France

The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
French group Valorem has commissioned the ViIatti wind complex in Finland, made up of two farms totalling 313 MW and an estimated annual output of 1 TWh.

Sinopec deploys 65,000 Sercel sensors for 3D seismic survey in Mexico

Chinese group Sinopec has launched a large-scale seismic imaging campaign across 3,000 km² in Mexico using nodal technology from Sercel, owned by Viridien, delivered in August to map areas with complex terrain.
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The Northern Lights project has injected its first volume of CO2 under the North Sea, marking an industrial milestone for carbon transport and storage in Europe.
French group Air Liquide strengthens its presence in Asia with the acquisition of South Korean DIG Airgas, a key player in industrial gases, in a strategic €2.85 billion deal.

Containerized BESS Market to Reach USD 35.82 Billion by 2030, Says MarketsandMarkets

Driven by grid flexibility demand and utility investments, the global containerized BESS market will grow at an annual rate of 20.9% through 2030.
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The Ministry of Economy has asked EDF to reconsider the majority sale agreement of its technology subsidiary Exaion to the American group Mara, amid concerns related to technological sovereignty.
The European Union’s regulatory framework mandates green hydrogen integration in refineries, generating projected demand of 0.5 million tonnes by 2030.

Qair secures USD 5.7 million financing for floating solar plant in Seychelles

Developer Qair secures a loan from the Facility for Energy Inclusion to build a 5.8 MWp floating photovoltaic solar plant in Providence Lagoon, the first utility-scale project of its kind in Seychelles.
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The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Energiekontor launches a €15 million corporate bond at 5.5% over eight years, intended to finance wind and solar projects in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal.

GIP Acquires 49.99% Stake in Eni CCUS Holding in Strategic Carbon Deal

Eni sells nearly half of Eni CCUS Holding to GIP, consolidating a structure dedicated to carbon capture and storage projects across Europe.
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With an annual growth rate estimated at 10.11%, the global aviation fuel market could reach USD 751 billion by 2032, driven by increasing air traffic and new industrial partnerships.
Petrobras is holding talks with SBM Offshore and Modec to raise output from three strategic FPSOs, two already at full capacity, to capture more value from the high-potential pre-salt fields.

SNF acquires Obsidian Chemical Solutions and strengthens its foothold in the Permian Basin

SNF acquires Obsidian Chemical Solutions, a Texas-based SME specialized in chemical solutions for well completion. Transaction amount and conditions undisclosed, but the acquisition comes in a growing North American market.
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Equinix signed a preorder for 20 Kaleidos nuclear microreactors and a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement with ULC-Energy, reinforcing its energy supply strategy for its data centers.
Beijing opposes the possible return of European trio sanctions against Iran, as the nuclear deal deadline approaches and diplomatic tensions rise around Tehran.

Karpowership and Seatrium Partner to Deploy Floating LNG Power Plants

Karpowership and Seatrium formalize a strategic partnership to convert floating LNG units, strengthening their joint offering in emerging mobile electricity markets.
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The Manah-1 solar project in Oman, with a capacity of 500 MW, was delivered by Shanghai Electric and has recorded a stable first month of operation, strengthening industrial and technical cooperation with Électricité de France.
MARA strengthens its presence in digital infrastructure by acquiring a majority stake in Exaion, a French provider of secure high-performance cloud services backed by EDF Pulse Ventures.
Engie announces the extension of the "Red Sea Wind Energy" wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW. This initiative aims to support the country's renewable energy ambitions while consolidating Engie's role in Africa and the Middle East.
TotalEnergies has launched the construction of its first flared gas treatment plant in Iraq.

UK Gas Reserves Drop to Critical Levels Amid Winter Chill

Faced with exceptional cold and the end of Russian deliveries, the UK's gas reserves are half-full, raising concerns about winter energy supply.
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A Kazakh court has ordered NCOC, an international oil consortium, to pay 6.6 million USD for excessive gas flaring at the Kachagan oil field, highlighting regional environmental challenges.
In 2024, the global average temperature exceeded 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, a historical record. Natural disasters are intensifying, and the UN urges immediate action to counter their growing impacts.

Senegal: Sangomar Exceeds Oil Production Targets for 2024

The offshore oil field Sangomar, operational since June 2024, has surpassed its annual forecasts with 16.9 million barrels produced, strengthening Senegal's strategic energy position.
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The French Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, sees her responsibilities adjusted but remains in charge of combating climate change and leading decarbonization efforts despite losing direct control over energy.
EDF steps up its efforts with the Nuward SMR, a 400 MW reactor designed to meet the strategic energy needs of industries and public utilities in Europe.

Uzbekistan mobilizes $80 million to produce 240 MWh of annual solar energy

With an $80 million international investment, Uzbekistan launches a strategic solar power plant in the Khorezm region, aiming for an annual output of 240 MWh and significant COâ‚‚ emission reductions.
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The LionLink project, a hybrid interconnector developed by TenneT and NGV, will link the Dutch and UK electricity grids through the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm, ensuring 2-gigawatt capacity and strengthening energy security in Europe.
In France, the energy check program recorded more than 200,000 requests in the last two days of 2024, highlighting growing pressure to meet the needs of low-income households amid the energy crisis.

The Development of Strategic Electric Interconnections

Electric interconnections have reshaped global energy systems, enabling cross-border cooperation and economic stability. Rooted in Oxford Energy Institute research, this piece highlights key agreements, technological milestones, and the diplomatic strategies driving these transformative infrastructures.
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The European Commission has approved a joint acquisition between EEW Holding and Sumitomo, valued at €998 million, aimed at supporting the production of components for offshore wind farms.
Tunisia accelerates its energy transition by awarding 4 solar photovoltaic projects totaling 498 MWac, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and promote renewable energies.

Mayotte: A Third of Households Still Without Electricity After Cyclone Chido

Three weeks after Cyclone Chido, nearly a third of Mayotte's households remain without electricity, while recovery efforts advance with increased mobilization of EDF and EDM teams.
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In 2024, Germany set a new record with 59% of its electricity produced from renewable sources, marking a key milestone after the complete shutdown of nuclear power. A balance of ecological progress and energy challenges.
With the end of the Arenh mechanism in 2025, Aluminium Dunkerque is calling on EDF to offer competitive prices to remain internationally competitive while meeting decarbonization requirements.

France and ASNR integrate 2,000 experts in a contested nuclear reform

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) restructures the French nuclear sector by integrating 2,000 employees. This reform, at the heart of political and economic challenges, raises questions about governance and transparency.
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TotalEnergies and Vantage Drilling announce the creation of TEVA Ship Charter LLC, a joint venture aimed at managing the Tungsten Explorer platform for an initial ten-year period in Congolese waters.
In 2024, France achieved an unprecedented net electricity export level of 89 TWh, driven by a restored nuclear production and strengthened renewable performance.