Executive Summary
Today’s key developments are marked by China’s accelerating dominance in the clean energy sector, with reports highlighting its control over global electricity storage and its wind industry’s push for a 120 GW annual installation target. This contrasts with policy friction in Europe, where details on a new fuel CO2 levy remain vague and internal disagreements persist over the 2035 clean car law.
In technology and investment, significant strides are being made. Spiro secured a landmark $100 million for electric mobility in Africa, the largest investment of its kind on the continent. Mercedes-Benz unveiled a prototype with an ultra-thin solar coating, and researchers developed a method to convert waste solar panels into hydrogen. In the chemical sector, US tariffs pose a risk to styrene markets, while BASF and IFF have partnered to advance bio based polymers.
Cleantech
- Spiro Lands Record $100M for E-Mobility in Africa: Spiro, a Dubai-headquartered e-mobility company, has raised $100 million, the largest ever investment in Africa’s electric mobility sector. The funding will accelerate the deployment of its electric motorcycles and battery swapping network, with plans to surpass 100,000 units in 2025. This signals strong investor confidence in the African market and its potential to leapfrog traditional transport infrastructure. Read more.
- Mercedes-Benz Unveils Solar-Coated Car Prototype: Mercedes-Benz has revealed its Vision Iconic prototype featuring a 20% efficient, nanoparticle solar coating. The ultra-thin modules, thinner than a human hair, can power the vehicle’s systems even when turned off, representing a potential step change in vehicle integrated photovoltaics and range extension for EVs. Read more.
- Waste Solar Panels Transformed into Hydrogen: A research team at UNIST has developed a process to extract hydrogen from ammonia using silicon recycled from waste solar panels. This innovative method produces high purity hydrogen and silicon nitride, offering a circular economy solution that could lower hydrogen production costs and address the challenge of photovoltaic panel waste. Read more.
Electricity
- China Powers Global Growth in Electricity Storage: China is solidifying its dominance in the global electricity storage market, driven by a massive buildout that raises questions for US and European projects. The country's central role in the supply chain presents both opportunities and geopolitical risks for nations dependent on its technology amid ongoing trade tensions. Read more.
- Chinese Wind Industry Lobbies for 120 GW Annual Target: Leading Chinese turbine manufacturers, including Goldwind and Ming Yang, are advocating for installing at least 120 GW of wind power annually by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects the industry's rapid growth and China's aim to continue its record breaking pace of renewable energy deployment. Read more.
- Solar and Storage Co-location to Reach Nearly 50% by 2060: A new report from DNV forecasts that nearly half of all solar capacity will be co-located with energy storage by 2060. The "Energy Transition Outlook 2025" also predicts that distributed solar generation will start to outpace utility scale installations in some regions due to grid constraints and price cannibalization, signaling a structural shift in power generation. Read more.
- Europe's Solar Cybersecurity Risks Under Scrutiny: The European solar sector faces growing cybersecurity risks, largely due to the market dominance of Chinese inverter companies. As renewables become more integrated into the power grid, concerns are rising about the industry's preparedness for potential cyber threats, prompting questions about whether forthcoming EU legislation will be sufficient. Read more.
Fuel
- Repsol Signs Renewable Fuel Deal with Norwegian Cruise Line: Repsol has signed an eight year agreement to supply renewable marine fuels to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings at the Port of Barcelona. The deal supports the decarbonization of the maritime sector, with Repsol set to produce renewable methanol from urban waste at its Ecoplanta facility. Read more.
Chemicals
- US Tariffs Pose Risk to Styrene Markets: Analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights warn that current US trade measures could put the styrene market at risk of a feedstock shortage. Trade barriers on Latin American aromatics make it difficult to export benzene, a key feedstock, to the US, potentially impacting supply chains as demand recovers. Read more.
- BASF and IFF Partner on Enzymes and Bio-based Polymers: BASF and IFF are collaborating to advance innovation in enzymes for the home care and industrial cleaning markets. The partnership will also explore the development of bio based polymers, aiming to bring new, sustainable solutions to customers. Read more.
Policy
- Details on EU's Fuel CO2 Levy Overhaul Remain Vague: The European Commission has not yet shared key details with EU countries on its plans for the new carbon market for transport and heating fuels (ETS2). This lack of clarity is creating uncertainty ahead of critical budget talks and implementation deadlines for the CO2 levy. Read more.
- Big Tech's Green Pledges Threatened by Accounting Overhaul: Proposed updates to carbon accounting rules could significantly impact the green pledges of tech giants like Amazon and Meta. The overhaul, the biggest in a decade, would change how companies measure emissions, potentially making it harder to meet ambitious climate targets. Read more.
- France and Spain Defend 2035 Clean Car Law: France and Spain are shielding the EU’s 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars from potential attacks by Italy and Germany. The two countries affirmed that any revision to the law should not call the zero emissions target into question, highlighting ongoing divisions among member states over the future of mobility. Read more.
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