Algeria has inaugurated a 300-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant in El Oued Province, marking a major step in its renewable energy expansion. The El-Foulia solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, spread across 600 hectares in northeastern Algeria, is the country’s largest solar park to date and forms part of its 3.2-gigawatt (GW) national renewable energy programme. The project will feed solar-generated electricity into the national grid, helping meet rising power demand while reducing natural gas consumption for electricity generation. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore "ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap" 300 MWp facility strengthens Algeria’s solar capacity The inauguration took place on October 26, 2026, in the presence of...
Singapore is exploring solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles that could allow heritage buildings to generate clean electricity without compromising their traditional appearance, as the Energy Market Authority (EMA) steps up efforts to advance solar technologies through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. EMA will collaborate with Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to pilot the use of solar PV roof tiles on heritage State buildings. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the technology could enable more roof space to generate clean electricity while preserving the overall appearance of historic properties. Traditional clay-tile roofs are an integral part of the character of Singapore’s heritage precincts....
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Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy Limited (SWREL) has been declared L1 for the engineering-procurement-construction of a 363 MWp DC solar PV plant in Rajasthan, and another 580 MWp DC plant in Uttar Pradesh (both domestic and Balance-of‐System [BOS] basis). In parallel, the company has picked up a Letter of Intent (LoI) for a 115 MWp solar project in South Africa worth roughly USD 120 million. Image for referential purposes only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain These new orders bring SWREL’s total order inflows for the current fiscal to about INR 37.75 billion (USD 449 million). For the Indian solar EPC space, the inflow of such scale signals both confidence in execution ability and the underlying growth in utility-scale...
US-bound tankers and bulk carriers that are queued off the Chinese ports are facing long waiting times due to the ongoing friction between Beijing and Washington, which has started unsettling global shipping routes. The waiting time has increased this year after 19th October, when ships were forced to wait on an average of 2.66 days before securing a berth (a notable rise from earlier averages), according to Bloomberg’s analysis of data from ship-tracking service Kpler. Image source: https://www.gocomet.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain This delay has resulted in a roughly 17 per cent rise in vessel backlogs at major Chinese ports compared to previous weeks, according to port monitoring data. Fees and sanctions add to...
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index remained unchanged at 2,069 points on Monday. It is regarded as the world’s leading independent benchmark for dry bulk maritime freight rates. The index is used for trading and settling physical and derivative shipping contracts. Monday’s flat reading signals a period of calm across major vessel classes. Despite stable overall conditions, the Capesize segment showed modest strength, rising seven points or 0.2 per cent to 3,128, marking a one-week high. Average daily earnings for these large vessels, which typically transport iron ore and coal, edged up from USD 62 to USD 25,944. The index’s steadiness reflects a measured balance between gains in larger vessels and softer performance in smaller carriers, suggesting that freight demand...
Global carmakers are in a race to secure vital rare earth minerals before new Chinese export restrictions take effect in November. According to industry veterans, restrictions on exports by the Chinese Government will cause a massive shortage of key mineral products, which will further impact the production timeline. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Rare Earths: Powerhouse for modern cars Rare earth minerals are used in the manufacturing of various crucial car components, including motors, oil pumps, mirrors, and braking sensors. In electric cars, they are even more critical, as they power the systems that make EVs efficient and quiet. Analysts estimate it controls around 70 per cent of global mining, 85 per cent of refining...
ABx Group has secured another crucial Research and Development (R&D) tax offset of AUD 300,000 (USD 479,847) from the Australian Taxation Office for the R&D work carried out during FY 2024. The refund will be invested to strengthen ABx’s ongoing efforts for further exploration and processing technologies for rare earth materials. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The R&D activities covered by the rebate include exploration, drilling, and processing work centred on ionic adsorption clay rare earth deposits, with particular emphasis on ABx’s fully owned Deep Leads Rare Earths Project in northern Tasmania. The project remains a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to expand Australia’s domestic supply of rare earth elements,...
Arafura Resources and Alcoa Corporation are going to emerge as the first organisations to benefit from a new partnership between the US and Australia. Jointly driven by both governments, the partnership aims to boost investment in projects across Western Australia and the Northern Territory that focus on essential raw materials. After the disclosure of the deal, Arafura Resources’ shares jumped by 18.5 per cent, while Alcoa’s stock saw a mild fall of around 1.3 per cent. The Australian government has committed several hundred million dollars to support key ventures under a wider AUD 13 billion (USD 8.4 billion) strategy to grow the country’s critical minerals capacity. The funding is intended to secure supply lines, build local processing facilities, and cut dependence on imported...
At the Financial Times’ organised Energy Transition Summit India, Vedanta Resources’ CEO Deshnee Naidoo offered a tempered but confident take on the world’s shifting energy landscape. Speaking to the Financial Times, Naidoo reflected on the complexity of the moment — a time, as she put it, when the global conversation around energy transition is “in a state of emergency,” yet perhaps not as bleak as it appears. Image source: https://www.ausimm.com/ Also read: UK keeps anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium foil until 2029 — here’s why Naidoo argued that despite the apparent policy back-pedalling in some economies, underlying momentum remains intact. “I'd like to say that maybe you can take a step back, maybe it's not all lost right now in terms of what's happening,” she said, noting...
Rare earth elements are central to the United States’ military technology that operates across the air, land, sea, and space domains. Their strong magnetic and electronic characteristics enable compact, high-performance motors and actuators used in precision-guided munitions, missile control, and advanced aircraft such as the F-35 fighter jet. In naval operations, rare earth magnets and alloys enhance radar, sonar, and propulsion systems aboard Virginia-class submarines and Arleigh Burke destroyers, providing the stealth and detection capability that defines modern warfare. The US uses roughly 20 tonnes each year, a quantity small enough to fit on a single truck, but its strategic weight is immense. Gallium underpins radar, communication, and satellite systems across the Pentagon’s...
ABx Group, an Australian exploration and critical mineral production firm, has reported a breakthrough in its rare earth processing at the Deep Leads Project in northern Tasmania. The company achieved over 98 per cent of rare earths during its impurity removal tests - a major step towards establishing a commercially viable mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product. Identifying the ‘sweet spot’ A critical ‘sweet spot’ at around pH 6 was identified, where aluminium, a key impurity, was successfully removed without compromising rare earth retention. Tests were conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) on rare-earth-enriched leach solutions produced from fresh sub-samples of a 100 kg bulk sample. The company noted that the combination of high extractions...
As India accelerates its transition to clean energy, Serentica Renewables and MRF Limited have joined forces to develop a major hybrid renewable energy facility. The 170-MW hybrid renewable energy facility will supply green power directly to MRF Limited, a tyre-making firm. The project will combine solar and wind energy and supply power to MRF’s manufacturing facilities nationwide via India’s interstate grid. Captive power model with shared ownership A dedicated entity has been formed, with MRF taking a 26 per cent stake, while Serentica retains the majority. This is consistent with India's captive power policy, which gives industrial players greater flexibility in terms of energy prices and carbon mitigation measures. The long-term Power Delivery Agreement (PDA) will create a reliable...
NTPC Limited, India's largest integrated power utility company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government to explore opportunities across conventional and non-conventional energy sectors. The agreement reinforces the shared commitment of the state and central governments to accelerate India’s clean energy transition while maintaining energy security. Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ Also read: HCC wins USD 24.4 million fabrication contract from Hindalco MoU highlights a long-term energy vision The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference held in Mehsana. It took place in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy Pralhad...
Europe’s largest industrial players, Siemens and TotalEnergies, have prompted European leaders to eliminate one of the most high-profile corporate sustainability laws. The reason behind this is that it adds additional regulatory burdens, which affect the company’s competitive edge. According to a letter from a reputed news agency, Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanné and Siemens AG CEO Roland Busch jointly wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on behalf of 46 European companies. The letter dated October 6 mentioned the elimination of the sustainability law as a direct indication that the European Government and Commission are extremely keen on restoring Europe's competitiveness in the global market. Siemens added that Europe’s ability to compete...
In an effort to strengthen Beijing’s control over global supply chains, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has announced a new expansion of its export control regime for rare earth elements. The new expansion also includes several new materials and processing equipment alongside the rare earth elements. The ministry has confirmed that erbium, holmium, thulium, and ytterbium - elements essential for high-performance magnets, lasers, and optical devices - will now come under the updated export control regulations. Rationale behind the new supply chain regulations Beijing’s move signals a tighter grip on critical materials vital to renewable energy, defence, and semiconductor industries. Analysts see it as part of China’s broader bid to strengthen its influence over global high-tech supply...
India’s top tyre maker, MRF Limited, is stepping firmly into the green energy space with a INR 990 million investment to acquire a 26 per cent stake in Serentica Renewables India Private Limited. The transaction signifies a defining point in MRF's decarbonisation strategy as the automotive industry transitions toward sustainable manufacturing. A strategic clean energy partnership MRF will acquire the stake through cash consideration. The transaction includes a long-term power supply and consumption agreement for solar and wind energy under India’s captive power policy. Completion is expected by 31 July 2026. Serentica, located in Gurugram, was founded in May 2025 and is dedicated to the development, ownership, operation and management of renewable power projects across solar, wind, hydro...
From being a bauxite-rich nation to now positioning itself as a potential global powerhouse in critical minerals, Brazil stands at the crossroads of industrial opportunity and sustainable development. Nestled in South America, Brazil ranks first in niobium, second in rare earths, graphite and iron ore, third in manganese and nickel, fourth in bauxite, and sixth and seventh in zinc and lithium. For bauxite alone, it boasts of having 2.7 billion tonnes of reserves, with output of around 30 to 33 million tonnes per year (until early 2020s), yet still has large geographical locations rich in these minerals untapped. The total mineral reserves in Brazil are over 34 billion tonnes as of 2022. Vast resources yet modest output The problem with Brazil is it lhas huge reserves where output is not...
The empowerment of women is more than just an individual achievement; it’s the spark that ignites the transformation of entire communities. In India, where women have the potential to drive substantial economic growth, deep-rooted socio-economic barriers often hold them back. But in the remote Kalahandi district of Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, is breaking these barriers through its flagship women empowerment initiative, Project Sakhi. Since its launch in 2015, Project Sakhi has become a powerful force for change. To date, over 4,600 women have joined forces in 444 self-help groups (SHGs), collectively mobilising over INR 5 crore (USD 600,000) in financial resources. These funds have helped women transition from economic dependence to running their own...
In September 2025, India issued over 3,628 MW of tenders for renewable energy as solar capacity additions exceeded 25 GW in the first eight months of 2025. The total renewable capacity reached 242.6 GW, and investments of USD 2,245 million were made, according to JMK Research & Analytics. Major tenders signal strong government intent The Deendayal Port Authority invited bids for a 1,000 MW solar project in Gujarat, while the government-owned public sector firm SJVN (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) sought proposals for a 600 MW ISTS-connected wind project. On the EPC side, over 3,000 MW of new tenders were floated, led by Coal India Limited’s 3,000 MW solar plan across five states. These moves underline the Centre’s ambition to speed up renewable deployment and attract...
Pakistan has sent its very first shipment of enriched rare earth elements and essential minerals to the United States, kicking off a USD 500 million partnership that was officially established just last month. The shipment that arrived at the US Strategic Metals (USSM) on Thursday is expected to influence the strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US significantly. Inking the deal In September, Pakistan's Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) teamed up with USSM from Missouri to ink a USD 500 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan. The shipment & its content Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the recent shipment as a significant step towards creating secure and diverse supply chains that will benefit both...
