Costain Upgrades 1625km of Gas Pipeline in Five Years
Infrastructure firm Costain has completed its five‑year Contract Management Organisation agreement with Cadent, delivering 1,625 km of upgraded gas mains across the East of England. The work involved more than 230,000 reinstated excavations, 160,000 m³ of backfill, and provided new gas supplies to 168,000 homes. Costain has been upgrading over 300 km of pipeline each year since 2021, achieving high safety and customer‑satisfaction scores. The partnership has been extended to 2029, creating an eight‑year programme to further modernise the UK gas network.
France Launches Tenders for 12,000 MW of Renewable Energy – 10,000 MW Offshore Wind Power
The French government announced a new tender program targeting roughly 12 GW of renewable generation, with about 10 GW earmarked for offshore wind projects. Additional capacity includes 1.2 GW of solar and 0.8 GW of onshore wind, complementing France’s existing hydro and nuclear mix....
Winda Energy to Build Battery Storage Facilities in Finland
Winda Energy announced plans to build two industrial‑scale battery storage facilities in central Finland, in partnership with investment firm Wood & Co. The Äänekoski site will deliver 30 MW of power with 60 MWh of storage, while the Laukaa project will provide...
EU Climate Chief Calls for Renewables Surge
EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra warned that soaring energy prices and a €22 bn (≈$24 bn) rise in fossil‑fuel import costs demand a rapid shift to renewables, electrification and nuclear power. He told the Financial Times that Europe’s debt‑laden governments lack a financial...
RWE and Network Rail Ink Five-Year Offshore Wind Farm Deal
RWE and Network Rail have signed a five‑year power purchase agreement under which the German energy group will deliver roughly 300 GWh of offshore wind electricity each year. The clean power will cover about 65 % of Network Rail’s non‑traction electricity needs...
Perdana Petroleum Wins AHTS Vessel Contracts From Petronas
Perdana Petroleum’s wholly owned unit, Perdana Nautika, received work orders on April 8 to supply two anchor handling tug and supply (AHTS) vessels to Petronas Carigali. The charters span 303 days and 224 days, each with an optional 40‑day extension, and...
District Energy and Data Centers: A Strategic Partnership for the Future
Data center expansion is hitting power, water and community limits, while a shift to liquid cooling concentrates waste heat at 50‑80 °C. District energy systems can capture that heat, delivering chilled or hot water through underground networks and eliminating on‑site chillers....
Hexicon Reports Challenging Year for Floating Wind
Hexicon said 2025 was a tough year for floating offshore wind, with soaring capital costs and tighter auction dynamics pressuring margins. Despite the headwinds, the company doubled its revenue to €1.78 million (≈ $1.9 million) and expanded its development pipeline to 10,850 MW across...
Ofgem – Publication of Inside Information Under REMIT Article 4: Use of Thresholds and Related Practices
On 15 April 2026, Ofgem issued a letter to wholesale energy market participants warning that the common 100 MW threshold used to decide whether outage information is inside information under REMIT Article 4 is unreliable. The regulator argues that fixed MW limits can delay...
Forêt Domaniale Wind Project Secures Financial Close
The 185.6 MW Forêt Domaniale Wind Project in Quebec has reached financial close, unlocking construction funding under the Green Loan Principles. Equal owners EDF solutions électriques and Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est secured a consortium of lenders led by Desjardins Group,...
Forêt Domaniale Wind Project Secures Financial Close
The 185.6 MW Forêt Domaniale Wind Project in Quebec has achieved financial close, unlocking construction that began in early 2026. Ownership is split between EDF solutions électriques and Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est, with financing led by Desjardins and a consortium...
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm Gets Development Consent
The UK Secretary of State has granted development consent for the 1.5 GW Outer Dowsing offshore wind farm, a joint venture of Corio, TotalEnergies and Gulf Energy Development. Located about 54 km off Lincolnshire, the project will host up to 100 turbines,...
Government Cuts Electricity Bill for 10,000 Manufacturers in Boost for UK Competitiveness
The UK government announced that the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will be expanded to cover more than 10,000 manufacturers – a 40% increase – and deliver one‑off payments in 2027 that cut electricity bills by up to 25%. The...
$3.3 Billion Kuwait Gas Project Put on Hold as Regional Risks Stall Construction
Kuwait’s $3.3 billion onshore gas processing plant near the Al‑Zour refinery has been placed on indefinite hold as regional geopolitical tensions rise. The project, designed to handle about 632 million cubic feet of gas per day and cut the country’s reliance on...
Volvo CE Starts Serial Production of A30 Electric and A40 Electric Articulated Haulers
Volvo Construction Equipment has started serial production of its A30 Electric and A40 Electric articulated haulers at the Braås plant in Sweden, becoming the first maker to mass‑produce battery‑electric machines in this size class. The A30 can haul 29 tonnes and...
The End of the Hormuz Bargain
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and large volumes of LNG, fertilizer and key feedstocks travel, is no longer a neutral corridor. Escalating Middle‑East tensions and unilateral toll demands have prompted many...
New FREE Webinar: How Can Your Business Implement a Credible Carbon Credit Strategy?
edie, in partnership with Anew Climate, is hosting a free 45‑minute webinar on May 7, 2026, to guide businesses on building a credible carbon‑credit strategy. The session will cover integrating credits into broader decarbonisation plans, establishing governance and transparency, and selecting high‑integrity...
GMG Reports Doubling Energy Density of 6 Minute Charging Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery
Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) announced that its graphene‑aluminium‑ion (G+A) cells have doubled their energy density since a December 2025 update, now exceeding 100 Wh/kg after a one‑hour charge and achieving over 80 Wh/kg with a six‑minute charge. The breakthrough stems from a...
Catalan Cement Sector Highlights Challenges of Meeting New Carbon Budgets
Albert Avellaneda, director of Ciment Catala, told a conference that most cement emissions stem from the chemical process, not energy, demanding a technological overhaul. He said achieving net‑zero will hinge on carbon capture, requiring about €400 million ($436 million) in investment with...
Irish Cement Solar Project Commences Operations at Platin Works
Irish Cement has commissioned a 1 MW rooftop solar array at its Platin Works, spanning two factory buildings. The system feeds electricity directly into the plant’s power supply, reducing reliance on grid energy. The project, conceived by the site team and...
The Nuclear Renaissance Is Real in Politics. It Doesn’t Exist as Construction
The so‑called nuclear renaissance has strong political backing, with 33 countries endorsing it at COP28 and the EU taxonomy now classifying nuclear as green under strict criteria. Yet 97% of the 40 reactor starts between 2020‑24 occurred in China and...
Video: Flexible Homes, Flexible Grid – Interview with Adam Cameron (SA Power Networks)
At the EN2026 conference in Adelaide, SA Power Networks engineer Adam Cameron highlighted how smart‑home technologies can provide real‑time demand flexibility for South Australia’s grid. He explained that flexible home appliances and automated energy management can absorb excess solar generation...
Thursday Briefing: What It Will Take for Britain to Break up with Natural Gas
Britain’s economy remains tightly linked to natural‑gas prices, a relationship that exploded into a cost‑of‑living crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A new geopolitical flashpoint – the US‑Israel strike on Iran – threatens to push gas prices higher,...
Fuel Rollback: Diesel May Drop ₱20, Gasoline ₱3 Next Week
Fuel prices in the Philippines are set to retreat next week as easing Middle‑East tensions push global benchmarks lower. Industry data based on the Platts Singapore mean projects diesel to drop ₱18‑20 per liter (about $0.36) and gasoline to fall...
What Does the Geelong Refinery Fire Reveal About Australia’s Fuel Supplies?
Late Wednesday a fire broke out at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery in Corio, believed to be caused by equipment failure. The plant, which can process up to 120,000 barrels per day and supplies more than half of Victoria’s fuel and...
State Rolls Out Red Carpet for Four New Wind Projects in Race to Replace Ageing Coal Generators
Western Australia has placed four new wind farms—totaling over 1.3 GW of clean capacity—on a fast‑track development pipeline under the State Development Act. The projects, including Zephyr Energy's Parron Maam, Shell‑Foresight's Kondinin, Alinta Energy's Marri, and Neoen's Narrogin, have already secured long‑term...
CFTC Probes Oil Futures Trades Tied to Trump's Moves in Iran: Report
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is investigating two sharp spikes in oil‑futures trading that occurred minutes before President Trump announced a postponed strike on Iranian energy assets on March 23 and a cease‑fire on April 7. The probe focuses on activity...
Fuel Crisis Worsens in Australia Following Refinery Fire
A fire at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery, one of only two oil‑refining sites in Australia, has intensified an already‑tight fuel market driven by the Middle‑East war. The outage reduces national fuel‑processing capacity by roughly 120,000 barrels per day, prompting shortages...
Iran War: What Does Tehran Want and Will It Get It?
In a televised discussion, Gideon Rachman and Brookings scholar Suzanne Maloney explore Tehran’s objectives in the ongoing Iran‑U.S. confrontation and the prospects for a negotiated settlement. They argue that Iran’s primary aim is to lift crippling sanctions, secure regional leverage, and...
How the World Is Preparing for Oil Shortages
The Financial Times podcast warned that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a sharp oil shortage, potentially cutting as much as 20% of world supply. In response, Gulf monarchies have launched a wartime‑style financing drive, raising...
New Manufacturing Model for Batteries Boosted by Voltavate-ARENA Pilot Program
Voltavate, a Melbourne‑based battery specialist, secured a $3.55 million Australian government grant (about $2.3 million USD) from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to run a pilot‑scale program that integrates separator manufacturing directly onto battery production lines. The initiative moves the technology...
Essential Energy Turns to AI for Safety Inspections
Essential Energy is rolling out an AI system that mines field‑worker comments on iPads to flag safety issues across its 900,000‑premise network in NSW and southern Queensland. Early tests show the AI can identify safety‑related data in 76% of cases,...
Qld Welcomes Major Investment in Kestrel Coal Mine Acquisition
The Queensland Government welcomed Yancoal Australia's purchase of an 80% stake in the Kestrel Coal Mine, Australia’s largest underground metallurgical coal operation near Emerald. The acquisition is expected to safeguard more than 800 direct jobs and bolster indirect employment. It...
Oil Prices Trade Subdued Amid Fragile Ceasefire, Peace Deal Hopes
Oil prices edged lower on Thursday as Brent slipped to $94.68 and WTI to $90.96, reflecting a modest 0.26% and 0.36% decline respectively. Market sentiment was tempered by optimism over a cease‑fire expected to hold through 21 April and renewed Iran‑US...
ICYMI - Reports that Iran Proposes Partial Hormuz Reopening for Ships via Oman Waters
Iran has signaled a willingness to let commercial vessels transit the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without attack, linking the offer to progress in US‑Iran negotiations. The proposal marks a shift from earlier hardline ideas such as transit...
Whether You’re Handling Industrial Oils or Inert Gases, Your Piping Should Be as Reliable as Your Process
Aluminum piping is gaining traction for oil, nitrogen, and other industrial fluids because it combines corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, and modular installation. Its high thermal conductivity helps dissipate heat in oil lines, while a smooth interior finish minimizes leaks in...
Neoen Australia Submits 3.2GWh Bondo Wind-Plus-Storage Project to the EPBC Act
Neoen Australia has lodged its 3.2 GWh Bondo wind‑plus‑storage project for federal EPBC environmental assessment. The scheme will host up to 164 turbines delivering roughly 1.2 GW of power, coupled with two 400 MW/4‑hour battery systems totaling 1,600 MWh of storage. Covering 41,923 ha in...
U.S. Treasury Takes Aim at Iran's Shamkhani Shipping Network
The U.S. Treasury announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s Shamkhani shadow‑fleet network, blacklisting nine vessels and more than a dozen companies and individuals linked to the family’s shipping empire. The measures focus on UAE‑based front firms such as...
Diesel Nation: Australia Is Still Pumping Billions in the Wrong Direction as Oil Hyperinflation Hits
Australia’s federal Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) scheme refunded miners about AU$3.36 billion (≈US$2.2 billion) in 2025, with the five largest firms—BHP, Rio Tinto, Glencore, Fortescue and Yancoal—receiving roughly AU$1.94 billion (≈US$1.3 billion). The subsidy entrenches dependence on imported diesel, siphons billions from the federal budget...
Tax Oil Companies’ Windfall Profits, Says European Civil Society
European NGOs representing over 40 million citizens have urged the EU to reinstate a windfall tax on oil companies, arguing that firms stand to earn roughly $26 billion from road‑fuel profits in 2026. They cite the temporary solidarity contribution that raised about...
Global Seaborne Crude Oil Shipments Down 16% Since Start Of The Iran War
Since the Iran war began, global seaborne crude oil shipments have dropped 16% to 38.4 mbpd, a loss of 7.6 mbpd versus the first nine weeks of 2026. The decline reflects a 9.5% shortfall of the U.S. EIA’s projected 2026 production reaching...
How Iran and the US Are Positioning Themselves for Talks
Bloomberg reports that the United States and Iran are discussing a two‑week cease‑fire extension to buy time for a broader peace negotiation. Both sides have an in‑principle agreement to continue diplomacy, though no formal request for the extension has been...
Pain At The Pump Not So Bad For Americans
U.S. gasoline prices have risen over 40% since the war began, pushing the national average above $4 per gallon. When measured against average hourly earnings, a gallon now costs about 7.7 minutes of work, down from 10.7 minutes in June...
JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (JKS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
First Solar reported record 2025 module shipments of 17.5 GW, driving net sales to $5.2 billion—a 24% year‑over‑year rise and hitting the top of its guidance. Gross margin slipped to 41% as tariffs and under‑utilized overseas plants pressured profitability, but $1.6 billion of...
JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (JKS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
JinkoSolar reported Q4 2025 revenue of $2.5 billion, up 8.3% sequentially but down 15% year‑over‑year, while gross margin collapsed to 0.3% amid soaring silver and polysilicon costs. The company posted an adjusted net loss of about $8 million and an operating loss...
Equipment Failure Likely Cause of “Ferocious” Fire at One of Australia’s Two Oil Refineries
A ferocious fire erupted at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery near Melbourne, likely triggered by a valve failure that caused a leak and subsequent explosion. The blaze halted petrol production while diesel, jet fuel and other outputs continue under constrained conditions....
Gevo Pulls DOE Loan Bid to Focus on Private Funds for SAF Plant
Gevo Inc. withdrew its $1.46 billion Department of Energy loan guarantee request for a sustainable aviation fuel plant in North Dakota, opting for private financing instead. The DOE required the project to support enhanced oil recovery, a condition Gevo says isn’t...
Why Cheap Power Could Matter More than Clean Power in the Push for Net Zero
The UK debate over net‑zero is shifting from a focus on clean electricity to the affordability of power. Homeowners like Gavin Tait find heat‑pump electricity costs up to four times higher than gas, prompting a return to fossil‑fuel boilers. Experts...
Drax Claimed Record £999m in Subsidies for Burning Trees in 2025, Thinktank Says
Drax Group received a record £999 million (≈$1.3 billion) in 2025 subsidies for its North Yorkshire biomass plant, which generated about 4.5% of Britain’s electricity and cost each household roughly £13 (≈$16) per year. A climate think‑tank flagged that the wood pellets...
World’s Biggest Co-Located Wind and Solar Project Begins Operations in China
Envision Energy announced that its 5.56 MW custom turbine wind‑and‑solar complex on the Loess Plateau has entered commercial operation. The co‑located facility spans the 635,000 km² plateau southeast of the Gobi Desert, blending wind and solar generation to overcome the region’s low‑wind,...