Global Climate News

The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has introduced new \"Mon-Sun Peak Power Futures\" contracts for the Spanish market and short-term futures for the Greek power market, starting February 24, 2025. These aim to facilitate renewables integration by addressing the impact of solar power on electricity spot prices. EEX also extended expiries to ten calendar years for French and Dutch power markets to support renewables integration and provide PPA hedging opportunities.

Czechia's Pardubický kraj is constructing a 180 kWp solar photovoltaic power plant at Gymnázium Pardubice Dašická. The open tender, with a deadline of February 12, 2025, includes supply and installation of photovoltaic modules and related construction work.

Finland has made significant investments in its green transition, including over €3 billion in wind power in 2023 and an additional €2 billion planned for 2024. A new nuclear power plant was also launched. The country aims to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity generation and is attracting foreign investment in green hydrogen production and industrial electrification. Green investments are projected at €2 billion in 2024 and €4 billion in 2025 (excluding onshore wind power), with a total of €140 billion in planned projects.

Swedish real estate company Wallenstam, owning 66 wind turbines, is self-sufficient in renewable energy. They prioritize five UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on sustainable cities and communities. A stakeholder analysis showed surprisingly aligned priorities across groups, with social issues ranking highly. Individual electricity and water metering reduced consumption by 10-25%.

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s finalized power plant greenhouse gas standards will deliver significantly more emissions reductions by 2040 than predicted, at relatively small costs to industry. The standards ensure coal use continues to decline and cut carbon dioxide emissions by an additional 68-390 million tons annually in 2040.

US-based Climate Access Fund (CAF) launched the Solar4Us @ Henderson-Hopkins project, installing a 808-kilowatt solar array on a Baltimore school. This community solar project will provide discounted electricity to approximately 150 low-to-moderate income households, saving subscribers an estimated $1.1 million over the panels’ lifetime. The project also includes job training and educational opportunities.

Grenada: The Green Climate Fund, through GIZ, has approved a project to improve water resource management and resilience to climate change, benefiting over 100,000 people by 2024. This includes building 16 storm-proof water storage facilities and improving water efficiency. Renewable energy will also be implemented for the National Water and Sewerage Authority, co-financed by the BMU.

China has implemented its first energy law, promoting green and low-carbon transition and including hydrogen energy. The government set 10 key energy priorities for 2025, including accelerating renewable energy and implementing the energy law. Over 300GW of renewable energy capacity was installed in 2024. A 3tn yuan ($411bn) stimulus package is planned, largely for EVs and green energy. China approved the world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibet, with an annual output of 300 terawatt hours. EV sales surged in 2024, exceeding 4.3m vehicles for BYD alone. A trade-in subsidy for EVs was renewed.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, in collaboration with 32 international scientists, conducted a horizon scan identifying 15 significant issues shaping environmental conservation. Four key issues highlighted include: macroalgae as a sustainable source of rare earth elements; record low Antarctic sea ice impacting marine ecosystems; human impact on seabed carbon stores; and offshore wind farms altering ocean processes. The study was published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution and partially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

China's energy and climate actions in 2025 will focus on balancing economic growth with decarbonization. Renewables will be scaled up, while coal power will undergo transformation. The national carbon market will expand to include more sectors. China's climate plan for the next 10 years will be released, and its ambition will be tested against geopolitical challenges.

Finland has experienced a decline in electricity prices, with the Nordic power futures indicating further decreases below 50 euros per megawatt-hour. The country is on track to become self-sufficient in electricity and achieve fossil-free power generation within the next couple of years due to new nuclear reactors and increased wind power capacity. Onshore wind power in Finland is noted as one of the cheapest methods for increasing zero-emission power in Europe, reducing reliance on Russian energy imports.

The article discusses several factors influencing energy markets in 2025, including tighter natural gas supply, OPEC+ decisions, shifting product demand (with increased NGLs and reduced demand for gasoline and diesel in China), the role of biofuels in the energy transition, and the increasing use of short-term energy options due to market uncertainty. The expected lifting of the temporary pause on new LNG export licenses in the US is anticipated to accelerate investments in the natural gas and LNG industry. S&P Global Commodity Insights believes that increases in OPEC+ output would put downward pressure on oil prices, potentially sending WTI futures to as low as $30 per barrel. New refined products supply from the Dangote refinery in Nigeria and the potential commissioning of the Olmeca refinery in Mexico will add pressure to existing refiners.

US-based EcoFlow has published a blog post on preparing for power outages, including creating an emergency supply kit with essential items like water, food, flashlights, and backup power solutions such as EcoFlow Portable Power Stations and solar generators. The blog also provides guidance on evacuation plans, vehicle preparedness, and actions to take during a power outage.

India invited around 10,000 special guests to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade. The guests included representatives from various government schemes focusing on renewable energy (PM Surya Ghar Yojna, PM KUSUM), agriculture (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Rashtriya Gokul Mission), and rural development (PM-VISHWAKARMA yojana, OM Matasya Sampada Yojana). Disaster relief workers, Pani Samiti, Water Warriors, and environmental conservation volunteers were also invited.

Egypt-based Orascom Construction has completed the first phase of the Ras Ghareb wind farm, generating 306 MW of clean energy. The project, funded by several international banks including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, is expected to reach 650 MW capacity by Q3 2025, reducing carbon emissions by 1.3 million tons annually.

Egypt saved $1 billion in fuel consumption for electricity generation last year. The country aims to increase renewable energy to 42% by 2030 and 60% by 2040, including 65 GW from wind and solar. Orascom Construction finished the first phase of a wind farm. Asia-Potash plans to invest $10 billion in Egypt for phosphate fertilizer production.

India's Prime Minister mentioned renewable energy, aviation ecosystem, electric mobility, metro network expansion, and bullet train projects as examples of the country's rapid progress. He also highlighted India's progress in renewable energy and its aim to become a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the role of the Indian diaspora in this journey.

India added a record 24.5 GW of solar power capacity and ~3.4 GW of wind capacity in 2024. This represents a more than twofold rise in solar installations and a nearly 1.21 times increase in wind installations compared to 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu were the top three states for utility-scale solar installations, accounting for 71% of the total. Rooftop solar capacity additions increased by 53%, driven by the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana scheme.

Germany-based Fraunhofer UMSICHT presented its expertise in the field of mushroom materials as a bio-based material at the BAU trade fair 2025. The institute showcased applications of materials made from fungal mycelium, including a facade element combining integrated photovoltaics, power generation, weather protection, and thermal insulation. The presentation highlighted the potential of mycelium materials for resource and climate protection in sustainable products.

Taiwan's Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (BSMI) has implemented mandatory inspections for residential lithium battery energy storage appliances and power conversion systems up to 20 kWh and 20 kW respectively, starting July 1, 2026. These regulations aim to improve safety and address risks associated with increasing renewable energy adoption.