Australia to Import 1.6mn Bl Gasoline From Europe
Australia is arranging to import roughly 1.6 million barrels of non‑oxy gasoline from Europe to shore up its dwindling fuel reserves. A price premium of over $34 per barrel in Singapore relative to Europe opened a lucrative arbitrage window, prompting shipments on the 74,356‑dwt Pacific Debbie, the 109,990‑dwt Hafnia Thalassa and the 49,999‑dwt TP Endeavour. The cargoes, sourced from Amsterdam and Wales, will arrive in Sydney and Kwinana in May via the Cape of Good Hope. The move follows prolonged feedstock disruptions linked to the US‑Iran conflict that have strained Asia‑Pacific fuel supplies.
New Operator for Stalled Gas Facility Plan at Western-Led Kazakh Project
Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry appointed state‑run Qazaqgaz as the new operator of the stalled Karachaganak associated‑gas processing facility. The plant, originally planned for 4 bcm per year, is now targeted to handle up to 5 bcm of sour gas, reducing reliance on Russian...
Free Midday Electricity Key to Drive Consumer Demand to Match Excess PV Generation
Australia’s Solar Sharer program will give households with smart meters three free midday electricity hours, aiming to pull demand into periods of abundant solar generation. Research by Cambridge’s Ray Galvin shows the scheme could shift roughly 22.5 TWh of electricity by...
Can Microsoft Really Meet Its Carbon-Negative Goal by 2030?
Microsoft pledged in 2020 to be carbon‑negative by 2030, but rapid AI‑driven data‑center growth is straining that goal. The company announced a 2025 milestone, claiming 100% renewable electricity matching, yet the achievement relies heavily on carbon offsets rather than direct...
Aurora Grid Connections Enable Stagecoach Depot Electrification for over 1,300 Electric Buses Across the UK
Aurora Utilities has energized 18 Stagecoach bus depots across England and Scotland, adding high‑capacity grid connections for electric‑bus charging. The new sites support roughly 1,330 battery‑electric buses, about 16 percent of Stagecoach’s UK fleet, and align with London’s 2030 renewable‑energy target....
Mova Unveils All-in-One Plug-In Solar and Storage Solutions
Chinese appliance maker Mova has entered the residential solar‑plus‑storage market with its LumeGret A2000 and A4000 all‑in‑one units. The A4000 provides a 4 kWh LFP battery, expandable to 20 kWh, and a 2.5 kW inverter, while the A2000 starts at 1.92 kWh and adds...
Contractor Wins $562 Million Middle East Upstream Deal
Kuwait’s state‑owned Kuwait Oil Company awarded Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding Company (Heisco) a 174.2 million dinar contract—about $562 million—to construct flowlines and related upstream infrastructure. The award is part of a larger package aimed at expanding Kuwait’s upstream oil capacity and...
Tunisia Launches 200 MW Call for PV Projects Under New Licensing Scheme
Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy announced a sixth licensing round inviting private developers to submit proposals for up to 200 MW of new solar power plants. Applications are open from April 15 to June 15 and will be assessed based on...
NGCP: Middle East War Won’t Affect Electricity Grid Charges
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said the Middle East war will not affect its electricity transmission charges because the company is revenue‑capped and its rates are not fuel‑dependent. NGCP’s transmission rate rose 4.26% in March to P1.7526...
Maharlika Eyes Oil Storage Venture with PNOC to Boost Energy Resilience
Maharlika Investment Corp (MIC) is exploring a partnership with the state‑owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and private firms to build an oil‑storage tank farm that would expand the Philippines’ strategic stockpiling capacity. The sovereign wealth fund could commit up...
Vertical Bifacial PV Outperforms Tilted PV Systems in the UK
A year‑long study by the University of York shows that Over Easy Solar’s vertical bifacial photovoltaic system outperforms traditional tilted monofacial panels across all UK seasons. The bifacial array delivered up to 26.9% more electricity during morning hours and 24.5%...
Vaillant Launches Space-Saving Residential Heat Pump
German heating specialist Vaillant has introduced the Arotherm Pro, a compact air‑to‑water heat pump that uses propane (R‑290) as a low‑GWP refrigerant. The product is offered in 5 kW, 7 kW and 11 kW models, delivering a maximum coefficient of performance of 5.03 at...
CleanMax to Supply 50 MW Hybrid Renewable Power to Sangam India in Rajasthan
CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd announced a partnership with Sangam India Ltd to supply 50 MW of hybrid renewable power in Rajasthan. The project combines 30 MW of solar, 20 MW of wind and a 2 MWh battery storage system, feeding five textile facilities...
ANDRITZ Wins Equipment Order for India’s Largest 3,000 MW Pumped Storage Project in Maharashtra
Technology firm ANDRITZ announced it has won a contract to supply ten pump turbines, motor‑generators and related electromechanical equipment for Torrent Power’s Saidongar‑1 Karjat pumped‑storage project in Maharashtra. The deal, valued at roughly €200 million (about $215 million), will be fulfilled in...
There Is No Coal Comeback
Despite media hype that the Strait of Hormuz blockade would spark a coal resurgence, global coal‑fired power generation fell 3.5% in March year‑on‑year, according to think‑tank Crea. The decline spans the United States, India, the EU, Turkey and South Africa,...
Most Heavy Emitters Blow Their Carbon Budgets, but Bowen Sees “Clear Sign” Safeguard Mechanism Is Working
The Clean Energy Regulator’s 2024‑25 Safeguard Mechanism data show a 5.5% drop in net industrial emissions to 120.3 Mt CO₂‑e, marking a 12% decline since the 2022‑23 reforms. Yet 141 of the 208 covered facilities still exceeded their allocated baselines, relying...
From ‘Refrigerators in the Desert’ to Resilient, Thermally Passive BESS Assets
Battery energy storage systems today rely on lithium‑ion cells that need active thermal management, adding capital, complexity, and up to 15 MWh of auxiliary electricity per MWh of storage each year. Emerging chemistries such as sodium‑ion, solid‑state lithium, and zinc‑ion can...
SwitchedOn Podcast: The Tax Tweak that Could Cut Renters Energy Bills
A proposed tax tweak would let Australian landlords claim an instant asset write‑off for installing electric heat‑pump water heaters, mirroring incentives already available to small businesses. The measure aims to overcome the split‑incentive barrier that forces renters to rely on...
“Desert Greening:” China’s Massive Solar Farms Create Cool Refuges for Plants in Gobi Desert
A new Chinese Academy of Sciences study finds that large‑scale solar farms in the Gobi desert generate a daytime cooling effect of up to 3.1 °C, creating micro‑climates that support plant growth. The cooling, termed a "cool island effect," varies with...
Malaysia to Raise Biodiesel Blend Mandate From B10 to B15, Starting with B12 Rollout – Economy Minister
Malaysia’s economy minister announced that the national biodiesel blend mandate will be raised from the current B10 level to B15, with an interim rollout of a B12 blend. The upgrade will use existing blending infrastructure, so no additional cost is...
Lose and Lose in the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, handles roughly 20% of daily global oil shipments and is a critical conduit for trade to Asia, Europe and the Americas. Historical episodes—from the Iran‑Iraq...
Brent Crude Edges up Ahead of Fresh US-Iran Talks
Brent crude futures rose to $95.16 per barrel, up 0.39%, while U.S. WTI slipped to $91.04, down 0.26%. President Donald Trump signaled a second round of U.S.-Iran talks but confirmed he will not attend, and a U.S. destroyer ordered two...
How Space-Based Monitoring Supports Pipelines, Grids, Ports, and Energy Infrastructure
Space‑based monitoring is becoming a core tool for operators of pipelines, power grids, ports, and other energy assets. By fusing optical imagery, synthetic‑aperture radar and analytics, satellites pinpoint vegetation encroachment, flood, ground movement and congestion across vast, remote networks. The...
Governor Spanberger Delivers on Energy Affordability, Blazing a Path for State Leaders Nationwide
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a suite of energy bills aimed at lowering electricity rates, improving grid reliability, and accelerating solar and storage deployment. The legislation includes streamlined residential solar permitting, higher energy‑storage targets, and expanded shared‑solar programs that add...
Adani Energy Commissions 1,000 MW Power Link in Mumbai
Adani Energy Solutions Limited commissioned a 1,000 MW high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission link between Kudus and Aarey in Mumbai. The line comprises a 30 km overhead segment and a 50 km underground corridor and includes the world’s first compact HVDC substation built...
Aatmanirbhar 2.0: India Building Inner Strength to Get over Supply Chain Pain
India has unveiled Aatmanirbhar 2.0, a refreshed self‑reliance drive aimed at insulating critical supply chains and bolstering energy security amid the West Asia conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered ministries to draft short‑ and long‑term sector plans that cut import dependence...
Australian Developer Moves Ahead with Modular Green Hydrogen Production Plant
InterContinental Energy (ICE) announced it has secured up to AUD 1.6 million ($1.14 million) in Australian federal funding to develop a digital twin for its patented P2(H2)Node modular system. The company also signed the first licence for the node, marking the transition from...
Solar Trade Groups Statements on Passage of the Utility RELIEF Act
The Maryland General Assembly passed the Utility RELIEF Act, doubling the state’s net‑metering capacity from 3 GW to 6 GW and emphasizing rooftop and community solar. The omnibus energy bill now awaits Governor Wes Moore’s signature. Trade groups praised the legislation for providing...
Hazer and KBR Complete Commercial-Scale Hydrogen Design Package for Global Rollout
Hazer Group and engineering firm KBR have finished a commercial‑scale Process Design Package (PDP) for the Hazer methane‑pyrolysis hydrogen technology. The PDP outlines a standardised 30,000‑tonne‑per‑year hydrogen plant design, intended to streamline feasibility studies, basic engineering and front‑end engineering work....
Sierra Club Rallies Public Engagement as Trump EPA Rolls Back Coal Ash Rules
The EPA announced plans to roll back federal coal‑ash disposal standards, a move that could affect more than 133 million cubic yards of waste stored at North Carolina power plants, including 40.2 million cubic yards at Duke Energy’s Roxboro facility. Duke Energy,...
IMF Says Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Prospect of ‘Major Energy Crisis’ – Video
The IMF warned that a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz would spark a major energy crisis, pushing oil prices sharply higher. Chief economist Pierre‑Olivier Gourinchas outlined an adverse scenario with rising inflation and tighter financial conditions, and a severe...
ReconAfrica Provides Operational Update and Reports 2025 Year-End Results
ReconAfrica released its 2025 operational and financial results, highlighting a farm‑down to BW Energy that left the company with a 70% operator interest in the PEL 073 licence. The firm expanded its portfolio by signing a Production Sharing Contract for the...
Protesters March 700 Kilometres to Save Sacred Groves From Solar Development
Villagers from Jaisalmer district began a 700‑km foot march toward Jaipur to demand protection for their sacred groves, orans, and traditional pasture lands threatened by large‑scale solar‑power projects. The protest highlights that the state has earmarked over 44,000 hectares for...
Which Countries Are Most Vulnerable as US Imposes Its Own Blockade in Persian Gulf?
The United States has begun a unilateral blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about energy‑supply disruptions. Nomura’s analysis flags Asian importers such as Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as European economies like Germany, Italy and...
Q&A: As Thailand Bets on EVs, What Will Happen to the Spent Batteries?
Thailand is accelerating its electric‑vehicle agenda, with Chinese automakers like BYD opening a 150,000‑vehicle plant and the government targeting 30 % zero‑emission vehicle production by 2030. The rapid rollout will generate roughly 200,000 tonnes of spent EV batteries by 2033 and 2.5 million tonnes...
Trump Officials Pledge Swift Completion of Controversial Gas Pipeline
The Trump administration is fast‑tracking a $1 billion, 23‑mile underwater natural gas pipeline that will run beneath Raritan Bay, linking New Jersey and New York Harbor. At a Brooklyn groundbreaking, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin pledged swift completion despite...
Find The Lego: How Indonesia Can Turn Diesel Generator Retirement Into A Scalable Program
Indonesia’s state utility PLN announced a plan to replace diesel generators at 741 remote sites with solar‑plus‑battery systems. The diesel fleet currently supplies about 2.3 TWh a year, consuming roughly 0.7 billion litres of fuel and costing $700‑$820 million annually. Replacing it would...
'Green Cliffs of Dover': Port of Dover Becomes First UK Port to Reach Net Zero Emissions
The Port of Dover announced it reached net‑zero emissions for its Scope 1 and 2 activities in 2023, becoming the first UK port to do so. The milestone arrives five years before any other British port’s target and 25 years ahead of...
European Industrial Leaders Aim to Accelerate Clean Hydrogen
The European Resilience Alliance for Clean Hydrogen & Derivatives (ERA) was launched in the European Parliament on April 14, bringing together 11 leading industrial CEOs to coordinate Europe’s clean‑hydrogen strategy. ERA will act as a unified voice to policymakers and align...
SOLARAMA – Big Proof From Aptera and Big Savings for Solar + EV Drivers
Aptera’s chief executive demonstrated that his solar‑powered vehicle produced more electricity in a day than the solar array on his Illinois home. The test showed the car’s integrated panels can generate enough energy to fully recharge its 100‑mile range battery...
Benchmark Diesel Price Ends Its 12-Week Streak of Increases
The U.S. DOE/EIA benchmark diesel price slipped 3.5 cents to $5.608 per gallon on Monday, ending a 12‑week run of weekly increases that had lifted the index $2.184 per gallon in total. On the same day, ultra‑low‑sulfur diesel futures on...
Commentary: ASEAN’s Energy Crisis Is Not About Energy
The Hormuz Strait blockade, triggered by U.S. military action against Iran, has halted the primary oil corridor for Southeast Asia, exposing ASEAN’s inability to influence the crisis. Member states have responded with price freezes, subsidies, work‑from‑home mandates, and temporary coal...
US Will Not Renew Iran Crude Sanctions Waiver
The U.S. Treasury announced it will let the temporary waiver permitting purchases of seaborne Iranian crude lapse on April 19, ending the short‑term relief granted on March 20. The waiver was originally meant to cushion Gulf oil supplies amid the U.S.–Iran conflict....
15 Charts that Explain Why the Strait of Hormuz Shutdown Matters for the Global Economy
The United States announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on April 12, effectively shutting down one of the world’s most vital commodity corridors. The closure halts exports of crude oil, LNG, jet fuel, diesel, ammonia, sulfur, helium and...
NAACP Sues xAI over Data Center Pollution
The NAACP has filed a federal lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech, alleging that the companies operate 27 unpermitted methane gas turbines to power the Colossus 2 data center in South Memphis. The suit seeks a Clean...
Ionna Is Teaming Up With Circle K To Boost Its EV Charging Network
Ionna, a consortium of eight automakers, announced a partnership with convenience‑store chain Circle K to install high‑powered EV chargers at more than 350 locations across the United States. The deal also transfers Circle K’s existing network of 378 charging ports at 93...
Diesel Stockpile Agreement Aims to Improve Fuel Resilience Across Regional WA
The Western Australian government has signed a deal with independent supplier Cambridge Gulf to secure at least 4 million litres of diesel for storage in Wyndham, bolstering fuel resilience in the Kimberley region. The diesel will be 100 percent state‑owned and held...
Households Could Get Free Electricity for Doing Washing on Sunny Weekends
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched the Demand Flexibility Scheme, letting households and businesses with smart meters earn free or discounted electricity for running appliances during periods of excess renewable supply, such as sunny weekends. Approved by Ofgem,...
Meloni Says It's 'Too Early' To Tap Russian Gas
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it is too early to consider re‑importing Russian gas, despite soaring energy prices driven by the Iran conflict. She emphasized that economic pressure on Russia remains Europe’s strongest lever for a peace settlement in Ukraine,...
California County Jail to Save $12 Million in Energy Costs with Solar Carport and Tesla Battery
Sunrock Distributed Generation has commissioned a 1.243‑MW solar carport and a 1.043‑MW/2.087‑MWh Tesla Megapack battery at the Monterey County Jail in Salinas, California. Funded through a power‑purchase agreement, the system is projected to generate over 2,000 MWh of clean electricity each...