Executive Summary
Today's developments highlight a deep conflict in the global energy transition. Global coal use reached a record high in 2024, directly challenging climate goals. This comes as a new report confirms the world is moving too slowly to meet the 1.5°C target.
In geopolitics, the EU has formally agreed to end all Russian gas imports by 2028. However, its own climate policies are under fire, with the US and Qatar warning that new corporate sustainability rules could jeopardize future LNG supplies.
In technology and investment, AI's rising energy demand is creating a supply crunch for gas turbines. In contrast, cleantech is advancing: Fortescue announced a major new wind project in Australia, Alsym Energy launched a new sodium-ion battery, and Jan de Nul debuted the world's largest cable laying vessel to support offshore wind.
Cleantech
- Alsym Energy Launches Sodium-Ion Battery Line: Alsym Energy has introduced its new 'Na-Series' sodium-ion battery line. Aimed at stationary storage, the batteries are non-flammable, non-toxic, and do not rely on materials from Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC). This innovation targets a lower levelized cost of storage and improved supply chain security. Read more.
- Slowing EV Demand Hits US Auto Supplier: A US auto supplier is permanently shutting down a plant in Michigan, citing significantly lower than expected demand for electric vehicles. This move highlights the market volatility and demand uncertainty currently facing the EV supply chain, impacting production and employment. Read more.
- Australia Backs Donald Rare Earths Project: The Australian government's Export Finance Australia (EFA) has provided an A$80 million letter of support to Astron and Energy Fuels for the Donald rare earths and mineral sands project in Victoria. This support signals a strategic move to secure critical mineral supply chains essential for cleantech and defense. Read more.
Electricity
- AI's 'Dash for Gas' Sparks Turbine Supply Crunch: The massive energy demand from AI data centers is driving a surge in orders for gas-fired power plants. This has created a supply crunch for giant turbines, threatening to extend reliance on fossil fuels and posing challenges for grid decarbonization efforts. Read more.
- Fortescue Unveils Major Wind Project in Pilbara: Fortescue has announced plans for a massive new wind project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project is a key part of its "real zero" emissions target and push to eliminate fossil fuels from its iron ore operations. Read more.
- Jan de Nul Launches World's Largest Cable-Lay Vessel: The Jan de Nul Group has launched the 'Fleeming Jenkin', the world's largest cable laying vessel. This next generation ship is designed to install the high capacity cables needed for future offshore wind farms and interconnectors, representing a critical enabler for the energy transition. Read more.
Fuel
- Global Coal Use Hit Record High in 2024: Despite clean energy efforts, global coal consumption reached an all time high last year. This trend imperils the world's attempt to limit global heating to 1.5°C and underscores the immense challenge of displacing the incumbent fossil fuel. Read more.
- Woodside Hikes 2025 Oil Production Guidance: Woodside Energy has increased its 2025 oil and gas production guidance. The upward revision is driven by strong performance from the Sangomar oil project offshore Senegal, signaling continued investment and focus on conventional oil production. Read more.
- Cathay and Airbus Invest $70M in SAF: Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Airbus are jointly investing up to $70 million to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in Asia. This partnership aims to secure the future supply of low carbon fuels critical for decarbonizing the aviation sector. Read more.
Chemicals
- CPM Unveils Clean Oilseed Processing Tech: CPM has announced its Monarc Clean Oilseed Processing technology, a patent pending system using alcohol based solvents like ethanol. It is projected to match the efficiency of traditional hexane based extraction while offering significant safety and environmental advantages for producing oils and proteins. Read more.
Policy
- World Moving Too Slow to Meet 1.5°C Climate Goal: The "State of Climate Action 2025" report finds that global progress is "stalling on progress" to reach the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. While some indicators are improving, none are on track, highlighting an urgent need for accelerated policy and action. Read more.
Geopolitics
- US and Qatar Warn EU Over Climate Rules: The US and Qatar have issued a joint threat to the EU, warning that the bloc's new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) could imperil future investment and the security of LNG supplies. This creates a significant political rift between the EU and its key gas suppliers. Read more.
- EU Agrees to End Russian Gas Imports by 2028: In a landmark decision, the EU has formally agreed to end all imports of Russian gas by 2028. This move aims to permanently sever the bloc's energy dependency on Moscow and accelerate its shift to alternative supplies and renewable sources. Read more.
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