Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025
In 2023, 120 billion litres (BL) of biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel and other biofuels) were produced globally. Of this, about 54 percent (64 BL) was ethanol (known as bio-gasoline in North America), and the rest was biodiesel. The United States (US), Brazil, Europe and Indonesia accounted for over 85 percent of global biofuel production and roughly 84 percent of biofuel consumption. Most of the production of biofuels was consumed domestically, leaving only a small share for global trade. For example, the US produced 33 BL of ethanol in 2023, or about 50 percent of the global total and consumed roughly 91 percent of production internally. Brazil, the second largest producer of ethanol, consumed 92 percent of production internally. In the case of biodiesel, the Asia Pacific region, which is the largest producer, consumed about 81 percent of production internally in 2023. Since biofuel production in countries other than the top three is relatively small, imports from top-producing countries such as the US to biofuel markets such as India can have a large impact on the domestic markets.
Energy policy, as well as farm policy, is behind the dominance of the US in ethanol production and use. The oil crises of the 1970s was the initial driver of ethanol production in the US. Reducing dependence on oil imports from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) motivated policies that promoted biofuel production in general and ethanol production in particular. In the 1980s, octane-number enhancers that could replace lead drove policies that supported ethanol production for blending in petrol. Farmers of corn, the primary feedstock for ethanol production in the US, benefited from assured demand for corn and large farming states in the US started taking an interest in policies that sustained ethanol production. Nearly 45 percent of all corn grown in the US goes to ethanol production. Corn production is concentrated in the heartland of the US, with Iowa and Illinois accounting for about one-third of the US crop.
In the 1990s, the reduction of local pollution was among the key drivers of ethanol blending policies. Since 2005, climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles, along with increasing energy security through domestic production of energy sustained policies to promote ethanol use. Ethanol managed to stay relevant either in the context of US farm policy or in the context of energy and climate policy, notwithstanding many changes in the White House over the last five decades. The most recent change in the White House has, however, introduced a degree of policy uncertainty that the ethanol industry has not seen in the past.
One of the key drivers of ethanol demand in the US is the policy for renewable volume obligation (RVO) that mandates ethanol (along with biodiesel and renewable diesel) volumes to be produced and consumed annually. India’s ethanol blending targets in petrol is a comparable policy. The targets for biofuel production in the US in the last three years under the RVO policy did not meet the expectations of the biofuel production industry. Lower mandates for biofuel production decreased the value of credits that are used to fulfil RVOs, known as renewable identification number (RIN). RIN values were as low as US¢2.64/litre (US$ 0.10/gallon) during the last Trump presidency and also during the end of Biden's presidency, which reflected low RVOs. Exemptions for small refineries from compliance with RVO also reduced the supply of ethanol, affecting farmers of corn and ethanol producers, apart from reducing RIN values.
Under existing policy in the US, almost all petrol sold in the US is E10, a blend of 90 percent petrol and 10 percent ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US prohibits summer (June to September) sales of E15 in most states due to smog concerns. Some research papers suggest the risks are the same as E10, which can be sold year-round. Advocates of year-round E15 blending argue that E15 blended fuels can lower costs for consumers because ethanol is cheaper than petrol, and in addition, it can improve energy security through domestic production. A year-round E15 mandate will reduce expected ethanol and corn demand loss from expanded electric vehicle (EV) adoption, as would a rollback of corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFÉ) standards that favour EVs. Vehicles built after 2001 are capable of driving on E15 or higher blends. Eight Midwest states – Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin – requested the EPA to make year-round E15 sales permanent in their states, which has been approved. Trump's previous attempt to make E15 sales permanent year-round failed in the courts. According to biofuel industry associations, allowing E15 sales year-round could double sales of the higher-ethanol blend from roughly 1.5 billion litres currently. The largest US oil trade association opposes lifting the ban, saying E15 gasoline ruins older cars and potentially voids warranties.
The transition from the US¢26.42/litre (US$1/US gallon) blender’s tax credit, which expired at the end of 2024, to the 45Z producer’s tax credit (clean fuel production tax credit [CFPC]) was another concern for ethanol producers in the US. 45Z credit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ended the old biofuel credits and introduced a performance-based, technology-neutral tax credit designed to encourage more sustainable biofuel production. But the credit where producers are likely to get US¢ 7-16/litre of ethanol is only authorised for 2025 and 2026, so it would expire before a new plant could take advantage of it.
But the US biofuel industry had reason to cheer as the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a reconciliation bill in May 2025 that includes provisions updating and extending the 45Z clean fuel provisions. The House version of the bill aims to limit the availability of the 45Z credit to fuels produced from feedstocks produced or grown in the US, Mexico or Canada. The bill proposes to extend the 45Z credit through 31 December 2031. The US biofuel industry has welcomed the proposals. The Senate version of the bill retains and extends the tax credits but aims for a more moderate approach that balances support for US agriculture with fiscal restraint and international trade considerations. The Senate version of the bill calls for strict domestic sourcing and less flexible subsidies.
Notwithstanding provisions in the final bill that were passed, the US ethanol industry is at a crossroads, grappling with key challenges. Expansion of ethanol production would guarantee a market for all the ethanol that could be produced from plants currently operating. The industry desperately desires an expansion in ethanol blending because of a cost-price squeeze. Costs are up because of the industry's rapid expansion. Ethanol prices are low because of overproduction and the need to compete with EVs. The US livestock industry is opposed to higher ethanol blending in petrol, which increases the costs of feed for livestock. The petroleum industry is generally not in favour of higher ethanol blending as it reduces demand for petroleum products. But under the current environment, the petroleum and biofuels are joining forces (liquid fuel producers for internal combustion engine vehicles) to take on the EV industry that poses a common threat to both oil and biofuel demand. Generous support for US biofuel production by the Trump administration could lead to exports to countries like India that have set ambitious ethanol blending targets.
The US has consistently raised the issue of market access for its agricultural products, including corn and ethanol, in ongoing bilateral trade talks with India. According to studies by the US trade body, granting access to the Indian market could potentially increase US ethanol exports by at least US$414 million annually. US farm lobby groups have actively pressed the US administration to include corn and corn-based products in any trade deal with India.
While the US primarily grows GM (genetically modified) corn, India has regulations that prohibit GM food crops and currently does not allow ethanol made from imported grains for fuel blending. The US argument is that ethanol from imported corn would be solely for fuel blending and would not affect India's agriculture. US corn-based ethanol is technically cheaper than India's domestically produced ethanol, which could undercut higher domestic support prices.
India is traditionally a net importer of ethanol. Imported ethanol meets the demand from industries other than the demand from the ethanol blending programme. In 2024, India imported 600 million litres (ML) of ethanol, almost 50 percent more than imports in 2023, to meet India’s medical, industrial, and beverage demand. The production of two key feedstocks for ethanol distillation, sugar and grain (rice), often falls below targets due to uncertainty in rainfall, water stress or pest infestations. The availability of sugar and rice feedstocks decreased by approximately 20 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. This reduced ethanol production to 6.35 BL in 2024, a 2 percent reduction from 2023. To achieve blending of 20 percent ethanol in petrol by 2025, the government estimated that 7.6 BL of sugar-based ethanol and 7.4 BL of grain-based ethanol would be required. 6 million tonnes (MT) of sugar production and 16.5 MT of grain production by 2025 were expected to support an increase in ethanol production. As sugarcane and rice are major parts of the Indian food basket, diversion of sugar and rice for ethanol production is regulated.
The uncertainty in the availability of sugar and rice for ethanol production has led to a shift towards corn (maize in India) as a feedstock for ethanol production. India, traditionally a major exporter of corn to South and Southeast Asia, exported 84 percent less corn in 2024 and, for the first time in two decades, became a net importer of corn. Between 2020 and 2024, India’s corn exports declined by 86 percent. India imported a record 1 MT of corn, mainly from Myanmar and Ukraine, which grow non-GM (genetically modified) corn in 2024. In 2025, the share of corn as feedstock for ethanol production had increased to about 51 percent. Reports suggest that record rice production in the first half of 2025 led to higher allocation of sugar to the ethanol industry. This may reduce the share of corn in ethanol production. But abundant availability of sugar or rice is not guaranteed, as it depends on unpredictable factors like monsoon rain, making import of ethanol or feedstock like corn unavoidable. If ethanol imports for blending are allowed, it may sustain higher blending targets but have a negative financial impact on farmers growing corn or sugarcane and on ethanol distillers.
RE Policy and Market Trends
India achieved a record milestone in renewable energy installations, adding nearly 34.4 gigawatt (GW) of new solar and wind capacity during the first nine months of 2025, a 71 percent growth over the capacity addition in the same period last year. The country’s overall renewable energy installed capacity reached 247.3 GW at the end of September. Solar energy contributes approximately 52 percent of the total renewable energy (RE) segment, making it the largest contributor, followed by wind at 21 percent, large hydro at 20 percent, bio power at 5 percent, and small hydro at 2 percent. Between January and September 2025, around 22.5 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity was added in India, a 70 percent jump in installations compared to the first nine months of 2024. Around 50 percent of this capacity was commissioned in the third quarter of 2025 alone. In the nine months through September 2025, India added 5.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity, an 81 percent increase year-on-year.
India in August crossed the 250 GW-mark of installed capacity of power plants that do not use fossil fuel, helped in large part by the surge in solar energy units. This milestone is the half-way mark in the country’s journey to its target of 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. Not counting nuclear energy and large hydro projects, the country’s renewable energy capacity stands at about 192 GW; including them, the total non-fossil-fuel-based capacity works out to 251,405 MW. The total installed capacity of power stations across India comes to just over 495 GW. Thus, non-fossil fuel capacity works out to 50.7 percent of total power capacity — exceeding the half-way mark for the first time. While thermal sources (coal, lignite, gas) still dominate with about 244 GW, capacity in renewables have roared ahead, with solar energy alone accounting for about 123 GW.
Public and private sector solar projects worth around INR350 billion (US$3.89 bn) are expected to come up in Uttar Pradesh (UP) as the state is eyeing solar power capacity of 22,000 megawatt (MW) by 2027-28. These projects include the development of seven solar energy parks of 3,700 MW capacity across the state.
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) to collaborate on the development of 300 MW capacity of solar-based renewable energy projects across DRDO establishments in India. The MoU was signed with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), which operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka directed the officials to look into the possibility of integrating German technologies into the solar energy sector in the state. A German delegation met the deputy CM at the Secretariat and informed him that they have come up with certain proposals after learning about the Telangana government’s keen interest in generation and utilisation of solar energy. After looking into the proposals, the deputy CM directed Energy Department Principal Secretary Naveen Mittal to study how the German solar technologies can be integrated into Telangana’s power sector. Deputy CM revealed that the government was exploring ways to supply solar power to both agricultural pump sets and Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries.
The government made it mandatory for importers of certain products which are exclusively used for solar energy projects to register on the renewable energy equipment import monitoring system. These products include toughened (tempered) safety glass and photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells. A similar condition will also apply for imports of certain items having end-use in the area of wind-operated electricity generation. It included towers, bearing housings, gears and gearing. The import policy conditions of these items will come into effect from 1 November, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said.
Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has operationalised 112.5 MW of power projects at Khavda in Gujarat, taking its total generation capacity to 16,598.6 MW. The company has operationalised a solar project of 87.5 MW through its stepdown subsidiary Adani Renewable Energy Fifty Six Ltd. Through Adani Green Energy Twenty Five B Ltd, a hybrid project of 25 MW has been operationalised at the same location.
The commerce ministry’s arm DGTR has initiated an anti-dumping probe into the import of a solar component and mobile covers from China, following complaints by RenewSys India and All India Mobile Cover Manufacturer Association. The applicant has alleged that the industry is impacted due to the dumped imports of "Solar Encapsulants, excluding EVA Encapsulants" from China. The item is used in the manufacturing of solar PV modules.
Tata Power Mumbai distribution has signed a power purchase agreement with Tata Power Renewables to set up 80 MW renewable and clean energy project. The project is expected to generate approximately 315 million units (MUs) of electricity annually, mitigating over 0.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. A key feature of this initiative is the commitment to a 4-hour peak power supply, ensuring at least 90 percent availability during peak demand hours to support the growing energy needs of Tata Power Mumbai Distribution. The project will integrate advanced solar, wind and battery storage systems to enable reliable energy dispatch during peak demand, thereby strengthening grid stability. Once commissioned, the clean energy generated from this project will be seamlessly integrated into Tata Power’s Mumbai distribution network, enabling the delivery of reliable, low-emission electricity to around 8 lakh customers across residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
India’s contribution to mitigating global warming may stutter unless the recent slowdown in auctions of renewable projects reverses. The world’s third-biggest polluter has slashed conducting auctions for awarding renewable capacity at utility level in 2025-26 (FY26), the lowest since FY21, after several high-profile awards failed to find purchasers for electricity to be produced by these projects. The capacity bid by federal agencies has declined over 15 GW in April-September from the first half of FY25.
Roof Top /Distributed Solar Projects
Following the directives of Union government, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has decided to waive all fees for rooftop solar (RTS) units under PM Surya Ghar (PMSG) Muft Bijli Yojana. To incentivise and financially support power utilities, a budget of INR49.50 billion was allocated and the ministry of renewable energy has already disbursed INR1.72 bn (US$19.11 million (mn)) to KSEB as an incentive. At present, as per Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC)’s renewable energy regulations 2020, KSEB collects INR1,000 plus GST as application fee for RTS installation under PMSG scheme. It also collects INR1,000 plus GST as registration fee. The full board meeting of KSEB decided to take up the matter of fee withdrawal with KSERC and implement the changes with its approval. As per the existing regulation, KSEB collects the application and registration fee before the installation of the solar plant. KSEB refunds 8 percent of the registration fees collected if the eligible consumer installs the renewable energy system within the validity period of registration. According to a KSEB order in this regard, the Union ministry of power had earlier directed power utilities to collect all charges/fees (load enhancement, meter test, net meter cost and commissioning fee for solar installation) at one time through the first bill after installation to avoid multiple visits of consumers to section offices.
An infrastructure company mainly into rooftop and ground-based solar power installations, PVV Infra Ltd’s two subsidiaries have received two solar power orders valued at INR7.99 bn (US$88.79 mn). PVV EVTech Private Ltd, a subsidiary of the company has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) for a 100 MW solar power project at various locations in the districts of Baghpat and Moradabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Goa Chief minister (CM) Pramod Sawant inaugurated a solar power project at the Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) premises. He said supporting the call for all municipalities and panchayats to become self-sufficient and use natural resources to reduce the cost of electricity and water, the Sanquelim municipality has successfully launched a solar energy project, which is a laudable initiative towards curtailing power consumption in the state. He said this project will not only provide free electricity to the municipality but also generate revenue from the excess electricity supplied to the grid.
The Delhi government plans to install solar panels on around 1,000 buildings to generate 55 MW of green energy. The solar panels will be installed on hundreds of schools, over 40 fire stations, 24 Delhi Jal Board offices and more than 70 buildings of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the coming months. The move will save more than INR500 (US$5.56) mn annually in electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions by 46,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Utility Scale Solar Projects
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has announced that its mega renewable energy project in Kutch, Gujarat, will begin solar power generation during the first half of fiscal year 2026-27 (H1 FY27). The company expects to begin commissioning solar generation units for its captive requirements as part of its green fuels production program in the first half of the next fiscal year. The Kutch mega project will serve as the foundation of the company’s integrated new energy ecosystem, which includes the production of green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol as well as sustainable aviation fuel. The project complex will also integrate large-scale solar and battery giga-factories, making it one of the most comprehensive renewable infrastructures globally.
In a step towards adopting cleaner energy, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has invited bids for an annual supply of 500 MUs of renewable energy. This will be in addition to the 350 MUs already being sourced annually from Rewa Solar Park, and the 40 MUs from rooftop solar plants installed at DMRC’s stations, depots, and staff colonies. The process aimed at selecting a ‘solar power developer’ for setting up a grid along with a battery energy storage system (BESS) for this purpose. Currently, renewable energy accounts for about 33 percent of DMRC’s total power usage during operational hours.
Hydro Power
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has charted out a INR6.4 trillion (US$71.12 bn) transmission plan to evacuate 76 GW of hydroelectric capacity from the Brahmaputra basin by 2047. According to the CEA report, the plan covers a total of 69.13 GW of hydro potential available in the Brahmaputra Basin comprising 224 projects, each above 25 MW, and with cumulative installed capacity of 68.7 GW. As per the plan, phase 1 will cost INR1.91 trillion while INR4.52 trillion (US50.23 bn) will be required for phase 2. The plan includes projects allocated to central public sector companies including NHPC, NEEPCO, and SJVN. Some of the projects are already in the pipeline. As per the report, keeping in view the implementation time frame of hydroelectric plants in the Brahmaputra Basin, the phasing of transmission system has been done in two time frames i.e. upto 2035 and beyond 2035. The Brahmaputra river, which rises in Tibet, China, and flows through India and Bangladesh, holds significant hydro potential in its Indian stretch, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh on the China border. The CEA expects the country’s peak power demand to reach 366 GW by 2032 further reaching up to 575 GW by 2047.
The residents of Mashna panchayat in the Lug Valley of Kullu district are up in arms against a hydropower project and served a legal notice to the Centre and the Himachal Pradesh government, warning that they will move the Himachal Pradesh high court if the project operations are not suspended immediately. According to the villagers, the Sarvari-I – a 4.5 MW small hydroelectric project built on the Sarvari rivulet, a tributary of the Beas river, by DSL Hydrowatt Ltd – caused significant damage in the panchayat. Leakage from the surge shaft and head race tunnel (HRT) and the bursting of the penstock triggered devastating landslides in August and September. The notice warns that if the demands are not met, residents will approach the Himachal Pradesh high court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), besides seeking criminal action against project officials.
Wind Power
ACME Solar Holdings announced commissioning of 28 MW first phase of its 100 MW wind power project in Gujarat. With this, the company’s total operational capacity has increased from 2,890 MW to 2,918 MW, ACME Solar said. The ACME Eco Clean wind project is located at Surendranagar in Gujarat. The project would share the sub-station with ACME Solar's already commissioned 50 MW wind power project.
India is gearing up to anchor the global wind manufacturing landscape by 2030, driven by a strong mix of domestic firms, Western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and a growing presence of Chinese players. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that India will remain a major export hub for onshore wind components, underscoring the country's expanding role in the global renewable energy supply chain. For the first time, large-scale supply contracts have been awarded to Chinese manufacturers in India and several other countries. India currently boasts more than 20 GW of wind turbine manufacturing capacity, catering to both domestic demand and export markets. India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, including 100 GW from wind (30 GW offshore). Coupled with expanding manufacturing and localisation, the country is set to meet domestic and export demand while strengthening its role in the global clean energy transition.
Biomass/Bio-Power/Waste to Energy
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s recent inauguration of a massive bamboo-based bio-refinery in Assam to produce fuel-grade ethanol is testimony to the government’s resolve to diversify feedstock for bio-fuels beyond India’s mainstay of maize and sugarcane. The biofuel initiative has had considerable success. Filling stations supply petrol with up to 20 percent ethanol content, aiming to serve three objectives: one, reduce foreign exchange outflows, since we import 88 percent of our oil needs; two, raise farmer earnings; and three, reduce carbon emissions. But diversifying inputs is a challenge. To appreciate this, a review of the measures taken to arrive at the current blend is instructive.
Nuclear Power
From legislative amendments to increasing uranium production in India, a government committee has made several recommendations to overcome the challenges facing the 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047. These measures will not only attract private investment in nuclear space but also help with faster clearances required to set up such projects. In February, Ministry of Power had constituted a committee to prepare a 'Road Map for Achieving the goal of 100 GW of Nuclear Capacity by 2047'. The committee has held several rounds of discussions on all aspects of the journey towards 100 GW by 2047 and identified several challenges facing the target and recommended measures needed to mitigate the same. The present nuclear installed capacity in the country is 8.88 GW.
The 2,800 MW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, developed by a NPCIL-NTPC joint venture at an investment of around INR420 (US$4.67) bn in Rajasthan, will be one of the largest nuclear plants in the country, supplying reliable base load energy, NTPC said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nuclear project along with other energy projects having a combined investment value of over INR510 billion in Rajasthan. Modi laid the foundation stone of 4X700 MW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), which is being developed by joint venture entity Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI). The partners will pool in financial, technological, and project expertise for the project. The project, which marks NTPC’s foray into nuclear power generation, will be one of the largest nuclear plants in the country supplying reliable base load energy and will strengthen India's position in the environmental stewardship and evolving nuclear energy landscape.
World
Oil, gas and coal will continue to dominate the world’s energy mix well beyond 2050, as soaring electricity demand outpaces the shift to renewables, according to a new McKinsey report. Continued use of fossil fuels poses a major challenge to achieving global net-zero climate targets. Electricity demand will rise mainly due to a projected 20-40 percent increase from the industry and buildings sectors by 2050, according to the report, with North American data centres seen as the biggest contributors to the surge.
A record amount of renewable energy capacity was added globally last year, but that still left countries short of targets towards meeting a United Nations (UN) climate goal to triple capacity by 2030, global renewable groups report showed. More than 100 countries at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023 agreed to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 as part of efforts to meet global climate targets. The report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Global Renewables Alliance and the COP30 Brazilian Presidency tracks progress towards meeting the goal, and comes ahead of this year’s COP UN climate talks in Brazil next month. A record 582 GW of renewable capacity was added in 2024, the report showed, representing a 15.1 percent annual growth rate. Meeting the target by 2030 will require annual growth of 16.6 percent from 2025-2030. By the end of 2024, a total of 4,443 GW of renewable energy was installed globally, versus the tripling target of 11,174 GW. According to a report by think-tank Ember, renewable energy sources generated more electricity than coal for the first time in the first half of 2025.
The IEA cut its global forecast for renewable power growth by 2030 by 248 GW from last year’s outlook, citing weaker prospects in the United States (US) and China, even as solar power continues to drive record additions. Global renewable power capacity is now expected to rise by 4,600 GW by 2030 - down from the six-year forecast of 5,500 GW in 2024 - with solar accounting for about 80 percent of the increase, the data showed. The agency warned that solar and rare-earth supply chains remain highly concentrated in China, with key segments staying above 90 percent through 2030.
North & South America
Texas’s main power generation system is on track for a rare contraction in fossil fuel-fired generation in 2025, as long as output from the state’s massive wind farms rises sharply as expected during the final quarter of the year. During the first nine months of 2025, fossil fuel power generation within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Texas' main power network - is down by 1 percent from the same months in 2024, LSEG data shows. Over the same period, generation from clean energy sources jumped by 14 percent, which has helped lift total ERCOT power generation by 5 percent from a year ago to record highs. ERCOT fossil fuel output has contracted by around 1 percent so far in 2025 while clean power output is up 14 percent. Total generation is up 5 percent from the year before. So far in 2025, Texas solar parks have done most of the heavy lifting in terms of boosting output, with ERCOT solar generation registering a 45 percent surge from the year before. All of ERCOT’s clean energy sources - wind, solar, nuclear and hydro - scaled new highs so far in 2025 as power firms capitalized on the widespread clean energy growth to lift total power generation to a record of just over 15.6 million megawatt hour (MWh). Around 54 percent of ERCOT’s power came from fossil fuels so far in 2025, while a record 46 percent came from clean power sources While solar farms registered the largest year-over-year expansion, wind farms supplied the largest chunk of clean power, of 3.57 million MWh. Solar’s output total was 2.18 million MWh, while nuclear reactors produced 1.3 million MWh and hydro dams just under 21,000 MWh, data shows.
US community solar installations declined 36 percent in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, following a record-setting 2024, according to consultancy Wood Mackenzie and the Coalition for Community Solar Access report. Nearly 440 MW of new community solar capacity was added in the first six months of 2025, down from 683 MW in the first half of 2024. More than 1.8 GW of community solar, the highest annual total to date, was added last year. After the rapid growth of solar energy in the US in recent years, the expansion of the zero-emissions electricity source is expected to slow in the coming years as federal incentives fade away.
Vistra Corporation has secured a long-term deal to supply power from its Comanche Peak nuclear plant to an unnamed buyer. The utility has signed a 20-year deal to supply 1,200 MW of power from its nuclear power plant in Somervell County, Texas, to an undisclosed investment-grade buyer. Vistra expects power delivery to start in the fourth quarter of 2027, and full capacity by 2032.
New York governor Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to accelerate procurement of US$5 billion of wind and solar energy projects before the expiration of federal subsidies being phased out under President Donald Trump’s new tax law. The move by a Democratic governor is aimed at protecting the state’s ambitious clean energy and climate change goals amid waning support for such policies from the Republican Trump administration. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed into law in July, accelerated the phase-out of 30 percent tax credits for wind and solar projects. It requires projects to begin construction within a year or enter service by the end of 2027 to qualify for the credits. Previously the credits were available through 2032. Eligibility applications for the new land-based renewable energy solicitation are due in October 2025, with final proposals by December 2025. Award notifications are expected by February 2026. State agencies will prioritize projects eligible for federal tax credits.
Europe
Spain this year has clocked a growing number of hours with solar power prices at zero or even negative levels, which arise when supply exceeds demand and producers need to pay to offload power or stop plants, industry group UNEF said, a trend that could compromise the country’s green energy shift. Between January and September this year, solar power producers faced 693 hours of negative or zero power prices, reaching the total for last year, UNEF said. Spain has set ambitious targets in its climate and energy plan. The warning comes as the country needs to speed up the rollout of renewables projects to meet such goals.
Shell expects to report a US$600 mn hit in the third quarter after abandoning its biofuels project in Rotterdam, bringing total impairments and provisions related to the venture to US$1.4 bn, it said. Shell had approved development of the 820,000 metric tonnes per year biofuels plant in 2021, but paused construction last year and cancelled the project entirely in early September because it would not have been competitive. The decision to exit the project is the latest in a series of steps by fossil fuel producers retreating from earlier pledges to expand cleaner energy.
China
China’s fossil-fuelled power generation fell 5.4 percent on the year in September as hydropower output surged, National Bureau of Statistics data showed. Thermal power output, which is mostly from coal with a small amount from natural gas, was 517.5 billion kilowatt hour (kWh) in September, data showed. That was also down from 627.4 billion kWh in August, when thermal output surged to the highest level in decades, boosted by record-breaking summer temperatures and lower hydropower output. China’s thermal power output was down 1.2 percent over the first nine months. Hydropower output in September rose 31.9 percent from the year-earlier level.
Other Asia Pacific
Philippines expects higher gas-fired and renewable power generation to fuel a projected 6.6 percent growth in power demand over the next two years, helping reduce dependence on coal, its energy secretary Sharon Garin said. The country will continue to boost gas use for power generation and plans to add more gas-fired capacity to address rising demand, Garin said. Philippines has the most coal-dependent grid in Southeast Asia but is set to register a decline in coal-fired generation for the first time in 17 years in 2025, due mainly to rising gas and hydro output.
Portuguese utilities firm EDP expects to accelerate its solar and battery storage projects in Australia after securing government awards for long-term revenue generation, the company said. Its subsidiary EDP Renewables Australia was awarded generation revenue schemes under the government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) for two projects that will add more than 1.7 GW of solar and battery storage to the country’s energy mix, EDP said. EDP expects to reach financial close for the Punchs Creek project located in the Toowoomba region of Queensland in 2026 and to commission the plant in early 2029. The project comprises 480 megawatt peak (MWp) of solar and a 400 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The Merino project, near Goulburn in New South Wales, which includes 530 MWp solar power generation and a 450 MW BESS is expected to reach ready-to-build status in the second half of 2026, the company said. Australia’s CIS aims to accelerate investment in renewable energy generation and clean dispatchable capacity such as battery storage by providing a long-term revenue safety net for projects.
Indonesia’s state utility firm Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has started constructing a 92 MW peak floating solar power plant in the West Java province as part of the country’s renewable energy drive, it said. Indonesia plans to add 42.6 GW of renewable energy, almost 61 percent of the additional power it plans to raise, to its grid by 2034. Solar power’s contribution is expected to be 17.1 GW of the additional capacity. The upcoming PLN plant on the Saguling reservoir, about 180 kilometres from the capital Jakarta, aims to begin commercial operations in November 2026. The plant will generate more than 130 gigawatt hour (GWh) of electricity every year, PLN said.
Curtailment of wind and solar power generation in Japan is set to rise to record levels this year due to increased nuclear power use, exacerbating pain for a sector seeing an exodus of players. In the years since the 2011 Fukushima disaster prompted a nationwide nuclear shutdown, the world’s fifth-largest power producer has gradually restarted some nuclear plants. Fourteen of 33 commercially available reactors have been restarted, including two that came back online last year. Another received preliminary approval this year for a restart that may not come until 2027. Renewable curtailment in nine of Japan’s ten grid regions was 2.3 percent of wind and solar output in the eight months through August, compared with 1.8 percent in the same period last year. Japan wants renewables to account for as much as 50 percent of its annual power output by 2040 and for nuclear to make up 20 percent. That compares with levels of 23 percent and 8.5 percent in fiscal 2023 respectively. New wind and solar installations in Japan grew just 3.3 percent in 2024, the slowest pace since 2009, the International Renewable Energy Agency data shows.
Festive season drives petrol sales but diesel lag
2 November: India’s petrol sales surged to a five-month high in October on festive travel boost, but diesel consumption remained flattish, defying the trend, according to preliminary industry data. Petrol consumption rose 7 percent year-on-year to 3.65 million tonnes (MT) in October, as the onset of festival season increased demand for the fuel. The sales were higher month-on-month as well when compared to 3.4 MT in September. Diesel - the most consumed fuel in the country, accounting for almost 40 percent of the fuel consumption basket - posted a marginal drop in sales at 7.6 MT in October compared to 7.64 MT in the same month of the previous year.
IOC seeks bids for 24 mn barrels of oil from Americas for March quarter
30 October: Indian Oi Corporation (IOC)l has invited initial bids for 24 million barrels of oil from the Americas for the January-March quarter in 2026. Many Indian refiners paused new orders for Russian oil after the US (United States) imposed sanctions on Moscow’s top two producers, with some turning to the spot market for alternatives. IOC is looking to gauge market interest in the event that it needs to buy oil from the Americas.
HPCL issues fuel import tenders after disruptions at Mumbai refinery
28 October: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) issued two rare tenders to import transport fuels for early November delivery, after the company shut one of its processing units due to feedstock contamination. Chairman Vikas Kaushal said HPCL had closed its gasoline-producing continuous catalytic reformer during the processing of contaminated oil that it had sourced from Hindustan Oil Exploration Company. HOECL said in a statement it will engage in talks with HPCL over redressing the issue. HPCL has sought about 34,000 tonnes of gasoline and 65,000 tonnes of gasoil for delivery between 1 and 10 November at the port of Mundra on the western coast of India.
India needs to make a big oil and gas discovery soon: Oil secretary
26 October: India would lose credibility if it is unable to make a big oil and gas discovery soon, Oil secretary Pankaj Jain said. He said that the Centre recently introduced several legislative changes in the exploration space to support the industry. To boost production, India has been expediting exploration activities while also urging international oil companies to collaborate with domestic players for high-end technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Deepwater Exploration Mission in August 2025 aimed at discovering oil and gas reserves in the deep sea. India has not witnessed a big oil and gas discovery since Mumbai High and Krishna Godavari. The Mumbai High discovery was made in 1974, while Krishna Godavari was in the early 2000s. The Indian government is banking on exploration activities currently in place in the Andaman Sea, expecting a “Guyana-like” discovery from the region.
India poised to sharply cut Russian oil imports after sanctions
23 October: Indian refiners are poised to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil to comply with new US (United States) sanctions on two top Russian producers, potentially removing a major hurdle to a trade deal with the US. The change comes as India faces punishing 50 percent tariffs on its exports to the US - with half of those duties in retaliation for Russian oil purchases - and negotiates a potential trade deal that could bring those tariffs in line with Asian peers in exchange for winding down crude imports from Moscow. India has emerged as the biggest buyer of discounted seaborne Russian crude in the aftermath of Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, importing about 1.7 million barrels per day in the first nine months of this year. Reliance Industries Ltd, the top Indian buyer of Russian crude, plans to reduce or cease imports of Russian oil, including halting purchases under its large long-term deal with Rosneft. Indian state refiners including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) are reviewing their Russian oil trade documents to ensure no supply will be coming directly from Rosneft and Lukoil after the US sanctioned the oil companies.
India’s Adani Total Gas reports lower profit as pricey imports lift costs
28 October: India’s Adani Total Gas reported a decline in second-quarter profit, as elevated costs from pricier gas imports weighed on earnings after the government cut cheaper supply. The city gas distributor, a joint venture between Adani Group and French energy major TotalEnergies, said its consolidated net profit fell 12 percent to INR1.63 billion (US$18.5 million) in the three months ended September. In April, the Indian government reduced the allocation of low-cost natural gas to distributors, prompting companies to rely on pricier gas imports. The impact of this policy change continued into the second quarter. The company’s natural gas costs rose 29 percent, leading to a 26 percent rise in total expenses to INR13.69 billion. India's natural gas production declined for the third straight month, falling 3.8 percent year-on-year in September.
Falling production from KG-D6 drags down national gas output
23 October: Falling output from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) -BP’s KG-D6 fields is weighing on India’s overall natural gas production. The block’s 8 percent annual decline in the first half of the fiscal year, along with a 2 percent drop from ONGC’s fields, dragged national output by 3 percent, according to oil ministry data. Average KG-D6 gas production slipped to 26.1 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) in the July-September quarter from 28.5 mmscmd a year earlier. A slight rise in gas prices partly offset the lower volumes, but RIL’s upstream operating profit still fell 5.4 percent to INR50.02 billion in the second quarter.
Coal India production drops 9.8 percent to 56.4 MT in October
1 November: Coal India Limited (CIL) said its production declined 9.8 percent to 56.4 million tonnes (MT) in October. The company’s production was 62.5 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal year. However, no reasons were given by the company for the drop in production.
ISRO signs MoU to map coal fire in Jharia Coalfield
31 October: ISRO has said that it has signed a tripartite agreement with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited to map coal fire in Jharia Coalfield. SAR interferometric technique will be used to identify land subsidence in Jharia Coalfield on annual basis, using data from NISAR and Sentinel-1 satellites. The results of the satellite-based analysis will be jointly validated on the ground. These maps will help BCCL to implement and monitor the Jharia Master Plan of Ministry of Coal, for appropriate management interventions.
Adani Power emerges as lowest bidder for 3.2 GW coal tender in India’s Assam state
31 October: Adani Power has emerged as the lowest bidder for a 3.2 gigawatt (GW) coal power supply tender floated by the northeastern state of Assam, the company said. The bid has received regulatory approval from the state electricity commission, and Adani Power expects formal communication of the award shortly, it said. The tender is part of a broader pipeline of over 22 GW of thermal power bids across states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal, as they seek to secure long-term baseload capacity amid rising demand and intermittent renewable generation. In August, Adani Power announced investments of about US$5 billion in two coal-powered plants. The company aims to expand capacity to 42 GW from 18 GW by fiscal year 2032, with 8.5 GW already tied up under long-term power purchase agreements.
Coal exchange rules to be finalised by November-end: Coal Secretary
30 October: The draft rules for the country’s proposed coal exchange will be finalised by the end of November after examining feedback received from the public, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said. The proposed coal exchange aims to bring transparency, efficiency and a market-driven mechanism to domestic coal trading.
‘No need to increase coal capacity over NEP goals’
29 October: India is undergoing a new phase of energy transition. It does not need to add more coal capacity than its existing National Electricity Plan (NEP) 2032 targets, neither for reliability nor peak coverage, energy think tank Ember has said. Ultimately, coal-based electricity will get 25 percent more expensive in FY 2031-32 than in FY 2024-25, owing to falling utilisation rates driving up fixed costs and expenses associated with additional part-load inefficiencies, higher auxiliary consumption, and retrofit needs, the Ember analysis has found.
Coal India intensifies critical mineral push with fresh bids, global focus
28 October: Coal India Ltd (CIL) is stepping up efforts to secure access to critical minerals, both domestically and overseas, as part of its ongoing diversification strategy. The state-run miner, which has already emerged as a preferred bidder for two graphite blocks, is preparing to participate in the ongoing sixth tranche of critical mineral auctions being conducted by the mines ministry. So far, CIL has been declared the preferred bidder for two domestic graphite blocks — the Khattali Chhoti Graphite block in Madhya Pradesh and the Oranga-Revatipur Graphite and Vanadium block in Chhattisgarh. The Centre has auctioned 34 critical mineral blocks across five tranches so far, while the sixth tranche has placed 23 blocks on offer.
Protesters accuse CISF of lathi-charge at coal mine in Chhattisgarh's Korba
23 October: A farmers' organisation accused the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) of lathi-charging a group of displaced persons protesting against the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Korba district of Chhattisgarh. The SECL, on the other hand, claimed that some people entered a prohibited area of its mine at Gevra, and tried to disrupt coal production.
Government plans more power substations to improve electricity supply in state: Karnataka Energy Minister
4 November: Energy Minister KJ George said the state government is ready to establish additional power substations wherever suitable land is available, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance Karnataka’s electricity distribution infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply across regions. Under the KUSUM-C scheme, agricultural feeders are being solarised to supply uninterrupted daytime power for irrigation pumpsets. The government has initiated steps to generate 2,400 megawatt (MW) under this scheme, attracting private investments worth INR100 billion. Once completed, the power supply issues faced by farmers will be largely resolved, he said. Under the Niranthara Jyothi scheme, officials have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted single-phase power for household consumption. He mentioned that the Akrama-Sakrama scheme is being implemented to legalise unauthorised power connections used for agricultural pumpsets. He said that continuous power in forest-fringe villages will also help prevent wildlife intrusion during the night.
Industrial power demand rises 8 percent in western Madhya Pradesh
2 November: Industrial power consumption in western Madhya Pradesh recorded a significant rise over the past year, indicating higher production activity and renewed industrial expansion across major manufacturing hubs. Industrial electricity consumption rose notably in key manufacturing hubs such as Indore, Pithampur, Dewas, Dhar, and Ujjain, where expanding industrial activity and new units led to higher power demand across sectors including engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. The Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company (MPPKVVCL) recorded 8 percent increase in industrial and high-voltage electricity supply during the last 12 months. According to company data, more than 8.42 billion units of power were supplied to industrial and high-voltage consumers in the past year compared with 7.84 billion units in the previous 12 months. The number of industrial and high-tension connections also grew by about 250, taking the total count to 4,860 across the western region, of which over 3300 are located in and around Indore.
India’s power consumption dips 6 percent in October on cooler weather, rains
1 November: Power consumption in the country fell by 6 percent to 132 billion units (Bus) in October from 140.47 BUs in same month last year, mainly on account of less use of cooling appliances. The decline in power consumption was attributed to unseasonal rainfall during the month in some parts of the country coupled with onset of winter season, which kept temperatures in check, experts said.
Centre plans next-gen power reforms for debt and loss-ridden discoms
30 October: The Indian government is working on a restructuring plan for power distribution companies (discoms) that are mired by mounting debt and poor performances. The plan, though not a first, has a new approach involving opening state-run power utilities to the private sector through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and partial stake sale, the Centre backing them through capital expenditure support, and state governments taking over the current unsustainable debt of their discoms. Currently, only a few states and union territories including Delhi, Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra have private-sector participation in the electricity distribution business. The scheme, if implemented, could benefit Reliance Power, Tata Power, Adani Power, Torrent Power and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) Limited as they are likely to bid for stake sales as and when they happen. The proposed discom restructuring plan has been prepared by a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union minister for power Manohar Lal Khattar and is likely to be included in the Union Budget 2026 that will be tabled in the Parliament on 1 February next year.
Rashmi Group to invest INR100 bn in steel, power plant in West Bengal
27 October: Kolkata-based Rashmi Group said it would set up a 2.8 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant along with a 400 megawatt (MW) captive power plant in Purulia, West Bengal. The proposed investment in the project is about INR100 billion, and the target is to complete the project by 2030. The company said that the state government has allotted 938 acres of land for the project and awarded it “ultra mega project” status, enabling the group’s expansion to receive fast-tracked approvals.
Telangana gears up for 19 GW demand as Yadadri plant nears full operation
26 October: With the state’s peak power demand projected to touch 19,000 MW (megawatt) by next year, the state energy department has begun preparations to ensure uninterrupted supply during the 2026 rabi and summer seasons. The upcoming Yadadri thermal power station will be fully operational in the next few months, while Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will also ramp up coal production to support enhanced power generation. 72 new sub-stations will be set up under the southern discom (distribution company) and 31 under the northern discom. Transco is currently upgrading transformer capacity at 181 extra high tension (EHT) sub-stations across the state. Additionally, the southern discom will install 8,384 new distribution transformers, while the northern discom will add 5,280, along with expansion of EHT, 33/11 kilovolt (kV) lines and power transformer capacity at 33/132/220/400 kV sub-stations.
Centre’s green policies hit by power tariff hike: GFP President
25 October: The Goa Forward Party (GFP) criticised the Goa electricity department’s proposal to increase the night-time power tariffs by 20 percent. GFP President Vijai Sardesai said that such a move is not only counterproductive to the Centre’s green policies but also symptomatic of government’s lack of long-term vision. He said that the move will directly hit electric vehicle (EV) owners who charge their vehicles at night. He said that power supply cannot be seen as a luxury to be controlled or used as a revenue-generating source.
Kalpataru Projects bags INR23.3 bn orders across T&D and building segments
23 October: Kalpataru Projects International Ltd (KPIL) has secured new orders worth about INR23.32 billion across its Power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) and Buildings & Factories (B&F) businesses. The T&D projects are located in overseas markets, while the B&F contracts are for domestic projects. The fresh wins continue the company’s strong momentum this financial year, taking total order inflows in FY26 to nearly INR150 billion — a 25 percent year-on-year increase, according to KPIL. The company currently executes projects in more than 30 countries and has a presence in over 75 nations.
Power consumption on Diwali defies trend this time
22 October: Peak power demand met in the country or the highest supply of electricity on the day of Diwali dropped slightly this time compared to last year, breaching the usual trend during the festival. According to government data, the peak power demand declined to 180.14 gigawatt (GW) from 182.87 GW on 31 October 2024, when the festival of light was celebrated last year. Usually, consumption of electricity as well as demand increases on Diwali due to excessive use of lights and other appliances by domestic and commercial consumers as people decorate every corner of their homes, shops and offices. The country’s overall power consumption declined to 3,965 million units (Mus) as against 4,062 MUs recorded on the occasion a year ago, the power ministry data showed. For the peak summer season this year, the ministry had projected the highest demand to reach 277 GW, more than the all-time high of 250 GW recorded in May last year. However, this summer (April onwards), the highest demand reached just 242.77 GW in June as more than usual rainfall lowered the overall temperature, leading to less use of air-conditioners and coolers. Before last year, the electricity demand had recorded an all-time peak of 243.27 GW in September 2023.
India may cancel stalled green power projects struggling to find clients
4 November: India is considering canceling green power projects equivalent to as much as a fifth of the country’s renewable capacity because they’re struggling to find state utilities to buy their electricity. The power ministry has reviewed 42 gigawatt (GW) worth of planned projects that have yet to sign offtake agreements and advised authorities to shelve those that are no longer feasible. While the move could free up grid capacity struggling to keep up with India’s rapid renewable rollout, it would be a major setback for the green ambitions of the world’s third-highest emitter. The country aims to double clean power capacity to 500 GW by the end of the decade. The country’s financially challenged utilities have been reluctant to commit to buying renewable electricity, which remains irregular without energy storage systems, resulting in a mismatch of power supply and demand.
Four Tamil Nadu districts get decarbonisation plan
1 November: Tamil Nadu (TN) government launched District Decarbonisation Action Plans (DDAPs) for four key districts – the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar – along with a State Climate Action Tracker that will enable real-time monitoring of the state’s progress towards its net-zero goals. The four pilot districts together contribute over 10 percent of TN’s Gross State Domestic Product and represent the state’s diverse economic and ecological landscape – from Coimbatore’s industrial base to the Western Ghats of Nilgiris and the coastal ecosystems of Ramanathapuram. Studies indicate that up to 92 percent of projected emissions in these districts by 2050 can be abated through clean energy adoption, industrial efficiency and nature-based solutions. In addition, nearly 2.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent can be sequestered by 2050 through forest restoration, agroforestry, wetland conservation and coastal ecosystem rejuvenation. The Tamil Nadu Climate Action Tracker consolidates climate data across emissions, energy systems, vulnerabilities, land-use change and resilience measures. It will allow the government to undertake evidence-based planning, enable transparent progress reporting and track the implementation of climate actions at district level.
New small hydro policy soon: Union New & Renewable Energy Minister
1 November: Union New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the ministry will soon launch a new small hydro policy with enhanced subsidies for the Northeastern region, considering its difficult terrain and logistics challenges. The policy aims to promote local power generation and rural livelihoods through decentralised hydro projects, he said after inaugurating a workshop on renewable energy for the Northeast zone in Guwahati on 31 October. The meeting was organised to accelerate the renewable energy transition in the region by addressing its unique challenges and identifying practical solutions for faster implementation of key schemes. The ministry’s Secretary Santosh Sarangi stated that India targets 500 gigawatt (GW) of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with the Northeast expected to play a key role. He said that with proper utilisation, the Northeast could evolve from being an energy importer to an energy exporter.
Shree Cement commissions 20 MW solar plant in Chitrakoot
27 October: Shree Cement Ltd, one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, has commissioned a 20 MWp (megawatt peak) solar power plant in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh. The project strengthens the company’s commitment to renewable energy, enhancing operational resilience and supporting India’s transition to clean energy. The plant will supply renewable power to the Etah grinding unit using the Wheeling and Banking route. The Phase 1 has achieved commercial operation (COD) after verification by the UP-State Load Dispatch Centre (UPSLDC). Phase 2 is expected to be commissioned by the end of Q4 FY25-26. Beyond powering operations sustainably, the project is expected to create 30-40 daily employment opportunities for the local community. Once fully operational, it is expected to offset approximately 22,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) annually, a tangible step toward a low-carbon future. With this commissioning, Shree Cement’s total installed solar capacity now reaches 313.5 MWp across India.
Kerala will become a self-reliant and carbon-neutral green State: Electricity Minister
26 October: Kerala is moving steadily towards becoming an energy self-sufficient and carbon-neutral green State, Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty said while inaugurating the newly built 33 kilovolt (kV) substation at Choolissery. The Minister said the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is continuing to operate profitably, marking a significant phase where the State faces no power cuts or load shedding. He highlighted various initiatives implemented in the hydropower and solar energy sectors and said the newly introduced Battery Energy Storage System has been performing efficiently to address night time power shortages. The substation, constructed at a cost of INR45.3 million on 120 cents of KSEB-owned land at Choolissery, will provide a long-term solution to the power shortages faced in Choolissery, Mundur, Avanur, Medical College, Kuttur, Kottekkad, and Kunnathpeedika areas. Currently, these regions receive power from the Kottekkad feeder at the 110 kV Viyyur substation, which often faces overload and voltage issues, especially during summer. The new substation, sanctioned following the intervention of Chittilappilly, will ensure uninterrupted, high-quality power supply to over 50,000 domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers across the Puzhakkal block, and the Avanur, Kolazhy, and Kaiparambu panchayats.
Crompton Greaves secures INR4.4 bn solar rooftop order in Andhra Pradesh
24 October: Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd announced the acquisition of a significant solar rooftop order valued at INR4.45 billion. This project, which is the largest in the company’s solar portfolio, will involve the installation of 2 kilowatt (KW) on-grid rooftop systems across over 40,000 households in Andhra Pradesh, it said. The 77 megawatt (MW) project marks a rapid expansion for Crompton in the solar rooftop market, following its entry into the sector just two months ago. Crompton’s involvement in the project includes comprehensive support through trained personnel and a responsive service network to ensure efficient performance across all installations. The initiative aims to provide households with reliable and sustainable solar solutions, aligning with India’s renewable energy goals.
RRECL revokes rule allowing firms to block sites sans possession of land
24 October: Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd (RRECL) has withdrawn its earlier decision to reserve land for wind power developers, a move that aims to prevent the forced or distress sale of farmers' land and to restore fair competition in the sector. In August last year, the corporation approved the "freezing" of land coordinates for 11 wind and hybrid (wind-solar) projects for six months. This effectively granted companies priority rights over land they neither owned nor possessed. The land freezing, executed through RRECL’s approval process, was carried out without the consent of local farmers. In September this year, RRECL reviewed all frozen sites and ordered the cancellation of those showing "no progress or investment" within the stipulated period.
Chandigarh meets record power demand with renewable energy
22 October: In a historic milestone, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) illuminated City Beautiful with clean and sustainable energy this Diwali. During the festive period, CPDL met 97 percent of Chandigarh’s household electricity demand through non-fossil fuel sources, including nearly 90 percent from green renewable energy. For the first time in the city’s history, around 2.5 lakh consumers were powered mainly by renewable sources such as hydro, solar, and wind energy, with a small contribution from nuclear energy sources. This achievement marks a significant step towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship, reaffirming CPDL’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.
India adds 15-25 GW of renewable capacity annually: MNRE
22 October: India continues to add 15-25 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity annually, maintaining one of the fastest growth rates globally, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). However, global challenges like supply chain issues, price fluctuations, and tighter financing have slightly delayed project timelines. The focus of India’s renewable sector is shifting from expansion to system integration, including grid management, energy storage, and market reforms. With a goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, India’s renewable energy sector is undergoing a transformative phase. This includes deeper system reforms to ensure stability and resilience. Over 40 GW of awarded renewable projects are currently in advanced stages of securing power purchase agreements (PPAs), power supply agreements (PSAs), or transmission connectivity, highlighting the sector’s strong pipeline of committed investments. This year, Central Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) have conducted bids for 5.6 GW, while State agencies have held bids for 3.5 MW. Additionally, Commercial and Industrial consumers are expected to add around 6 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025.
Libya’s NOC announces new oil discovery in Ghadames basin
4 November: Libya’s Oil National Corporation (NOC) announced a new oil discovery in well H1-NC4 by its subsidiary Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO) in the Ghadames oil basin. The Ghadames basin is located in northwestern Libya, near the Libyan-Algerian border. The company’s oil production had reached up to 310,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the end of October. The corporation announced another oil discovery in the Sirte Basin through Austrian oil, gas and chemicals group OMV, with production testing showing more than 4,200 bpd of oil and over 2.6 million cubic feet of gas per day.
Saudi Aramco third-quarter profit slips on lower crude prices
4 November: Saudi Arabia’s Aramco the world’s top oil exporter, reported a 2.3 percent fall in quarterly profit, citing a drop in crude and product prices, but its performance improved from the previous quarter as oil production rose. The company’s total hydrocarbon production was 13.27 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the third quarter, compared to 12.8 million boepd the previous quarter.
US regulator rejects Colonial Pipeline’s plan to change northeast gasoline delivery
3 November: The US (United States) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a Colonial Pipeline proposal to change the way it delivers gasoline from the Gulf Coast to consumers in the Northeast, noting the company failed to show the proposal was just and reasonable. Colonial in March filed a tariff update seeking regulatory approval to end overlapping shipments of different gasoline grades, while also ending shipments of so-called "Grade 5" gasoline sold in some northeastern states during the winter. The company also wanted to modify delivery specifications. A group of Colonial shippers, including oil majors Exxon Mobile and BP, had protested the changes, arguing they would harm their businesses by shifting blending margins away from them to Colonial. Shippers had also argued the changes would harm consumers by raising fuel prices at the pumps.
OPEC+ pauses oil output hikes beyond December amid glut fears
2 November: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus (OPEC+) agreed a small oil output increase for December and a pause in increases in the first quarter of next year as the producers' group moderates plans to regain market share due to rising fears of a supply glut. OPEC+ has raised output targets by around 2.9 million barrels per day - or around 2.7 percent of global supply - since April, but slowed the pace from October amid predictions of a looming oversupply. New Western sanctions on OPEC+ member Russia are adding to challenges in the strategy, as Moscow may struggle to further raise output after the US (United States) and Britain imposed new measures on top producers Rosneft and Lukoil.
Pakistan awards first offshore oil exploration blocks for decades
31 October: Pakistan said it has awarded 23 offshore exploration blocks to four consortiums led by local energy companies, some partnered with foreign firms including Turkey’s national oil company TPAO. In Pakistan’s first such bidding round in nearly two decades, its energy ministry said that bids were awarded for 23 of 40 offshore blocks offered, covering around 53,500 square kilometres. The energy ministry listed Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) and MariEnergies, along with privately-owned Prime Energy, which is backed by Pakistan’s Hub Power Company (Hubco), among the successful bidders.
Surplus capacity limits impact of sanctions on oil prices: IEA
28 October: Sanctions on oil-exporting countries could push up crude prices but the effect will be limited because of surplus capacity, the International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol said. Global oil prices jumped more than 7 percent with Brent futures trading at US$65 per barrel after US (United States) President Donald Trump hit Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil with sanctions to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war. While sanctions could push prices upward, the effect is limited with oil prices holding at around US$60 due to a huge amount of surplus capacity, Birol said.
Iraq boosting oil exports, no impact from oilfield fire: Oil Minister
27 October: Iraq’s total oil exports stand at 3.6 million barrels per day (bpd), Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said, adding that a fire at Iraq’s Zubair oilfield. Exports were proceeding normally and remained uninterrupted, Abdel-Ghani said, with exports from Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region at 195,000 bpd and sometimes as high as 200,000 bpd after northern shipments resumed following a deal in late September. Iraq reported total oil exports of about 3.4 million bpd last month. Separately, Abdel-Ghani said Iraq was in talks over the size of its OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) quota within its capacity of 5.5 million bpd. OPEC's biggest overproducer submitted plans in April to further cut output to make up for pumping more than agreed quotas. Abdel-Ghani said Iraq was committed to its current OPEC quota of 4.4 million bpd.
OPEC production confusion should put floor under oil prices
22 October: Global oil prices are signalling that the market is tipping into a protracted period of oversupply, but the huge disparity in forecasts for OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)’s production will likely limit the selloff. Prompt Brent oil prices traded near US$61 a barrel, the lowest since May. But, just as importantly, futures contracts for February delivery have started trading at a pronounced discount to future prices. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has for months warned that there will be a severe oil glut in 2025 and 2026, pointing to the ramp-up in production around the world, particularly from members of the OPEC+ alliance.
Saudi Arabia crude exports rise to six-month high in August
22 October: Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports in August rose to their highest level in six months, data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed. Crude exports increased to 6.407 million barrels per day (bpd) from 5.994 million bpd in July, marking their highest level since February 2025. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, recorded crude output of 9.722 million bpd in August, up from 9.201 million bpd in July. Refinery crude throughput in the kingdom fell to 2.902 million bpd in August, a 2.6 percent decline from July’s 2.978 million bpd, JODI data revealed, while direct crude burning decreased slightly by 1,000 bpd to 607,000 bpd.
Pakistan cancels Eni LNG cargoes, seeks to renegotiate Qatar supplies
4 November: Pakistan has struck a deal to cancel 21 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes under its long-term contract with Italy’s Eni as part of a plan to curb excess imports that have flooded its gas network, according to an official document and two sources. The document from Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) to the country’s energy ministry dated 22 October said 11 cargoes planned for 2026 and 10 for 2027 would be cancelled at the request of gas distributor SNGPL. PLL’s move marks one of Pakistan's most significant steps yet to rein in LNG purchases as rising renewable generation and lower industrial demand leave it with surplus imported gas. Eni signed a long-term LNG supply deal with PLL in 2017, committing to deliver one cargo per month until 2032, with the option to divert shipments to other destinations. The first source, and a third, said that Pakistan was in talks with Qatar about gas supplies from the Gulf state, with options including deferring some cargoes or reselling them under existing contract clauses. Pakistan’s long-term LNG supply deals with Qatar and Eni together cover around 120 cargoes a year, including on average nine a month from two Qatari contracts and one from Eni. But Pakistan’s LNG imports have fallen sharply this year as demand from power producers dropped amid higher solar and hydropower output.
New US$400 mn Israel-Cyprus gas pipeline awaiting government approvals: Energean CEO
4 November: A $400 million pipeline to transport natural gas from Israel to Cyprus is awaiting government approval from both countries and Israel has expressed support, the head of Eastern Mediterranean focused gas producer Energean. Energean signed a letter of intent with leading Cypriot industrial and energy group Cyfield for the potential supply of natural gas from Israel to Cyfield’s planned power plant via the new pipeline, Energean chief executive officer (CEO) Mathios Rigas said. Gas could flow through the pipeline within 12 months of the government approvals being granted, Rigas said. The project, which would cost US$400 million, could be fully funded by Energean, but partners may also be brought in the future, Rigas said. The company is evaluating opportunities in West Africa, Rigas said. Energean is waiting on government approvals for another gas supply deal from Israel to Egypt, which Israel has not yet approved. Some of the gas would be transported via the planned Nitzana pipeline, which the company had signed a 15-year transmission agreement for. The pipeline would ease an energy crisis in Egypt, which has spent billions of dollars on importing liquefied natural gas and is part of a concerted effort to boost Israeli gas exports to the Arab world’s most populous nation. The company in October signed a 15-year transmission agreement as part of US$4 billion worth of Israeli gas offtake contracts.
ConocoPhillips begins natural gas drilling campaign offshore eastern Australia
3 November: US (United States) independent ConocoPhillips began drilling its first exploration well as part of larger campaign searching for natural gas offshore eastern Australia, 3D Energi, its junior partner in the project, said. Work began over the weekend on the Essington-1 well, which will take 32 days to drill down to 2,650 metres (8,694 feet), 3D Energi said. The well is the first in the Otway Exploration Drilling Program to develop new gas for Australia’s eastern domestic market, the company said. Eastern and southern Australia are facing supply shortfalls before the end of the decade, causing tension between gas exporters and domestic manufacturers.
US becomes first country to export 10 mmt of LNG in single month
3 November: The United States (US) has become the first country to export 10 million metric tonnes (mmt) of LNG (liquefied natural gas) in a single month, LSEG data showed. The US exported a record 10.1 mmt of the liquid fuel in October, up from a revised figure of 9.1 mmt in September, LSEG data showed. Already the world’s largest LNG exporter, the U.S. has been ramping up sales with four record-setting months in 2025. The Plaquemines facility, located in Louisiana, sold 2.2 mmt last month, surpassing its previous high of 1.6 mmt in September, data showed. Cheniere’s Corpus Christi export facility exported 1.6 mmt, also a record for the plant. With Sabine Pass exporting 2.6 mmt in October, the company sold a combined 4.2 mmt, or 42 percent of all of the LNG exported by the US.
Russia’s January-October LNG exports down 3.4 percent, jump 21 percent in October
1 November: Russia’s exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in January-October fell by 3.4 percent from a year earlier to 25.2 million metric tonnes (mmt), while jumping 21 percent to record levels in October amid the launch of supplies from Arctic LNG 2, LSEG data showed. LNG exports from Russia have been restrained by US (United States) sanctions over Ukraine, notably against the new Arctic LNG 2 plant, which have significantly limited the use of the tanker fleet for fuel transportation. Russian LNG shipments in October increased by 21 percent to 3.4 mmt a year earlier, a monthly high, and growing by almost 27 percent from the previous month. LNG exports from Russia to Europe in the first ten months of this year fell by 17.9 percent year on year to 11 mmt. In October alone, exports via the same route contracted by 21 percent to 0.79 compared to the same month in the previous year.
Mozambique may dispute TotalEnergies proposals on LNG project
31 October: Mozambique’s government may have counter-arguments to the updated budget and schedule proposed by TotalEnergies for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project it is leading in the Southern African country, President Daniel Chapo said. Mozambique LNG consortium estimated its costs had risen by US$4.5 billion in the four years the project has been on hold because of an Islamist militant attack in 2021. TotalEnergies and its partners want the development and production period extended by 10 years as partial compensation. The LNG project is 40 percent complete, although insurgent attacks have shown little sign of abating despite Mozambique signing a new security pact with Rwanda, whose military has helped secure the area where the plant is being developed.
Shell, Total flag uncertainty in timing of new global LNG supply
30 October: Shell and TotalEnergies, the world’s two largest listed LNG (liquefied natural gas) traders, said that the exact timing of new LNG projects starting up around the world is in flux, which could create uncertainty about long-term supply. New LNG projects are seeing delays as they face rising construction costs due to tariffs, with US (United States) LNG exporters seeking to renegotiate deals to cover those costs, while some big LNG projects are being delayed due to security concerns, for example in Mozambique. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects around 184 million metric tonnes per year of added global net supply of LNG by 2030.
Philippines unlikely to add new LNG terminal near-term on excess capacity
28 October: The Philippines is unlikely to add new liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals this decade as its existing facilities are significantly underutilized, its energy secretary Sharon Garin said. The government is not prioritising additional facilities in Luzon, where both existing terminals are located, but is instead exploring options to expand LNG infrastructure to other regions. The Philippines' geography makes pipeline connections between islands challenging, creating interest in alternative solutions such as small-scale LNG power plants with different logistics arrangements. Garin said LNG terminal development was unregulated in the Philippines, meaning private companies can proceed with projects if market conditions justify investment. The country imported an estimated 0.6 million tonnes (MT) of LNG in 2023, its first year as an LNG importer, and it has since progressively increased imports and dependence on gas for power generation, government and analytics firm Kpler data showed. So far this year, it has imported 1.58 MT of LNG via its two existing import terminals, according to Kpler. One of the country’s LNG buyers said purchases of the fuel should be approached on a national basis, as its current import volumes are small.
UK’s Energean inks 15-year transmission deal for Israeli gas pipeline
24 October: British gas producer Energean it had signed a 15-year transmission agreement for Israel’s planned Nitzana pipeline to Egypt, as part of its broader US$4 billion worth of Israeli gas offtake contracts. The deal with state-owned pipeline operator Israel Natural Gas Lines covers the transmission of up to 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, Energean said, with options for extension and early termination. The Nitzana pipeline will run from Ramat Hovav in southern Israel to the Egyptian border near Nitzana and is expected to be operational within three years, pending transmission agreements from all parties involved, Energean said. The pipeline would ease an energy crisis in Egypt, which has spent billions of dollars on importing liquefied natural gas and is part of a concerted effort to boost Israeli gas exports to the Arab world’s most populous nation. It is expected to transport around 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, bringing Israel’s total export capacity to Egypt to more than 2.2 billion cubic feet per day.
US energy company EQT expects 2026 natural gas production to remain in line with 2025 exit rate
22 October: US (United States)-based energy company EQT Corporation, said it expects to maintain natural gas production in 2026 at levels consistent with its 2025 exit rate, following lower sales volumes forecast for the current quarter. The company expects total sales volume of 550 to 600 billion cubic feet equivalent (bcfe) in the fourth quarter, lower than 634 bcfe in the third quarter. The company said that it has made significant progress with the various in-basin power projects announced in the last quarter and is seeing additional opportunities to provide natural gas supply and infrastructure to service new load growth in Appalachia.
EU approves 19th package of Russian sanctions including LNG ban
22 October: EU (European Union) countries approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, the Danish rotating presidency of the EU said. The LNG ban will take effect in two stages: short-term contracts will end after six months and long-term contracts from 1 January 2027. The full ban comes a year earlier than the Commission’s proposed roadmap to end the bloc’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Malaysia bets on mix of solar and gas as it shifts away from coal
29 October: Malaysia will focus on a mix of solar and gas-fired power generation as it shifts away from coal, the chief executive of state utility Tenaga Nasional, said. The Southeast Asian nation of over 35 million people has been cranking up its coal-fired power fleet to keep electricity costs low, but plans to boost the use of natural gas and solar - the former being more flexible but the latter cheaper. Malaysia is expected to add 6-8 gigawatt (GW) of gas-fired capacity and more than double its renewable capacity of 9 GW as it looks to cut dependence on coal from 2029. Coal currently accounts for 43 percent of Malaysia’s annual power output, while gas makes up about 37 percent and solar over 2 percent, energy think-tank Ember data shows.
Morocco plans coal power phase-out by 2040
23 October: Morocco plans to abandon coal power entirely by 2040 if it secures international climate finance, the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) said. Morocco joined the international PPCA, a group of around 60 governments seeking to phase out coal power, in 2023, in a bid to progress natural gas and renewable energy projects. Even without international support, Morocco would still aim to phase out coal by the 2040s, the PPCA said. As of 2024, coal accounted for 59.3 percent of Morocco’s electricity mix, down from 70 percent in 2022, according to official figures. Morocco is targeting 52 percent of installed capacity to come from renewables by 2030, up from 45 percent currently.
Kabul residents face soaring firewood and coal prices ahead of winter
23 October: As winter approaches, a number of Kabul residents have expressed concern over the rising prices of firewood and coal in local markets. Residents said that despite the weather still being relatively warm, the prices of fuel have already increased, creating serious difficulties for low-income families. Meanwhile, firewood and coal sellers in the capital have confirmed the price hike, attributing it to rising transportation costs, taxes, and fuel prices.
US utility Xcel Energy ramps up capital plan on robust power demand
30 October: US (United States) utility Xcel Energy ramped up its capital investment plan to US$60 billion for the next five years to cater to increased power demand and make required investments to strengthen its transmission and distribution systems. Utilities have been adding billions of dollars to their capital expenditure budgets as they field massive requests for new power capacity from data centers, which aim to support complex AI-related tasks.
German energy regulator signals concessions on grid reform
29 October: Germany's grid regulator is moving closer to meeting some of the demands of energy operators in a reform of infrastructure spending returns for the five years from 2028/2029 being finalised this year. Bundesnetzagentur regulator had eased efficiency requirements and that grid firms would be better able to account for interest on debt capital. The reform process, known as NEST - short for Netze.Effizient.Sicher.Transformiert - is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will apply to electricity grids from 2029 and gas networks from 2028. Power grid operators such as Amprion have said that current equity-return rates are too low to finance the massive expansion needed for the energy transition to renewables. Networks must be expanded and strengthened to handle rising power demand from AI-driven data centres, as well as the electrification of heating and transport.
American Electric Power raises capital spending plan to meet data center power demand
29 October: American Electric Power stepped up its five-year capital plan to US$72 billion, from US$54 billion previously, to meet unprecedented power requirements driven by large-load customers such as data centers and industrials. US (United States) utilities are ramping up capital expenditure budgets as they address growing demand for power capacity from major technology companies that are setting up data centers to support complex AI-related tasks. AEP said it had reached service agreements to provide 28 gigawatt (GW) of load additions by 2030, up 4 GW since July, and an additional 190 GW of load requests at various stages of development. The company, which has about 5.6 million customers in 11 states and possesses the largest electric transmission system in the US, said its peak system demand is expected to surge to 65 GW by 2030, up from a current peak of 37 GW.
Singapore power demand seen accelerating in next decade
27 October: Singapore’s expansion in advanced manufacturing, technology and electrification of vehicles will accelerate growth in power demand over the next decade, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) CEO (chief executive officer) Puah Kok Keong said. Electricity consumption will grow between 2 percent and 5 percent through to 2035, CEO said, compared with an average growth of 1.9 percent over the 10 years ending 2024, energy think-tank Ember data showed. Power usage by data centres and rising air conditioning demand in Singapore are driving faster growth in power use compared with regional neighbours Australia and Japan, despite being among the world’s highest per-capita energy users. Singapore is targeting the import of about six gigawatts of low-carbon electricity by 2035, which it expects to account for around one-third of power by then. The country currently imports about 1 percent of its low-carbon power from Malaysia.
Google backs US gas power plant with carbon capture for Midwest data centers
23 October: Google has entered into the first corporate agreement to buy electricity from a US (United States) power plant using carbon capture and storage in a deal to help fuel its data centers in the country’s Midwest region, the technology company said. Big Tech’s plans to expand technologies like generative artificial intelligence, which will require vast amounts of electricity, have butted up against the realities of a US power grid running short on supplies. Google’s latest power offtake agreement involves a 400 megawatt (MW) power plant in Decatur, Illinois, which will be developed by privately held Low Carbon Infrastructure.
Australia to offer three hours free solar per day to millions
4 November: Australia will offer at least three hours of free solar power every day to households including those without solar panels under an energy-saving programme that is expected to go live in 2026, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said. The Solar Sharer programme will begin in the states of New South Wales and South Australia as well as southeast Queensland before it is expanded elsewhere. Users will get the free solar power when generation capacity is highest in the middle of the day. About four million households in Australia have rooftop solar panels on their homes and peak time sunny afternoons can supply so much power that electricity prices swing into the negative, while peak demand is often several hours later, putting strain on the grid. Households, including apartment dwellers, will be able to access the programme even without their own solar panels. In 2022, Bowen set a target of 82 percent renewable electricity by 2030 in addition to the legislated target of a 43 percent reduction in emissions over the levels in 2005.
China’s renewable curtailment to present revenue risks in next decade
3 November: Curtailment of renewable energy flows to balance China’s grid at times of high supply or low demand will present risks to investor revenue over the next 10 years, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a new report. Solar curtailment rates are forecast to average more than 5 percent in 21 provinces over the next 10 years, Wood Mackenzie forecast. China has a national-level limit of 10 percent curtailment for renewables, a figure it relaxed last year from 5 percent previously as it became harder to incorporate rising amounts of renewable energy supply into the grid.
First Solar sales top estimates, company to open another US factory
30 October: First Solar, the biggest US (United States)-based solar panel maker, beat expectations for third-quarter sales, driven by robust demand for its products, sending its shares up more than 5 percent in extended trading. Solar-generated electricity is one of the fastest-growing segments of the US energy industry, driven by strong demand from corporations and governments to adopt cleaner sources of power and combat climate change. First Solar said it would establish a new 3.7 gigawatt (GW) manufacturing facility in the US, with production expected to start at the end of 2026 and ramp up through the first half of 2027. The factory will finish products started at the company’s overseas facilities, helping First Solar products achieve President Donald Trump's goal of reducing US reliance on foreign-made goods.
Singapore’s Tuas Power to run coal plant on 100 percent biomass by 2028
30 October: Singapore’s Tuas Power is targeting operation of its 133 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant fully on biomass by 2028, the company said. Tuas Power, which has a generating capacity of 2,670 MW and accounts for a fifth of the city state's electricity demand, is also exploring clean energy imports and renewable projects to reduce the emissions intensity of its operations, it said. The combined cycle plant at the Tembusu Multi-utilities complex currently operates at a coal-to-biomass ratio of 70:30, it said.
Saudi awards five 4.5 GW renewable energy projects at investments of over US$2 bn
27 October: Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) awarded five renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 4.5 gigawatt (GW) and involving investments of over 9 billion riyals (US$2.40 billion). The projects were awarded to UAE’s leading renewable energy company, Masdar, TotalEnergies, French utility EDF, among others.
Europe’s offshore wind sector faces dilemma over China’s grip on sector
23 October: European governments seeking to expand offshore wind power are increasingly wary of Chinese companies’ involvement. Offshore wind is a cornerstone of northern Europe’s clean energy strategy, offering a reliable alternative for more windy and less sunny countries striving to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. However, wind technology also relies on a foreign power, given China's central role in the wind power supply chain from rare earth magnets to turbines and blades. Nowhere more so than in Britain, which aims to triple its offshore wind generation by 2030 to between 43 and 50 gigawatt (GW) from around 15 GW. Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Ming Yang Smart Energy announced plans to invest up to US$2 billion in a plant in Scotland, just a month after Britain’s largest electricity supplier Octopus Energy signed an agreement with Ming Yang to explore opportunities to develop 6 GW of wind.
Nuclear power at heart of new Japan PM’s energy policy
22 October: Japan’s Prime Minister (PM) Sanae Takaichi is expected to push for the accelerated revival of nuclear power to tackle inflation, a source of public discontent, with reactor restarts key to reducing costly fuel imports. Takaichi has appointed Ryosei Akazawa, who was Japan’s point person in its recent tariff deal with the US (United States), as trade and industry minister - a portfolio that includes energy - signalling a willingness to engage with Washington, including on liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases, analysts said. Before the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Japan operated 54 nuclear reactors. Of the 33 that remain operable, 14 have been restarted - a process that takes years. Securing stable new power supply is increasingly urgent as demand is poised to rise from data centre expansion. Takaichi, an advocate of nuclear power including next-generation fusion energy, has also voiced support for perovskite solar cells - technologies Japan can potentially export - and opposed massive solar projects given their reliance on panels imported from China and the environmental impact.
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