energy transition

Solar is set to play a prominent role in future energy systems, according to the chief executive of French power company Engie.

India’s energy and mines minister Piyush Goyal has challenged Germany and the city of Munich to a race with the ancient holy city of Varanasi to become the first large city in the world to be 100% powered by clean energy.

At least 13.7GW of planned coal-fired power plants have been cancelled in India this month, while solar prices have tumbled to new lows, showing that India’s energy transformation is in full swing, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

The route to decarbonisation in the energy sector will create benefits of US$10 trillion every year by 2050, while requiring only US$1.8 trillion to implement, according to a new joint report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Big energy utilities such as Eon and innogy are “changing the appearance” of the European solar market as they wade into the sector, a panel of industry leaders has concluded.

Dithering on policy making is distracting Australian politicians from an urgent need to replace old coal power plants with renewable energy, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) has said.

Major power firm EnergyAustralia has confirmed it will soon sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 500MW of wind and solar projects across eastern Australia, in contracts worth AU$1.5 billion (US$1.12 billion).

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council has met to discuss Australia’s energy future, prompting mixed reactions from the industry.

French oil major Total’s €950 million acquisition of battery manufacturer Saft puts the company at the front of the pack of fossil fuel firms looking to diversify, according to SolarPower Europe CEO James Watson.

Industry-watchers, environmental groups and think tanks have commented on news this morning that the biggest coal mining company in the US, Peabody Energy, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing downturn in the coal industry as a major factor.