRSTAGE Heat Pumps
GENERAL HVAC Solutions America introduced two new multi‑zone heat‑pump models, the AIRSTAGE Aquila and Aquila XLTH, expanding its H‑Series R‑32 lineup. The Aquila delivers up to 23 SEER2, 10.5 HSPF2 and heats to 5 °F, while the XLTH reaches 23.5 SEER2, 11.5 HSPF2 and operates...
Futures Settle: Natural Gas Pops, Then Drops After Storage Data
Natural‑gas futures surged early Thursday after the Energy Information Administration reported a 249 Bcf net withdrawal for the week ending Feb. 6, marking a second consecutive week of above‑average draws. The data lifted front‑month prices as traders priced in tighter supplies, but...
TotalEnergies Expects Mexico’s Energía Costa Azul LNG Terminal to Enter Service This Year
TotalEnergies announced that Mexico’s Energía Costa Azul LNG terminal is expected to enter service later this year, adding a new export hub on the Pacific coast. The company projects a total LNG output of 44 Mt per year from its combined...
Coal Giant’s First Gigawatt-Scale Battery Charges up, Guided by some In-House Algorithms
AGL Energy has begun charging and discharging its first gigawatt‑scale battery, the 500 MW/1,000 MWh Liddell project located beside the de‑commissioned Liddell coal plant. The battery will be commissioned in two 250 MW/500 MWh stages, with the first expected within two months and the...
MidDay Snapshot: Natural Gas Cash Prices Diverge by Region
Natural gas cash prices showed regional divergence on Thursday, with the Henry Hub benchmark rising to $3.425 per MMBtu, up 18 cents, while the NGI Spot Gas National Average slipped 2 cents to $2.955 per MMBtu. The overall market trend...
Vista Energy Increases Reserves by 57% and Production by 59% in 2025
Vista Energy reported a 57% jump in proved and probable reserves to 588 MMboe at the end of 2025, driven largely by the acquisition of Petronas assets. The reserve replacement ratio surged to 605% overall and 260% on a organic basis....
Natural Gas Forwards Soften Again, But Basis Strength Signals Risk of Regional Volatility
U.S. natural‑gas forward prices slipped again this week as the market eases from the January cold snap. Prompt‑month contracts fell 26.7 cents, while regional basis spreads showed mixed movement. SoCal Citygate basis peaked near $1.90/MMBtu for 2028 deliveries, whereas Malin remained...
As U.S. Companies Return to Venezuela's Oilfields — One Canadian Driller Has a Head Start
Canadian oilfield services firm Ensign Energy Services is currently the sole operator of drilling rigs in Venezuela, maintaining two rigs in the Orinoco heavy‑oil region after two decades of continuous presence. A recent Trump administration general licence has opened the...
Electricity Prices Rising by Double the Rate of Inflation. Data Center Demand Means No Relief Ahead, Analysts Say
Electricity rates surged 6.9% in 2025, more than double the 2.9% inflation rate, driven largely by AI‑powered data centers. Goldman Sachs warns that data centers will account for 40% of electricity‑demand growth, keeping prices elevated through the decade. Households face...
IEA Lowers 2026 Oil Demand Forecast on Economic Uncertainty, Higher Prices
The International Energy Agency (IEA) lowered its 2026 global oil demand growth forecast to 850,000 barrels per day, down from a previous estimate amid heightened economic uncertainty and rising crude prices. Demand gains will come entirely from non‑OECD economies, with...
Paléo Festival Scores Green Energy First for Switzerland
Switzerland’s Paléo Festival Nyon has become the first outdoor music event in the country to operate its own solar farm. The 470‑square‑metre installation, featuring 261 photovoltaic panels, will generate roughly 100,000 kWh per year—covering at least half of the festival’s electricity...
Nuclear Power Group Alva Energy Launches with $33 Million in Funding
Alva Energy, a Massachusetts‑based nuclear startup, closed a $33 million Series A round led by Playground Global to fund retrofits of existing U.S. reactors. The company will replace steam generators and add a second turbine, boosting each plant’s output by 200‑300 MWe and...
Commerce Releases Final AD/CVD Amounts in Battery Anode Case
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued final antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) rates for Chinese active anode material (AAM). AD margins remain at 93.5% for major exporters and 102.72% for others, while CVD rates settle around 66.86% for most...
US Natural Gas Storage
The Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. natural gas inventories rose by 2.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the week ending November 1, bringing total working‑day stocks to 3.22 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). This level sits about 5 percent above the five‑year average for...
Ukraine Strikes 2nd Lukoil Refinery in Russia This Week
Ukrainian drones struck Lukoil’s Ukhta refinery in the Komi region, igniting a blaze in the primary unit and a visbreaker. The attack follows a high‑precision strike on Lukoil’s larger Volgograd refinery earlier this week. Ukhta processes about 60,000 barrels of...
IEC-Based Technical Specifications Needed for Second-Life PV Module Market
The IEA‑PVPS Task 13 report warns that the second‑life photovoltaic module market remains fragmented due to missing IEC‑based qualification standards, costly manual repairs, and absent policy support. It recommends fast‑tracking IEC specifications, investing in automated testing hubs, and creating financial instruments...
International Business Briefs | Ailing Thames Water Seeks Further £823m
Britain’s Thames Water announced that its creditors are reviewing an additional £823 million of funding, adding to the £1.43 billion already drawn from its super‑senior liquidity facility. In Nigeria, Dangote Petroleum’s refinery completed 72‑hour performance tests, confirming full‑capacity operation at 650,000 barrels...
USA Crude Oil Stocks Rise More Than 8MM Barrels WoW
U.S. commercial crude inventories rose by 8.5 million barrels in the week ending Feb 6, reaching 428.8 million barrels—about three percent below the five‑year seasonal average. Total petroleum stocks slipped 1.7 million barrels week‑on‑week but remain up 81.9 million barrels year‑on‑year. Refinery runs edged lower...
Monitoring Made Inverters More Essential to Solar Project Performance
Solar inverter manufacturers have turned inverters into intelligent power‑management platforms with granular monitoring across loads, storage, EV chargers, and the grid. Companies such as Enphase and SMA now deliver module‑level data, temperature and irradiance metrics, and AI‑driven predictive maintenance. This...
Plus Power Brings Online 350-MWh Cross Town BESS in Maine
Plus Power has commissioned the 175‑MW, 350‑MWh Cross Town Energy Storage facility in Gorham, Maine, marking the largest battery energy storage system on the ISO New England grid. The plant uses 156 Sungrow PowerTitan modules on a five‑acre site adjacent...
Spain Hits 50 GW Solar Milestone
Spain’s installed solar capacity hit the 50 GW milestone in early 2026, after adding roughly 8.7 GW in 2025. Solar now represents 33.9% of the country’s total installed power capacity and supplied 18.4% of electricity last year. The expansion was led by...
The New Rationale of the EU PV Market
Solar photovoltaic installations continued strong growth in 2025, with Europe reaching a record 70 GW and global cumulative installations surpassing 700 GW, led primarily by China’s over‑half share. The market is increasingly bifurcated: mature regions stagnate while emerging economies accelerate, and battery...
Tesla Set to Launch Vehicle-to-Grid Programme in the US
Tesla will roll out its first vehicle‑to‑grid program in the United States, starting with Cybertruck owners in select Texas markets served by CenterPoint Energy and Oncor. The Powershare Grid Support Program lets participants earn energy‑bill credits by feeding power back...
USA Labor Market Report Underpins Energy Demand
Rystad Energy highlighted that January U.S. non‑farm payrolls increased by 130,000, pushing the unemployment rate down to 4.3% and surpassing consensus expectations. The stronger labor market is viewed as a modest tailwind for demand for transport fuels, petrochemicals and power...
Anthropic To Help Pay For Data Centre Grid Costs
Anthropic announced it will cover the grid costs associated with its AI data centres, partnering with utilities to estimate and offset residential electricity price hikes. The company will also finance infrastructure upgrades, invest in new power generation, and implement demand‑response...
IIAs 2026 | SK’s Expansion in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland
South Korean conglomerate SK Group’s battery separator plant in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland, was named the second‑most impactful operational mega project in Europe for 2026. The €4.4 bn investment has created more than 1,200 jobs and strengthens Europe’s battery supply chain amid rising...
IIAs 2026 | CATL’s Gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary
Chinese battery giant CATL is investing €7.34 bn to build a gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary, the country’s largest greenfield project. The company has already assembled over 120,000 battery modules in a rented facility and aims to start lithium‑ion cell production in...
IIAs 2026 | Smart Solar Technologies’ Solar Module Factory in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Smart Solar Technologies, a Turkish cleantech firm, announced a €122 million investment to build a solar cell and module factory in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The plant will target 1,500 MW of wafer, cell and module output and is expected to generate more than...
Australia’s Clean Energy Transition Has Been Powered by People. Solar for Renters Is the Next Chapter
Australia’s clean‑energy push, highlighted by the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, has driven rapid rooftop solar adoption, yet renters—over one‑third of households—remain excluded. Solar Citizens and a coalition of 72 groups have campaigned for a solar‑for‑renters framework, testing public consensus through...
German E-Mobility on the Rise: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Expands with eActros to South America
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks handed over its first eActros 600 to Chilean carrier Empresas Cavalieri, marking the model’s debut outside Europe and the first series‑production electric long‑haul truck in South America. The vehicle will serve the Santiago‑Viña del Mar beverage route for Compañía...
A Firm Capturing Carbon at NYC High-Rises Tackles Canadian Gas Pipelines
CarbonQuest, a Spokane‑based startup, is expanding its carbon‑capture technology from New York high‑rise boilers to gas‑fired engines that power compressors on Canadian pipelines. The company secured a $4.1 million grant‑backed contract with Tourmaline to install a containerized vacuum pressure swing absorption...
Baltic BESS and TES: Estonia’s 1.1GWh District Heating Accumulator, Nidec PCS-Transformer Deal in Lithuania
Estonia’s utility Utilitas has commissioned an 80 MW/1,100 MWh thermal energy storage (TES) plant in Tallinn, while Lithuania’s state‑owned Ignitis Group has confirmed a €130 million, 291 MW/582 MWh battery storage portfolio that will use Rolls‑Royce BESS modules and Nidec Conversion power‑conversion equipment. Both projects...
Ascott Prioritises Operational Efficiency in Decarbonisation Drive
Ascott is shifting its sustainability focus from guest‑facing gestures to system‑level operational improvements, targeting cooling efficiency, refrigerant discipline, and maintenance quality. The 2024 CarbonClear Initiative standardises energy audits and sets property‑level targets, using utility data and sub‑metering for verification. These...
Trump Calls India-US Trade Deal ‘Historic’ as Tariff Cuts and Coal Exports Take Centre Stage
President Donald Trump called the newly concluded India‑US trade deal historic, highlighting its potential to expand American energy exports, especially coal. The interim agreement slashes U.S. duties on Indian goods to a uniform 18% across textiles, apparel, chemicals and more,...