Petrobras has signed an agreement to acquire a 49.99% stake in Lightsource BP's Brazilian subsidiaries, forming a joint venture to develop onshore renewable energy projects in Brazil. This strategic move marks Petrobras' entry into the solar power generation segment, aligning with its 2026-2030 business plan for portfolio diversification and decarbonization.
Ubombo Sugar Limited has signed an E1.3 billion Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with India-based ISGEC Heavy Engineering Limited for a new biomass co-generation power plant in Eswatini. This project, targeting commercial operation by June 2028, aims to add 40MW to the national grid, significantly boosting the nation's energy security and reducing reliance on imports.
Estonian transmission system operator Elering is progressing with the planning phase for the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor, a significant pipeline project designed to connect Finland and Germany via Estonia. This initiative, part of a broader European effort, aims to establish a robust hydrogen transmission infrastructure across six Baltic Sea countries, with the planning phase expected to conclude by early 2027.
China has successfully connected the world's first commercial supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generator to its national grid. Located at a steel plant in Guizhou, the 30-megawatt system, developed by CNNC, marks a significant advance in waste heat recovery and holds promise for future nuclear technology.
Montenegro anticipates a significant 58% increase in electricity output by 2026, driven by the restart of the Pljevlja thermal power plant after ecological reconstruction and substantial investments in new solar and wind energy projects. This aims to boost energy independence and create a surplus.
Indonesia's state-owned energy company Pertamina has announced a significant discovery of up to 724 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in unconventional hydrocarbon reserves within the Rokan block in Riau. This marks the largest finding for Pertamina in a decade, bolstering national energy production capacity and highlighting the potential of unconventional resources in Indonesia.
Students from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia have secured first place in the inaugural 'White Gold Rush' competition, focusing on natural hydrogen as a low-carbon energy alternative. The event, held in Dhahran, saw KFUPM teams outperform competitors from Canada's University of Waterloo, highlighting innovative approaches to sustainable energy.
Slovenia's Krsko nuclear power plant generated a net 29,621 MWh of electricity in October, surpassing its operational target by 23.4%. This notable achievement occurred despite the plant undergoing a scheduled month-long overhaul, underscoring its efficiency and critical role in the region's energy supply.
Indonesia's Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) announced plans to auction 75 oil and gas working areas by 2027. This initiative aims to boost exploration, secure future energy supplies, and revive the nation's declining oil production, with a focus on attracting private investment.
Turkey has commenced technical discussions with Canadian nuclear technology firm Candu Energy regarding potential collaboration on two large-scale nuclear power plants. These talks are part of Turkey's strategic efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity, aiming to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports. The proposed plants are slated for the Sinop and Thrace regions.
China has released detailed specifications for a groundbreaking nuclear-powered cargo ship, designed to carry 14,000 containers. The vessel will be propelled by a thorium-based molten salt reactor, representing a significant advancement in maritime engineering and clean energy for shipping.
The future of nuclear energy in the Netherlands faces significant hurdles, with political divisions and budget cuts pressuring development. The outgoing cabinet plans to fully finance two new power plants via a state-owned company due to a lack of private investment, as reported on October 23, 2025.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the country will begin consultations on acquiring American nuclear fuel. This move aims to diversify supply for its expanding nuclear energy capacity, including the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, while simultaneously maintaining existing ties with Russian suppliers. The discussions highlight Hungary's strategy for enhanced energy security.
Germany is set to build an initial 12.5 GW of gas-fired power plants, designed to be hydrogen-ready but without an immediate conversion mandate. These plants are critical for grid stability and replacing coal, with tenders expected by early 2025 and backed by significant subsidies.
China has made a significant advancement in its next-generation 'artificial sun' project, with the prototype divertor component of the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) successfully passing expert evaluation. This critical component is vital for managing heat and impurities in future fusion reactors.
North Macedonia's power producers generated 20,572 MWh of electricity from renewable sources in September 2025, marking a 3.3% year-on-year increase. This growth highlights the country's ongoing commitment to expanding its green energy sector and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
North Macedonia has seen a surge in energy investment interest, with applications totaling 4.2 GW for battery projects and 7.1 GW for wind, solar, and gas power plants. This signals a significant push towards diversifying the nation's energy mix and enhancing grid stability.
Malta's reliance on imported electricity significantly increased in 2024, with power purchases via the Sicily-Malta interconnector surging by nearly 50% to 970.4 GWh. This rise, driven by higher demand and reduced local generation, means imported power now constitutes over 31% of the island's total electricity supply.
China has commissioned a pioneering solar thermal power station in Guazhou County, Gansu Province, featuring a world-first dual-tower design and nearly 27,000 mirrors. Developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, the plant utilizes molten salt storage for continuous power generation, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.
Finland and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 6, 2025, in Helsinki, deepening technical and economic cooperation in sustainable, clean, and renewable energy. The agreement aims to boost energy efficiency, promote Finnish companies in the Indonesian market, and support Indonesia's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.
