Global Climate News

Hungary-based Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem awarded a natural gas supply contract to MVM Next Energiakereskedelmi Zrt. The contract, worth 212 042 549,00HUF, covers the 2026-2027 gas years and includes an estimated annual quantity of 4 257 453 kWh. E2 Hungary Energiakereskedelmi also participated in the tender.

Spain: Consorci Català pel Desenvolupament Local (CCDL) awarded electricity supply contracts totaling €1,019,200,000. Winners include ENDESA ENERGÍA, S.A.U., FACTOR ENERGIA, S.A., IBERDROLA CLIENTES S.A., ELECTRA CALDENSE ENERGIA, S.A., and ATLAS ENERGIA COMERCIAL, S.L. Contracts cover various voltage levels and self-consumption schemes across Catalonia.

Poland-based 45 Wojskowy Oddział Gospodarczy awarded a contract worth 8 776 666,68PLN to EWE energia Sp. z o.o. for pipeline transport services of natural gas. The contract was awarded without prior call for competition due to technical reasons, as EWE energia Sp. z o.o. is the sole owner of the necessary pipeline network.

Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and 34 other institutes awarded a contract to Електрохолд Трейд ЕАД for electricity supply and balancing group coordination. The contract, worth 411,715.50 BGN, covers 24 months with a possible 12-month extension. The estimated total value was 12,228,240.00 BGN.

US-based data centers consumed over 4% of the nation's electricity in 2023, projected to reach 9% by 2030. This surge in demand, driven by AI, is causing delays in coal plant closures and impacting clean energy transitions. Companies like Microsoft and Amazon are partnering with nuclear plants, while others explore SMRs and renewable energy sources to meet their sustainability goals. MIT is researching energy-efficient data center designs and clean energy solutions.

US-based CenterPoint Energy restored power to approximately 18,700 customers in the Greater Houston area after Winter Storm Enzo. As of 11 a.m. on January 21, 2025, 99.9% of customers had power restored, with 2,800 customers remaining without power. Approximately 3,000 CenterPoint personnel and mutual assistance workers responded to scattered outages.

US-based Powin discusses how data centers can power AI sustainably. AI spend is projected to reach $632 billion by 2028, increasing data center energy demand. Electricity costs account for 46% (enterprise) and 60% (service provider) of total data center spending. Data centers could consume 6.7% to 12% of total US electricity by 2028. Increased demand for fossil fuels is predicted, with Goldman Sachs estimating 3.3 billion cubic feet per day of new natural gas demand by 2030. Sustainable solutions like battery energy storage systems (BESS) and nuclear power are highlighted to reduce environmental impact and optimize costs.

UK-based TC East Anglia One OFTO Limited experienced a transmission service reduction from February 28, 2024, to April 11, 2024. Ofgem determined this was due to an exceptional event and adjusted the licensee's system incentive performance accordingly.

UK-based Melksham Calne Green Limited has applied for an electricity generation licence from the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority. The closing date for comments is 18 February 2025. The application notice was also published on Melksham Calne Green Limited's website.

Swedish SR Energy, a wind farm developer and operator, has uniquely low electricity production costs in Sweden due to large land surfaces, a strong power grid and favourable wind conditions. The company believes wind power can become the second biggest energy source after hydro power in the Nordic region. Permitting processes in Sweden are slow, taking 5-10 years for completion, impacting growth and profitability.

South Africa's Eskom reached 300 days without load shedding, aiming for a full year by March 26, 2025. This success is attributed to reduced unplanned outages, improved energy availability (7% increase), and R16.42 billion in diesel cost savings. The progress is putting Eskom on a path to profitability and long-term sustainability.

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) responded to a 6.4 magnitude earthquake by immediately initiating inspections and repairs of its infrastructure. Initial assessments showed no major damage to water facilities, industrial parks, ports, wind turbines, or pipelines. Power outages affected 34,491 households, with 190 remaining in the morning. Water disruptions in Tainan and Kaohsiung were also reported, but repairs were underway.

Taiwan's Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) experienced a significant power outage affecting over 30,000 households in Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake. Power was fully restored within four hours. Taipower also reported damage to some of its buildings.

Taiwan's Water Resources Agency (WRA) activated its reservoir safety inspection and reporting mechanism after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. Initial reports indicate that reservoir facilities and water supply remain normal. As a precaution, reservoirs experiencing magnitude 4 or higher tremors will undergo special inspections to ensure safety.

Croatia-based Gradski Parking d.o.o. has announced an open tender for electricity supply. The estimated value is €270,000.00 excluding VAT, with a contract duration of 36 months starting April 1, 2025. The award criteria include price (90%) and the percentage of renewable energy sources (10%), requiring a minimum of 50% renewable energy.

Poland: The Jarocińska Agencja Rozwoju Sp. z o.o. awarded a contract to ENERGA-OBRÓT S.A. for electricity purchase and sale, including renewable energy and balancing services. The total contract value is 7,265,338.51 PLN. The contract covers the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

Slovakia: The city of Stará Turá and seven organizations under its jurisdiction have jointly procured electricity supply for the period 2025-2027 through an open tender. encare, s.r.o. won the tender with a value of €275,000 (excluding VAT).

France: The COMMUNAUTE DE COMMUNES DU PAYS DE BARR is procuring natural gas supply and delivery services for its buildings. The estimated value is €410,600 excluding VAT, with a duration of 39 months. The contract is open procedure and the deadline for tenders is 20/02/2025.

UK-based Severn Trent Water Limited submitted an environmental permit application to the Environment Agency for Broadway Sewage Treatment Works in Worcestershire. The application concerns water discharge activities and is open for public comment.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan deleted a NT$100 billion (approximately US \$3.2 billion) budget to subsidize Taiwan Power Company (Taipower). Taipower expressed regret, stating that this weakens its financial ability to support affordable electricity prices and maintain power grid infrastructure, potentially impacting electricity stability. Taipower had absorbed over NT$2800 billion in losses from 2022-2024 to stabilize electricity prices.