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EU changes hydrogen project auction rules to limit Chinese presence

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The European Union has announced changes to its rules governing hydrogen grant auctions to limit dependence on China for renewable energy components. This move comes as part of the EU’s broader efforts to prevent over-reliance on Beijing, which dominates sectors such as solar power and electric vehicles. The EU Hydrogen Bank’s next renewable hydrogen auction, set for December 3, will offer up to EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.34 billion) in grants, but new rules will…

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Russia seeks to counter West’s climate agenda with gas, nuclear power

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Russia plans to present its own climate-related proposals, differing from Western approaches, ahead of the COP29 U.N. climate summit in Azerbaijan this November, according to Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin. Amid strained relations with the West, Russia is crafting a new energy strategy through to 2050, focusing on measures that do not hinder its development potential. Sorokin highlighted energy efficiency as a key method for reducing emissions, noting that Russia’s energy-saving potential is 20-30%. He…

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Germany could save millions in fuel costs with more energy storage: Ember

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According to a report by energy think tank Ember, Germany could have avoided nearly €2.5 million in natural gas imports in June 2024 alone if it had 2GW more battery storage – a 20% increase from current levels. The additional battery capacity would have allowed for shifting midday solar power to the evening, displacing 36 GWh of fossil fuel power. Energy storage technologies are critical for capturing electricity generated from intermittent sources like solar and…

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Uganda commissions 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Project

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On Thursday, 27 September, Uganda commissioned the Karuma Hydropower Project (KHP), a 600 MW hydropower plant on the River Nile. The $1.7 billion facility, constructed by China’s Sinohydro Corporation, is Uganda’s largest power generation project to date. China financed the entire project, with Exim Bank providing a $1.4 billion loan and the Chinese government covering the remaining costs. The Karuma plant will boost Uganda’s total generation capacity to over 2GW. Along with the hydropower plant,…

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Nigeria installs advanced SCADA systems for power grid management

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The Nigerian government has announced the installation of advanced supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to transform the management of the national power grid. Funded by the World Bank, this initiative is part of the Nigerian electricity transmission access project aimed at upgrading the country’s energy infrastructure. The new SCADA systems enable real-time monitoring and control, improving response to power outages and load management. Installed at over 100 substations, including Lagos’ Apapa substation, and supported…

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Pupuk Indonesia to procure green hydrogen from PLN and ACWA

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PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) has signed a Head of Key Terms (HoT) agreement with ACWA Power, PLN Energi Primer Indonesia, and PLN Indonesia Power to secure green hydrogen for scaling up its green ammonia production. This collaboration, which began last year, aims to ensure a steady supply of green hydrogen, the key raw material for producing green ammonia, which Pupuk Indonesia will use to manufacture urea and NPK fertilizers. A joint venture between ACWA Power…

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HIF Global announces green methanol project in Brazil

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HIF Global, a leading green fuels company, has unveiled plans to produce up to 800,000 tons of green methanol annually in Brazil. This marks the company’s first project of its kind in the country. HIF Global has signed a land reservation contract with the Port of Açu in Rio de Janeiro to develop the facility, with the port offering support for various aspects of project development. The Port of Açu, a key logistics and industrial…

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Latvia’s TSO signs contracts to connect over 1,100 MW RES

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Latvia’s transmission system operator, Augstsprieguma Tīkls (AST), has signed contracts with 12 developers to connect more than 1,100 MW of renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power plants, to the transmission network. This represents a capacity increase of more than 150% compared to the current total of 690 MW of solar and wind power plants connected to Latvia’s grid as of September 2024. By the end of 2024, AST plans to finalize connection agreements…

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Grenergy acquires 1 GW solar capacity from Repsol and Ibereólica

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Grenergy has acquired 100% of a 1 GW solar capacity and a 1 GW energised line from Repsol and Ibereólica, bolstering the expansion of its Oasis de Atacama project. The company is investing $128 million in the deal, which will increase battery storage capacity from 4.1 GWh to 11 GWh and double the solar PV generation capacity from 1 GW to 2 GW. The acquisition includes a 77 MW solar project and 923 MW of…

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Russian ‘shadow fleet’ poses environmental risk in Baltic Sea, warns Greenpeace

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A recent Greenpeace report warns of the significant risk posed by Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of ageing tankers transporting crude oil, which bypass international sanctions. The report highlights the environmental threat of a potential oil spill in the Baltic Sea, particularly along the German coastline near Rostock, Lübeck, and Kiel. Greenpeace experts analysed four years of vessel movement data from tankers leaving Russian Baltic ports, including Primorsk, St. Petersburg, Ust-Luga, and Vysotsk. With Russia increasing…