Executive Summary
Geopolitical tensions are driving a significant restructuring of global energy trade, highlighted by the EU adopting an LNG import ban from Russia beginning in 2027 and major oil firms ceasing transactions with a sanctioned Chinese refiner. Simultaneously, the cleantech sector is focused on massive scaling and supply security: CATL reported battery capacity constraints despite 36GWh shipments, and the US and Japan formed a strategic alliance to bypass China in the rare earth supply chain. Infrastructure challenges threaten traditional energy as the Permian Basin faces a power crunch. Meanwhile, new investment signals future energy directions, including a nearly $1 billion European clean energy fund and a EUR 70 million contract for modular nuclear plant design.
Cleantech
Scaling Renewables and Storage China’s Ming Yang Smart Energy announced plans for the world’s largest floating wind turbine, a 50MW twin-rotor model, aiming to significantly lower the cost of offshore wind. This hyper-scaling of renewable technology points toward a future where single units deliver unprecedented power volumes. Read more
Storage Bottlenecks and Innovation Battery giant CATL reported Q3 Energy Storage System (ESS) battery shipments reached 36GWh, yet its market share was "impacted by capacity constraints," confirming that manufacturing scale is currently the primary barrier to meeting exploding global demand. Meanwhile, Sizable Energy raised US$8 million to advance its innovative offshore pumped hydro system, delivering low-cost, long-duration energy storage (LDES) using gravity. Read more
Future Energy Investments In Europe, Aviva Investors and Astatine partnered to launch an €800 million (US$928 million) program targeting industrial clean energy and decarbonization solutions. Separately, NEXTCHEM secured a EUR 70 million engineering services contract from newcleo to develop the basic design for a First of a Kind modular nuclear plant, signaling strong financial interest in advanced nuclear technologies. Read more Read more
Electricity
Infrastructure Constraints The Permian Basin, the largest oil and gas producing region in the U.S., is facing a power crunch, with insufficient electricity threatening to constrain future oil production growth. This highlights the critical reliance of hydrocarbon production on stable electricity grids. Read more
Gas and Renewables Integration Mitsubishi Power and JEL were awarded the EPC contract to construct Singapore's largest combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility, a 670MW plant. This continues the trend of building high-efficiency gas assets to provide essential grid stability and firming capacity alongside intermittent renewables. Engie also signed a significant 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Apple for renewable energy in Italy, demonstrating long-term corporate commitment to decarbonization through stable procurement contracts. Read more
Fuel
Geopolitical Energy Shifts Austria confirmed it will switch to western European sources for its gas supply in 2025, anticipating the end of Russian transit. This is a clear, actionable example of European states actively de-risking their energy mix based on political necessity. Read more
Chemicals
Hydrogen Supply Chain Asahi Kasei announced it is expanding the production of electrolysis components, including cell frames and membranes, which are crucial for the mass-scale production of clean hydrogen. This strategic move by a major chemical player focuses on establishing necessary industrial capacity for the hydrogen economy. Read more
Policy
Decarbonization Conflict The EU adopted a new sanctions package that includes a complete ban on Russian LNG imports starting in 2027, finalizing a major regulatory shift away from Russian gas. This contrasts sharply with internal market support issues, such as Türkiye’s confirmed $8.7 billion in guaranteed payments to domestic coal power plants, which fundamentally challenges its stated green energy transition goals. Read more Read more
Geopolitics
Critical Mineral Security U.S. rare earth developer REAlloys Inc. signed a strategic deal with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), establishing a concerted effort to secure critical rare earth mineral supplies outside of China's dominant control. This bilateral alliance is a vital step toward diversifying the supply chain for key cleantech and defense components. Read more
Sanctions Enforcement Following UK sanctions, international oil majors canceled spot cargo deals of crude oil to Shandong Yulong Petrochemical, a Chinese refiner. This event demonstrates the immediate impact of Western sanctions on third-party entities and the resulting friction in global crude supply chains. Read more
US Policy Reactions EU leaders welcomed new U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil entities, arguing the coordinated pressure will compel Moscow to reassess its strategic positions. Read more
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