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Ukraine’s energy system braces for severe winter amid increased Russian attacks, IEA warns

Global, News

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure faces its toughest challenge yet as winter approaches, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Russian missile and drone attacks have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s generation and transmission assets, causing more sustained damage than in previous phases of the war. The report, titled Ukraine’s Energy Security and the Coming Winter, highlights the extensive damage and warns of a potential 6GW energy shortfall during peak demand, despite efforts to restore…

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DTEK to invest €140 million in 200 MW energy storage systems across Ukraine

Global, News

DTEK plans to establish a series of energy storage systems (ESS) across Ukraine, with a total capacity of 200 MW, aimed at enhancing the nation’s green and secure energy infrastructure. The project will involve a €140 million investment and is expected to be operational by September 2025. These ESS will provide ancillary services to Ukrenergo, the national Transmission System Operator. In August 2024, DTEK won a competitive auction to supply automatic frequency restoration reserves to…

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Ukraine enforces power cuts due to generation shortfall amid Russian attacks and heatwave

Global, News

Ukraine’s energy ministry and power grid operator Ukrenergo announced power cuts on 19 August due to a power generation shortfall caused by Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure and increased consumption driven by record hot weather. Russian air strikes have caused blackouts in seven regions this year, forcing Kyiv to begin importing electricity from the European Union (EU). The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing heatwaves exceeding 30°C and repairs to key nuclear power…

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Westinghouse and Hyundai sign contract for reactors in Bulgaria

Global, News

A consortium of Westinghouse Electric Company and South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction has secured an engineering services contract with Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild.  This contract advances the project beyond the front-end engineering and design phase towards the construction of two AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Kozloduy site. The AP1000, a Generation III+ reactor known for its passive safety systems and modular design, will play a central role in Bulgaria’s energy diversification and security efforts.  The…

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World Nuclear Performance 2024

Analysis, Features

In a world grappling with the urgency of climate goals and clean energy transitions, the World Nuclear Performance Report 2024, produced by the World Nuclear Association, presents a compelling narrative on the global nuclear industry’s role in reducing emissions and enhancing energy security. Through facts, case studies, and country-specific insights, the report highlights nuclear energy’s capacity to deliver dependable, carbon-free power and keep pace with rising global electricity demands. Nuclear’s Vital Statistics: Performance on a…

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UK’s Energy Transition: Milestones, Innovations, and Future Pathways Towards Net-Zero

Analysis, Features

The United Kingdom’s energy sector has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, reaching a notable milestone just a few weeks ago. As of October 2024, the UK has officially closed its last coal-fired power plant, marking the end of a 142-year era of coal power generation. This milestone reflects the UK’s commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Institutional structureThe United Kingdom’s energy sector is governed by…

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Westinghouse extends AP1000 reactors contract in Bulgaria

Global, News

Westinghouse Electric has extended its front-end engineering and design contract with Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild for the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP).   The partnership, which began in June 2023, focuses on evaluating Kozloduy’s infrastructure for deploying the AP1000 reactors. Following this phase, the project will move to engineering services, including design, licensing, training, project management, and site planning in preparation for construction. In early 2024, Westinghouse delivered the first…

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Vestas and Fortum settle arbitration over Russian wind energy projects

Global, News

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas and Nordic energy company Fortum have settled their arbitration dispute regarding wind energy projects in Russia. Both parties agreed to drop all past, present, and future claims, with the settlement terms remaining confidential. The dispute began in 2022 when Fortum initiated arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm. Fortum sought more than $218 million (€200 million) in compensation from Vestas for payments made on wind projects in Russia…

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Russia files lawsuit against energy giant Shell

Global, News

A Russian court document revealed that the prosecutor general of Russia has filed a lawsuit against eight Shell units in Moscow’s arbitration court. The case involves Gazprom, the Russian Energy Ministry, regulators from Sakhalin Island, and the prosecutor general’s office. Shell previously held significant stakes in Russian energy projects, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant on Sakhalin Island operated by Gazprom. However, after the Ukraine invasion, Shell withdrew from all Russian projects, including the…

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Global perspectives on rooftop solar energy: Leading economies and strategies

Analysis, Features

The global energy transition is gaining momentum, and rooftop solar (RTS) systems are playing a significant role in addressing the world’s growing energy demand. With projections suggesting a 75% increase in global electricity demand by 2050 (IEA 2022), geopolitical disruptions, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, have further underscored the need for a shift toward renewable energy (RE) sources. Solar photovoltaics (PV) in particular, including distributed solar technologies, are well-positioned to…