France

TOPCon 4.0 vs HJT: the financial trade-off in the solar sector in 2026

As the photovoltaic industry enters a phase of deep restructuring, the duel between TOPCon 4.0 and heterojunction technologies is redefining manufacturers’ margins. In 2026, reducing production costs becomes the primary strategic lever for global market leaders.

JA Solar and Trinasolar Lead a Global Solar Market in Crisis

JA Solar and Trinasolar top Wood Mackenzie’s latest semiannual ranking despite a sector-wide net loss of $2.2 billion. Industrial leaders are strengthening their grip on global photovoltaic module supply through rigorous financial discipline.

Peregrine launches 500 MWh storage project near Dallas with Wärtsilä and WHC

Peregrine Energy Solutions has begun construction on a 500 MWh storage project in Texas, relying on Wärtsilä's technology and WHC's engineering expertise to enhance ERCOT grid flexibility.
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Israel seals a €30 billion gas contract with Egypt

An agreement announced on December 17, 2025 provides for twenty years of deliveries through 2040. The package amounts to 112 billion new Israeli shekels (Israeli shekels) (NIS), with flows intended to support Egyptian gas supply and Israeli public revenues.

Meg O’Neill takes over BP to refocus the group on hydrocarbons

British company BP appoints Meg O'Neill as CEO to lead its strategic refocus on fossil fuels, following the abandonment of its climate ambitions and the early departure of Murray Auchincloss.

Dalkia wins €15bn contract to manage Paris heating network until 2050

The Paris Council awards a €15bn, 25-year contract to Dalkia, a subsidiary of EDF, to operate the capital’s heating network, replacing long-time operator Engie amid political tensions ahead of municipal elections.
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Venezuelan oil: Caracas maintains exports despite US naval blockade

The Venezuelan national oil company has confirmed the continuity of its crude exports, as the United States enforces a maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels operating around the country.

Baker Hughes signs multi-year contract to equip Kuwait’s oilfields

Baker Hughes will supply advanced artificial lift systems to Kuwait Oil Company to enhance production through integrated digital technologies.

Future Fund Oman engage $1.2bn pour accélérer 141 projets énergétiques et industriels

Le fonds souverain omanais a validé 141 projets en 2025 pour un engagement total de $1.2bn, visant à renforcer l’indépendance énergétique et l’industrialisation nationale à travers un programme d’investissement de $5.2bn.
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Holtec and MVM join forces to deploy small nuclear reactors in Hungary

US-based Holtec has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hungary’s energy group MVM to assess the deployment of its SMR-300 technology, strengthening bilateral nuclear cooperation and opening prospects for a new market in Central Europe.

Radiant raises $300mn to industrialise its micro nuclear reactors in the United States

California-based startup Radiant has secured $300mn to build its first factory in Tennessee and prepare for the mass production of miniature nuclear reactors for off-grid applications.

T1 Energy launches construction of 2.1GW solar cell plant in Texas

T1 Energy has begun construction of a solar cell facility in Milam County, Texas, representing an investment of up to $425mn, aimed at strengthening U.S. industrial autonomy in the photovoltaic supply chain.
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Sawgrass LNG marks eight years of liquefied natural gas deliveries to The Bahamas

U.S.-based Sawgrass LNG & Power celebrates eight consecutive years of LNG exports to The Bahamas, reinforcing its position in regional energy trade.

Terra Innovatum accelerates licensing process for its SOLO™ reactor with the NRC

Terra Innovatum has increased its interactions with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to advance licensing of its SOLO™ micro-modular reactor, despite the partial shutdown of the US federal government.

Clinton and Dresden nuclear reactors granted 20-year licence extensions

The US nuclear regulator has extended the operating licences of three Illinois reactors by 20 years, strengthening Constellation's long-term industrial outlook for the Clinton and Dresden sites.
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Pivot Energy secures $225mn to develop 60 new community solar projects

Pivot Energy has secured $225mn in funding from three banking partners to support a portfolio of 60 community solar power plants across nine US states.

Oklo secures key approval for upcoming nuclear fuel facility

The accelerated approval of the Aurora facility’s nuclear safety plan marks a strategic milestone in rebuilding a domestic nuclear fuel production line in the United States.

Natural Gas Services raises 2025 guidance after 14.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA

Natural Gas Services Group reported a strong third quarter, supported by fleet expansion and rising demand, leading to an upward revision of its full-year earnings outlook.
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Morrison wins major Shell contract for oil facility in Louisiana

Shell Pipeline has awarded Morrison the construction of an elevated oil metering facility at Fourchon Junction, a strategic project to strengthen crude transport capacity in the Gulf of Mexico.

IonQ partners with University of Chicago to build next-generation quantum platform

IonQ will deploy a quantum computer and entanglement distribution network at the University of Chicago, strengthening its technological presence within the Chicago Quantum Exchange and accelerating its product roadmap.

Terra Innovatum signs two strategic agreements to accelerate deployment of its modular reactor

Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.

Orano, Navoiyuran and ITOCHU launch uranium mining at South Djengeldi site

The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.

France: The Senate wants to include dam reform in the energy planning bill

The Senate's economic affairs committee recommends including the reform of the legal framework for dams in the upcoming energy bill to avoid competitive tendering, following a principle agreement between Paris and Brussels.
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French Academy of Sciences warns of economic risks linked to solar geoengineering

The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.

CVE invests €19.7mn in its first methanisation unit in Occitanie

Energy producer CVE Biogaz launches a facility in Tarn capable of processing 21,500 tonnes of biowaste per year to produce biomethane injected into the local gas network.

TotalEnergies and EDF consider strategic alliance in offshore wind in the Channel

TotalEnergies could bring EDF into the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind project after RWE’s planned withdrawal, strengthening the industrial and financial prospects of the two neighboring parks scheduled for 2032.
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Thailand and Japan boost US crude imports amid geopolitical tensions

Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.

Energy Fuels raises $700mn through convertible notes to support project expansion

Energy Fuels has completed a $700mn fundraising through 0.75% convertible notes, aimed at supporting its rare earth and uranium projects.

Baker Hughes to supply key liquefaction equipment for Port Arthur LNG Phase 2

Baker Hughes has secured a contract from Bechtel to provide gas turbines and compressors for the second phase of Sempra Infrastructure’s LNG export project in Texas.
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CPP Investments injects $1 billion into AlphaGen to support AI-driven energy growth

The Canadian pension fund takes a strategic minority stake in AlphaGen, a 11 GW U.S. power portfolio, to address rising electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence.

Federal shutdown threatens permit delays and energy projects in the United States

The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.

Targa invests $1.6bn in NGL pipeline between Permian and Mont Belvieu

Targa Resources will build a 500,000 barrels-per-day pipeline in the Permian Basin to connect its assets to Mont Belvieu, strengthening its logistics network with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
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Washington pushes higher biodiesel quotas to support soybean producers

A bipartisan group of 47 lawmakers is calling on the US Environmental Protection Agency to maintain high biodiesel quotas to support local agriculture affected by falling exports to China.

California authorises E15 fuel sales to reduce pump prices

California lifts its ban on E15 fuel, opening its vast market to the ethanol-gasoline blend in a bid to lower prices and expand consumer options.

Clean Energy Technologies installs ORC system for global industrial manufacturer in the United States

Clean Energy Technologies and RPG Energy Group completed the installation of an Organic Rankine Cycle heat recovery system at a major industrial site in Tennessee.
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J&F Investimentos targets EDF’s thermal plant amid Brazil’s booming energy M&A

Brazilian holding J&F Investimentos is in talks to acquire EDF’s Norte Fluminense thermal plant, valued up to BRL2bn ($374 million), as energy-related M&A activity surges across the country.

BlackRock and Canada Pension Plan finalise $6.2bn Allete buyout with Minnesota approval

Minnesota’s public regulator has approved the $6.2bn acquisition of energy group Allete by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan, following adjustments aimed at addressing rate concerns.

Clariant targeted by BP and ExxonMobil in ethylene case

The Swiss chemical group faces two new lawsuits filed in Germany, bringing the total compensation claims from oil and chemical companies to over €3.5bn ($3.7bn) in the ethylene collusion case.
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US Supreme Court to rule on ExxonMobil case over 1960 Cuban asset seizures

The US Supreme Court will hear ExxonMobil’s appeal for compensation from Cuban state-owned firms over nationalised oil assets, reviving enforcement of the Helms-Burton Act.

Major fire contained at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, investigation underway

A major fire has been extinguished at Chevron’s main refinery on the US West Coast. The cause of the incident remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine its origin.