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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In the first quarter of 2025, the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market experienced a considerable surge, with total installed capacity reaching 221.8 GWh, which is a 38.8 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Today, we delve into the leading brands and their performance in 2025, which has aided in the surge against all odds. Country-wise, China has shoved South Korea and Japan in the sustainable battery race. China’s battery manufacturers lead the charge Chinese battery manufacturers have solidified their dominance in the global EV battery market: CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited): Maintained its position as the world’s leading EV battery supplier, with an installed capacity of 84.9 GWh, marking a 40.2 per cent year-over-year increase. CATL’s...
In a sharply worded communique, the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has fired a warning shot at the West’s growing reliance on sanctions as an instrument of energy policy. At the latest BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting held under Russia’s presidency, the five-nation grouping condemned what they call “unilateral sanctions” and “arbitrary restrictions,” signalling an urgent geopolitical realignment that is beginning to redraw the contours of the global energy map. “We express concern about unilateral sanctions and arbitrary restrictions on energy trade and investment in the energy sector that disregard international law... and pose a threat to the security of the critical energy infrastructure,” the BRICS group said in a joint statement. This declaration comes...
A strategic partnership has been initiated in Chile between Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) and Rio Tinto in an initiative to operate a high-grade lithium project within the region. As of May 10, 2025, both parties involved have signed a binding agreement, which is deemed to be the next step in this broader strategic partnership. Image source: riotinto.com The idea of this joint venture struck between the two firms first came into form back in 2022, where they signed an agreement for collaboration that has been made by focusing on their accumulated experience in designing, construction and operation of the underground mines. Fast forward to 2023, both companies exchanged information with each other, like mutual interest, objectives, electrification of mining activities,...
Rjukan is set to witness the upgrade of the hydropower production initiated by Hydro, a leading aluminium and renewable energy company. For the upgrade, the firm is initiating an impact assessment, which further includes submitting a new application for setting up a new hydropower plant. Image source: hydro.com With the upgrade of the hydropower, the region can benefit in various ways, including: Modernised power production with increased flexibility and pumped storage for the power system in Norway Providing up to 750 MW of upgraded capacity for maximum production and pumping Expected increase of up to 50 per cent of Mana River's gross annual production Optimises the current annual production of 3 TWh of power from the firm's existing plant in the region Reduced risk of floods during the...
When London hosted the first formal UK–EU summit since Brexit on 19 May 2025, it wasn’t just a photo opportunity. It was a full-blown recalibration of economic realism. The commonly called ‘Brexit reset deal’ signalled a deliberate pivot back to Brussels after half a decade of friction, lost trade, and mounting industrial fatigue. With four key pillars, including access to the EU’s EUR 150 billion defence rearmament fund, regulatory easing for agricultural checks, a youth mobility visa scheme, and reinstated e-gate privileges for UK travellers, this was no ceremonial gesture. Yet the biggest headline for business? A potential rescue line for British exporters haemorrhaging market access and margin to post-Brexit red tape. And nowhere is the reset more urgent — or consequential than in the...
In April 2025, Poland's coal-based electricity fell below 50 per cent for the first time, marking a significant energy shift. The national grid operator, PSE, reported this change as part of Poland's ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources. This development impacts energy-intensive sectors, including aluminium production, which rely heavily on consistent and affordable power. Image credit: clarke-energy The aluminium industry, known for its high energy consumption, may experience changes due to Poland's evolving energy landscape. As coal's dominance wanes, aluminium producers might need to adapt to new energy mixes, potentially affecting production costs and sustainability practices. Forum Energii, an energy think tank, highlighted that in April 2025, coal-generated electricity...
They say "Old is Gold". Well, this is indeed true for the brands in question as Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM), who are old allies since 2000, have signed a definitive agreement for conducting the Winu Project joint venture. The striking partnership between the two firms emerged for delivering the Winu copper-gold project based in the Great Sandy Desert region of Western Australia. What's this project going to hold for the mining industry globally? Image source: weforum.org Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational company also known to be the world's second-largest metal and mining corporation, had discovered a long-life copper-gold deposit back in 2017. Owing to those deposits discovered, the Winu Project came into the light, making the discovery an opportunity to expand...
China-based Smartee Denti-Technology, a global leader in clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions, is set to cut its annual CO₂ emissions by 209,370 kg with the launch of a rooftop solar installation at its Jiaxing smart factory. This reduction is equivalent to the yearly carbon absorption of over 11,700 mature trees. The initiative is a key pillar of Smartee’s 2025 ESG strategy, integrating renewable energy adoption, employee well-being, and agile governance to drive sustainable business growth. The factory in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, is setting new benchmarks in sustainable manufacturing with a suite of green technologies. The facility now features 20,000 square meters of rooftop photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 2MW—enough to supply 50 per cent of its total...
Octopus Energy Generation, the renewables arm of Octopus Energy Group, is charging ahead in Germany's clean energy transformation with a bold new move — the acquisition of MN Projekt GmbH, a top-tier green energy developer based in Hamburg. With a powerful 2-gigawatt pipeline in the works, MN Projekt is driving over 70 renewable energy projects across the country. The portfolio spans cutting-edge solar farms and advanced battery storage systems, with the first projects already shovel-ready and many more set to break ground soon. This acquisition marks a major step in accelerating Germany's shift to a greener, more resilient energy future. "Solar is now the fastest-growing sector in Germany's renewables mix. And with Germany racing towards 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030,...
Sidel has introduced the EvoFILL Can Compact, a high-performance, space-efficient filling solution tailored for premium beverage producers operating at low to medium speeds, up to 40,000 cans per hour. This innovation caters to the increasing demand for flexibility and efficiency in the beer and carbonated soft drink sectors, particularly within the low-to-medium speed production market. Image source: Sidel The EvoFILL Can Compact is designed to handle a wide range of beverages, including carbonated soft drinks and hot-fill products while maintaining high precision and minimal product loss. Its compact 'plug and play' design integrates the seamer and process unit into a single block, reducing the machine's footprint and optimising the total cost of ownership (TCO). The system achieves a...
Incat, Australia’s Tasmania based boatbuilder has cut the ribbon to reportedly the world’s largest electric ship. The brand tags the vessel as “a giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and the “most important” project it has ever accomplished. The craft, called Hull 096, was conjured by the South American ferry operator Buquebus to build a vessel to operate between the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, and Uruguay. During the launch of the ship in Hobart on Friday, the manufacturing brand has disclosed that it would operate entirely on battery-electric power, with onboard passenger capacity of 2,100 and 225 vehicles across the River Plate, which forms the border between Argentina and Uruguay. Australia is also the home to the largest aluminium-hulled catamaran in the world. Echo...
The heated exchange of words for over two months between the US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ultimately led to a diplomatic breakthrough, culminating in a strategic agreement on critical minerals and other natural resources. The deal grants the United States long-term access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, while also guarantees continued defense support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Key provisions and mutual commitments The agreement, signed on Wednesday, April 30, includes key provisions such as the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine – an initiative that Ukrainian officials hope will serve as a platform to secure ongoing American military support. While Ukraine is expected to contribute 50 per cent of all...
Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Vedanta Power company and the largest private thermal power producer in North India, has enabled the establishment of Punjab’s largest torrefied bio-pellets manufacturing facility. This initiative supports Vedanta’s Net Zero 2050 goal to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Image Source: Vedanta Power Located near TSPL’s 1,980 MW power plant in Mansa, this pioneering project will transform agricultural stubble into high-grade bio-pellets — a cleaner, greener alternative to coal — while also addressing the critical issue of air pollution from stubble burning. This initiative is expected to reduce TSPL’s daily coal usage by 5 per cent, potentially cutting up to 2.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The torrefied bio-pellets are made from...
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in a major move to boost India’s hydrogen production capacity. The partnership centres on the mixed-matrix membrane diaphragm technology, which will be used in electrochemical cell separator applications. The partnership between BHEL and BARC marks a significant step forward in achieving the goals of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It underscores BHEL’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions while advancing the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. As highlighted by psuconnect.in, this collaboration positions BHEL to play a vital role in India’s transition towards cleaner, self-reliant energy systems. Hydrogen is gaining...
