Author: Graham Foster

Mexico is currently exploring the possibility of increasing fracking activities as concerns grow over its reliance on natural gas from the United States. According to four executives involved in discussions, the Mexican government is in talks with private sector companies regarding this potential shift. Mexico depends on the U.S. for around 70% of its gas supply, making it vulnerable to any drastic changes in U.S. policies. The consideration of fracking marks a significant shift from previous policies in President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party, which has traditionally been cautious about the practice due to environmental concerns. As a former climate scientist, Sheinbaum…

The battery materials industry, crucial for electric vehicle (EV) production, is gearing up for potential consolidation amid fierce competition from China, according to Bart Sap, head of Umicore, a major Belgian company in this sector. Umicore specializes in producing materials for cathodes, which are key components of batteries. Sap expressed his intent to seek partnerships and acquisition opportunities to recover value in their ailing battery business. “We are exploring all possible angles to bring back value, as we’ve been through a tough phase recently,” he shared. The company has experienced a fall in stock value, with shares plummeting more than…

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is being urged to cut down the planned return on equity and reject certain incentives for the Valley Link transmission project, which has an estimated cost of $3 billion. This request comes from a recent filing by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel. Valley Link consists of two major 765-kV transmission lines and is part of the latest Regional Transmission Expansion Plan approved by PJM Interconnection’s board earlier this year. The project aims to commence operations in December 2029. It is being developed by Valley Link Transmission, a collaboration involving major energy companies: Transource…

The world is urged to quickly invest in uranium mining to tackle the rising demand for nuclear energy. This call comes from a recent report by the Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency, which emphasizes the growing interest in nuclear power. According to their biennial Red Book report, the current uranium resources may be depleted by the 2080s if nuclear capacity continues to increase until 2050 and remains high. The report suggests that while there are enough uranium resources to support future growth, significant investments in new mining and processing techniques are necessary to meet this demand. The…

Donald Trump’s latest tariffs are likely to significantly impact the renewable energy sector, risking higher costs, strained supply chains, and undermining the U.S.’s goal to take the lead in artificial intelligence, according to industry leaders. The new tariffs, which range from 10% to 49% on electrical parts, battery storage systems, and other equipment from China, Southeast Asia, and Europe, come as an added blow to an industry that is already facing challenges from Trump’s favoring of fossil fuels and his reluctance towards clean energy initiatives. Industry executives have cautioned that these tariffs will ultimately lead to increased consumer electricity bills.…

Greenpeace is considering a new legal challenge regarding two planned oil and gas fields in the UK, following the government’s indication of support for these projects. This comes after a court previously revoked consent for the developments due to concerns about their climate impact. The environmental group has alerted the energy department that remarks made by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor may suggest bias in any future decision regarding the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects. Greenpeace asserts that any minister contemplating the applications must remain open to the possibility that these projects might not proceed due to their emissions. This…

Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors are set to construct a large-scale gas-fired power generation facility in Pennsylvania. This development aims to support a new data center campus and could generate up to 4.5 GW of energy. The announcement came on Wednesday. The ambitious $10 billion project will take place on the grounds of the former 1,884-MW coal-fired Homer City power plant, which was closed in mid-2023. The site, covering 3,200 acres and located approximately 50 miles east of Pittsburgh, is already linked to the PJM Interconnection and New York Independent System Operator grids, connecting with FirstEnergy Pennsylvania…

Woodside Energy, Australia’s leading energy firm, has taken a significant step in the U.S. market by securing a $5.7 billion investment from a private equity company based in New York. This funding will support a major liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana. The firm Stonepeak, which focuses on infrastructure investments, plans to take a 40% share in the Louisiana LNG project, formerly known as Driftwood. This development requires the construction of 150 kilometers of pipelines and aims to produce 27.6 million tonnes of natural gas each year. While Woodside is keen on bringing in additional equity partners for this project,…

Bernard Fontana is stepping into a challenging role as the new CEO of France’s state-owned electricity company, EDF. He was appointed to replace Luc Rémont, who was dismissed after just over two years due to disagreements with the government. Rémont’s vision of running EDF as a profit-oriented entity clashed with the French state’s desire to provide affordable power for industries and develop new nuclear facilities. Fontana, who previously led EDF’s engineering branch, Framatome, now faces the daunting task of mending the relationship with the French government, the company’s sole shareholder. His responsibilities will include securing energy supply contracts with major…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 16 federal sites as potential locations for new data centers and energy resources. On Thursday, the DOE released a request for information (RFI) inviting feedback from stakeholders, including grid operators, regarding these upcoming projects, which could be operational in less than two years. “The race to lead in artificial intelligence is like a new Manhattan Project. With President Trump’s leadership and the innovation from our National Labs, the U.S. can win this race,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. He added that the DOE is taking crucial steps to harness domestic resources to…