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....
Grow with
AL Circle
Chinese domestic thermal coal market closed last week (August 25-29) on a bearish note, as demand diminished seasonally despite lingering supply constraints. On Friday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at RMB 695 per tonne (USD 97.5 per tonne) FOB northern ports with VAT, down RMB 7 per tonne from the previous week. Prices for 5,000 kcal/kg and 4,500 kcal/kg NAR grades also slipped RMB 18 per tonne and RMB 22 per tonne to RMB 615 per tonne and RMB 540 per tonne, respectively. Last week, chilling weather dented household power demand in North China, leading to a notable decline in coal consumption at utilities. But temperatures in the southern and eastern regions remained high, which, coupled with weak hydropower generation, continued supporting coal burns at high levels,...
Basin Energy has secured a binding agreement to acquire one of Queensland's most promising uranium and rare earth portfolios, situated near Paladin Energy's Valhalla uranium deposit and Red Metal's Sybella rare earth find. This acquisition paves the way for three exciting exploration models, each ready for drilling and offering significant potential for near-term discoveries. Extensive Paleochannel Network - Identified through AEM geophysical surveys, these uranium-prospective paleochannels lie adjacent to the uranium-rich Sybella Granite. As ancient river systems are buried beneath younger sediments, they often host uranium accumulations at redox boundaries. Granite-hosted REE potential - Comparable to Red Metal's major Sybella discovery, with auger drilling already delivering standout...
Washington’s borrowing spree is about to hit historic levels. After the latest debt ceiling standoff left its cash reserves depleted, the US Treasury is preparing for one of its largest-ever borrowing sprees. It’s a stark reminder of how costly political standoffs can be, as rising government expenses run headfirst into weaker revenues and new spending pressures. As per reports, on Monday, August 25, the Treasury revealed plans to borrow a staggering USD 1.007 trillion in the third quarter (Q3), a sharp increase as it looks to rebuild its drained reserves. That total is USD 453 billion higher than April’s forecast, mainly driven by a slimmer-than-expected cash balance at the start of the quarter and weaker projected inflows. By the end of September, the Treasury aims to have USD 850...
Rio Tinto has paused production at its SimFer project in Guinea after a contractual employee lost his life in an unfortunate incident on August 22. An immediate and detailed safety review has been initiated in collaboration with relevant authorities. The move underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening workplace safety across all its global operations, including its bauxite and aluminium portfolio. Safety an utmost priority now Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues impacted by this tragic event as well as the wider community. We will offer all the support we can at this very difficult time, and a thorough investigation will take place together with the relevant authorities to establish the...
In a bold step to slash soaring power costs and fast-track its green journey, Ganesha Ecosphere, one of India’s leading plastic recyclers, has commissioned a 5 MW rooftop solar power system at its Telangana facility. Executed by Solluz Energy, the project will feature Trina 595 Wp solar modules, Sungrow inverters, and sturdy aluminium mounting structures for long-term performance. By tapping into the solar energy sector, the company will offset a large chunk of its energy demand, translating into annual savings of INR 51.5 million (USD 590,179) and a swift payback period of just 3.5 years. The system is projected to generate substantial cost savings while reducing the company’s carbon footprint and strengthening its commitment to renewable energy. It will also ease reliance on grid power,...
The global rare earth metals market is undergoing a major market shift, as US price interventions, Chinese export restrictions, and surging demand disrupt supply chains and compel countries to rethink their strategies. In mid-July, the US took a bold step to challenge China’s dominance in rare earths. The Department of Defence signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with MP Materials, guaranteeing a minimum price of USD 110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide. This figure is almost double the prevailing China-based market price of around USD 60 per kilogram. The move is designed to boost domestic production of key materials for EV motors, wind turbines, and defence systems. Analysts are calling it a game-changer, predicting that this new price floor will become a global...
Lindian Resources has managed to raise A$ 91.5 million (USD 59.39 million) in funds and has made a dinal investment decision to fully develop Stage 1 of its high-grade Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi. The capital puts Lindian on track to become the world's next significant producer of rare earth elements (REEs) and other strategic minerals associated with the high-performance use of aluminium in the green energy revolution. Funds raised, process in progress The firm obtained commitments for its two-tranche round from new Australian and international institutional investors, with demand well in excess of the funds sought. The issue price of USD 0.21 per new share was a significant premium to the recent volume-weighted average trading price, reflecting strong market confidence in...
The European Union’s vaunted export engine is sputtering under the combined weight of tariffs, softer demand, and eroding competitiveness. June 2025 marked a dramatic turning point: according to ING’s latest analysis, the bloc’s seasonally adjusted trade surplus collapsed to just EUR 2.8 billion, down from EUR 15.6 billion in May. Eurostat’s official, unadjusted figures tell a similar story, showing the surplus narrowing to EUR 7.0 billion in June from EUR 20.7 billion a year earlier. Image source: https://wjjh.blog/ The headline numbers mask an even more telling shift. Exports from the single currency area rose a negligible 0.4 per cent year-on-year to EUR 237.2 billion, while imports surged by nearly 7 per cent to EUR 230.2 billion. On a monthly basis, exports contracted by 2.4 per...
In a bold leap toward self-reliance and semiconductor supremacy, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is gearing up to become the first Indian company to produce the elusive rare metal gallium within the next two years. On Tuesday, the firm announced its initiative to extract gallium is now at the advanced stage and the likelihood to start the commercial production in the upcoming two years. India's leading aluminium producer has partnered with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Heavy Water Board (HWB) on R&D initiatives focused on gallium extraction and non-nuclear applications of heavy water. Leveraging these collaborations, the company has successfully developed an indigenous technology to extract gallium, a critical metal recovered as a by-product in the alumina production...
What if the very ground beneath our trains could double as a power source, clever, cost-wise and brilliantly green? India’s transport sector is witnessing a new wave of innovation that blends infrastructure with sustainability. This includes the incorporation of removable solar panels on the railway tracks at Varanasi. Indian Railways has commissioned the nation’s first removable solar panel system integrated between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi. Officially inaugurated on August 15, 2025, the pilot installation spans 70 metres with 28 panels, delivering a total peak capacity of 15 kWp. The solar panels are affixed to concrete sleepers using epoxy adhesive and supported with rubber pads to endure train-induced vibrations. The removable design enables...
NTPC Renewable Energy has opened the bidding process for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 300 MW grid-connected solar project in Goa, India. Image used for representational purpose Bids are to be submitted by August 26, 2025, with the same date set for opening. An earnest money deposit of INR 200 million is required from participating bidders. The selected contractor will handle the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar project. Operation and maintenance (O&M) services will also be required for three years. Bidders must secure and transfer ownership or lease encumbrance-free land and arrange grid connectivity at the designated substations. Also read: ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030...
Aluminium’s strength and adaptability are transforming the way solar power is integrated into commercial spaces, exemplified by a Brisbane shopping centre that now features a 250 kW prefabricated solar shade structure completed in only three weeks. Image used for reprentational purpose Widely used in solar canopies for its lightweight strength, corrosion resistance and recyclability, aluminium forms the backbone of the Warner Marketplace installation delivered by Sydney-based Canyon Solar in partnership with Smart Commercial Solar and Woolworths. The project used 36 prefabricated pods mounted on 11 columns, each anchored with screw pier foundations, some reaching depths of up to 9 metres due to poor ground conditions. The structure is fully waterproof, incorporates integrated lighting and...
THDC India Limited has launched a tender for a 53.9 MWac (72.8 MWp) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be set up within the premises of the KPCL Thermal Plant (RTPS) in Karnataka. Image used for representational purpose The project, valued at an estimated INR 220.24 crore including GST, covers both construction and a three-year comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) period after the plant becomes fully operational. The tender is restricted to “Class-I local suppliers” and will follow a single-stage, two-envelope electronic bidding process, with technical and financial bids submitted separately online. Following bid submission, an electronic reverse auction will be held to determine the winning contractor. Bidding timelines and terms Tender documents: Available from...
Eden Renewables, a renewable energy developer whose headquarters are in Troy, New York, USA, has received a unanimous planning consent from Braintree District Council for its proposed 13.8 MWac Sheepcote Solar Farm. This farm is close to Cressing in Essex, England. The consent came with glowing endorsements from the councillors, one saying, "If Carlsberg did solar farms," and another described it as "a beautiful proposal". Eden celebrated the planning approval with a post on its LinkedIn page, revealing, “Good to see a rational, constructive and objective assessment of the application from the council's planning team and a testament to all the hard work and skills of our team and the many consultants who supported them – thank you.” Agri-Solar and biodiversity at the heart of the plan...
British-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto is about to set itself up for a game-changing opportunity. If aluminium-ion (Ai) batteries, supported by companies like Tesla, can create new commercialisation, then Rio Tinto could be one of the most strategic beneficiaries. With its combination of critical mineral assets, diversification, and hopes of growth in lithium and copper, Rio Tinto is making itself an integral part of the battery value chain. Aluminium-ion: a game-changer for Rio Tinto Aluminium-ion batteries offer many benefits over lithium-ion batteries . They are lighter, charge faster, and have a higher energy density, with much lower environmental impacts. With aluminium being relatively abundant (bauxite, the ore for aluminium, constitutes ~8 per cent of the Earth’s crust), Ai...
In a strategic pivot highlighting both innovation and geopolitical foresight, global integrated aluminium producing firm Alcoa of Australia Limited, part of Alcoa Corporation, has announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA) to explore gallium recovery at one of its alumina refineries in Western Australia. JAGA is a venture between Sojitz Corporation and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), both key players in Japan's mineral supply strategy. Image for referential purposes only Gallium is a by-product of the refining of bauxite, is essential in semiconductors and has various aspects of defence. For now, China controls around 80 per cent of the gallium supply worldwide. In 2023, it put in place restrictions...
A trade agreement between Japan and the US in July 2025 provided partial tariff relief, but ongoing challenges particularly in aluminium and auto parts continued to weigh on Japan’s manufacturing output. While services accelerated domestic demand, the country’s industrial base remained under pressure amid evolving global trade dynamics. The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 48.8 in July, dipping below the crucial 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction. This marked a reversal from June’s 50.1, the first expansion reading in over a year. Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence Annabel Fiddes said, “Business activity across Japan's private sector continued to expand at the start of the third quarter, fuelled by...
Asian Energy Services Limited (AESL), one of India's energy and mining services companies, has received an integrated service order of INR 865 crore (USD 104 million) from Vedanta Limited. With a duration longer than 57 months, this contract aims to provide integrated services primarily specialising in upstream oil and gas infrastructure services across its operational blocks, with a focus on Rajasthan, among India's other hydrocarbon regions. A strategic move amid India’s energy goals The agreement fits with India’s broader energy strategy, which is to reduce crude oil imports by 10 per cent and promote domestic hydrocarbon output. As part of that intent, companies such as Vedanta are increasingly investing in brownfield optimisation, integrated field management and O&M (Operations &...
