Author: Graham Foster

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has reduced its budget for transmission development by $1.3 billion in its 2024-2025 transmission plan compared to last year. This shift is due to a stronger focus on projects that enhance reliability, rather than those driven by policy, like connecting offshore wind farms. According to CAISO’s report, the plan reflects an increase in peak demand growth, from 0.99% to 1.53%. Specifically, in the Greater Bay Area, peak load forecasts have risen significantly, indicating a need for more robust infrastructure to meet expected demand increases. The new transmission plan aims to support the connection of…

Cuba is open to discussions with the United States without any preconditions, as the island faces a severe energy crisis. President Miguel Díaz-Canel made this announcement during a televised news conference while addressing concerns related to U.S. actions and policies that threaten Cuba’s energy supply. Díaz-Canel asserted the country’s readiness to engage in dialogues on any topic, emphasizing the need for mutual respect regarding sovereignty and self-determination. However, he firmly stated that any interference in Cuba’s internal matters would be unacceptable. His comments followed a statement from a Cuban deputy foreign minister, who disclosed that initial communications had been initiated…

Key Updates in the Energy Sector Welcome to this edition of Energy Source from London. A major development in the mining industry is under close observation as Glencore and Rio Tinto engage in crucial discussions over their proposed merger, which could establish the largest mining company worldwide. However, substantial disagreements regarding the deal’s valuation and governance are jeopardizing its success. With an imminent deadline causing urgency, Rio Tinto is insisting on maintaining its leadership roles after the merger, while Glencore desires a notable premium. Although talks are likely to extend beyond this deadline, insiders suggest that the divide between the…

The stock market is experiencing anxiety over the potential disruption caused by artificial intelligence in software businesses. This makes it an ideal moment for investments in industries like energy, where the U.S. sector has already risen by 17% this year, according to Bloomberg data. This growth has played a significant role in boosting the market capitalization of major oil companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, which has seen a 25% increase over the past year. This rise puts them slightly ahead of their European counterparts, including Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, Eni, and Equinor. Interestingly, this increase in oil stocks comes even…

Survey Reveals GOP Voter Support for Solar Energy A recent poll commissioned by First Solar shows that a slight majority of right-leaning voters, specifically 51%, support the use of utility-scale solar energy. Meanwhile, 30% oppose it, and 19% remain undecided. The survey was conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates. Interestingly, support for solar energy jumps to 70% when respondents learned that the solar panels would be made in America and not sourced from China. Additionally, the survey indicates that 52% of GOP-aligned voters are more likely to support Congressional candidates who advocate for a diverse energy agenda and the establishment…

Nuclear fusion is gaining attention in the world of finance, akin to a surprising experiment. The idea is simple: bring two elements together to create more energy than before. This concept is at the heart of a recent merger between Trump Media & Technology Group, the company affiliated with the Trump family, and TAE Technologies, which is striving to harness nuclear fusion as a new energy source. In this merger, both companies will hold a 50% share, each valued at about $4 billion based on recent stock prices. Interestingly, this valuation is more than three times the amount TAE has…

The transition to clean energy is often talked about in terms of goals and frameworks. However, its real success will come from factories, industrial areas, and communities that still produce goods. Manufacturing is as crucial to society as schools and roads, providing jobs and supporting local services, which help keep families and neighborhoods stable. Even though the U.S. has lost a significant number of manufacturing jobs, from around 20 million to 13 million, the sector still plays a crucial role in innovation and exports. Its focus is shifting toward sectors like electrification, advanced materials, and energy-efficient technologies. Regions with a…

Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are generating a lot of excitement as a promising new technology, with hopes of being operational in the UK by the mid-2030s. These smaller reactors have drawn interest from both governments and major corporations like Amazon and Microsoft because they offer several advantages over traditional, larger nuclear plants. One of the major selling points for SMRs is their size. Even the largest designs produce a maximum of 350 megawatts, making them significantly smaller and cheaper to build than larger facilities, such as the Hinkley Point C plant in the UK. This smaller size means they…

Rio Tinto is advocating for its chair and CEO to retain their positions in the event of a merger with competitor Glencore, as significant disagreements persist ahead of a critical deadline for their $260 billion deal. Important negotiations aimed at forming the world’s biggest mining company are ongoing as the deadline approaches. By Thursday, Rio must declare its clear intent to bid for Glencore or withdraw unless an agreement to extend discussions is reached. Glencore, in contrast, is aiming for a high premium in this potential deal, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. While it’s expected that talks may…

Dive Brief: Tesla has reported a significant boost in its energy storage business, reaching record installations in the fourth quarter of 2025. As electric vehicle (EV) sales slowed, Tesla’s energy storage systems were in high demand, increasing their deployments significantly. Meanwhile, South Korean battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI also noted strong demand for their energy storage products and expect this trend to continue into 2026. Dive Insight: In the fourth quarter of 2025, Tesla deployed 14.2 GWh of energy storage, totaling 46.7 GWh for the entire year, marking a 29% increase for the quarter and a 49%…