Japan

Fusion Fuel Cycles has begun work on its UNITY-2 facility, a unique test bench designed to validate the full tritium fuel cycle under fusion conditions, marking a key step toward fusion energy.
Girasol Energy begins grid-scale battery aggregation with two facilities totalling 4MW in Japan, marking a strategic expansion into balancing markets.

General Oyster to invest ¥800mn to strengthen its solar portfolio

The Japanese oyster producer is investing in both resale and construction of photovoltaic plants, evenly splitting resources to consolidate its GO Store subsidiary's position in the domestic solar market.
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Nineteen countries, led by Brazil, Italy, Japan and India, aim to quadruple sustainable fuel production by 2035, marking a major industrial and regulatory challenge for global energy and transport supply chains.
The Japanese energy group plans to replace four steam turbines at its Sodegaura site with three combined-cycle gas turbines, with full commissioning targeted for 2041.

Daiwa, Fuyo and Astmax commission 100MWh battery storage system in Sapporo

Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure, Fuyo General Lease and Astmax have commissioned a 50MW/100MWh battery storage station in Sapporo, marking their entry into Japan’s large-scale energy storage market.
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Sonnedix has started construction on a 125MWh battery storage system at its 30MWAC Oita solar site, with commercial operation planned for November 2026 and a JPY21.4bn ($142mn) financing secured.
Tamagawa Energy has completed the acquisition of a 2MW/8MWh battery site in Kagoshima for JPY690mn ($4.57mn), marking its entry into grid-scale storage.

South Korea under industrial pressure over emissions targets deemed unrealistic

South Korean refiners warn of excessive emissions targets as government considers cuts of up to 60% from 2018 levels.
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Tokyo Asset Solution invests in two storage projects, including a standalone site in the Japanese capital, marking its entry into the large-scale sector with national and international partners.
Transition Industries signed a long-term purchase agreement with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical for the annual supply of 1mn tonnes of ultra-low carbon methanol starting in 2029, from its Pacifico Mexinol project in Mexico.

HD Renewable Energy accelerates in Australia and Japan with 6.1GW of solar and battery projects

Taiwanese company HD Renewable Energy is expanding internationally with major solar and battery storage projects in Australia and Japan, targeting more than 6 gigawatts of installed capacity by 2028.
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Toshiba and GE Vernova have signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy integrated CO2 capture solutions in combined-cycle gas plants in Asia, reinforcing a long-standing industrial partnership.
Driven by aerospace, industrial gas, and hydrogen investment, the global liquid hydrogen micro-storage systems market is projected to grow 9% annually through 2034.

Aegir Insights expands Aegir Quant™ to hybrid, solar and storage assets

Danish firm Aegir Insights extends its Aegir Quant™ platform to onshore wind, solar, storage and hybrid assets, strengthening its investment intelligence offering for developers and investors.
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Mitsubishi Power will supply equipment to convert an oil-fired thermal power plant to natural gas in southern Vietnam.
Driven by innovations in perovskite and quantum dots, the next-generation solar cells market, valued at USD 4.21 billion in 2024, is expected to grow rapidly at a rate of 21.21%, reaching USD 19.62 billion by 2032.

Seven-Eleven to procure 22.3 GWh per year from 21 MW solar and 140 kW hydro via Chugoku EPCO-sleeved PPA

Seven-Eleven Japan signs a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chugoku Electric Power to acquire 22.3 GWh annually from solar and hydro projects, marking a new chapter for the retailer in renewable energy procurement.
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Erex and Samsung C&T announce a partnership to develop grid-scale energy storage projects in Japan. The two companies plan a 50:50 joint venture to deploy large-scale storage installations.
J-POWER announces the retirement of its 500MW coal-fired Takasago Thermal Power Station in Hyogo Prefecture by FY2028, marking a key shift in its energy investment strategy.
In Paris, an unprecedented conference organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA) brings together experts, industry leaders, and tech giants to explore the promises and challenges of artificial intelligence in addressing climate urgency and rising energy demands.
JERA and Toho Studios inaugurate the first commercial use of electricity generated from hydrogen zero-emissions in Japan, a step toward 100% carbon-neutral film production.

Japan Boosts LPG Purchases While South Korea and China Resell Surplus

Japan increases liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports for winter, while South Korea and China resell their surplus on the Asian market.
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The French group Orano adjusts its 2024 sales forecast to €5.8 billion, one billion more than previously expected, following contracts for the repatriation of Japanese nuclear waste stored in France.
At COP29, world leaders established the foundations for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, but major challenges remain regarding integrity, demand, and national implementation.

Hydrogen Leaks: A Critical Challenge Highlighted by the OIES Report

Hydrogen Leaks: A Critical Challenge Highlighted by the OIES Report
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Australia unveils a $1.30/kg tax credit for renewable hydrogen to attract private investment and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
The easing of Panama Canal constraints and growing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fleet have kept Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) freight rates at historically low levels, with uncertain market prospects ahead.

Kogas and Japanese Buyers: No Use of Gazprombank for Sakhalin 2 LNG Imports

Kogas and several Japanese LNG buyers confirmed they do not use the Russian bank Gazprombank, sanctioned by the United States, for transactions related to the Sakhalin 2 project, ensuring no impact on their imports.
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The development of low-carbon ammonia in Canada, aimed at the Asian market, faces regulatory and logistical hurdles reminiscent of those encountered by LNG projects, raising concerns about economic and operational feasibility.
The global petrochemical market will reach $685.01 billion by 2031, driven by rising demand for polymers in automotive, packaging, and construction sectors. Asia-Pacific dominates, fostering sustained growth and innovative opportunities.

Clean Hydrogen Works awards McDermott FEED contract for Ascension Clean Energy project

Clean Hydrogen Works awards McDermott the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Ascension Clean Energy (ACE) project in Louisiana, aiming to produce 2.4 million metric tons of clean ammonia annually.
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The evaluation of debris extracted from Fukushima, crucial for dismantling planning, could last up to a year, according to Tepco, the operator of the Japanese nuclear plant.
Incident at Brunei LNG: Controlled Disruption with No Immediate Impact

GUS Technology and Toshiba sign an agreement for NTO-based lithium-ion batteries

GUS Technology and Toshiba Corporation have reached an agreement to develop lithium-ion batteries using niobium titanium oxide (NTO), with a market launch targeted for 2025.
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Tokamak Energy announces a $125 million funding round, marking a key step toward the commercialization of fusion energy and the development of high-temperature superconducting technologies. A strategic global collaboration to address energy challenges.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) collaborate to develop secure and optimized maritime transport of liquefied hydrogen, a crucial step toward a low-carbon energy supply chain.

COP29: Japan aligns with the EU on NCQG and takes a neutral stance on CBAM

At COP29, Japan aligns with the EU on climate finance contributions and adopts a measured approach to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while reviewing its long-term energy objectives.
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Net electricity production in OECD countries increased by 1.1% in August, reaching 981.9 TWh. Solar saw a spectacular 27% growth, while fossil fuels declined in the overall energy mix.
Electricity Prices in Japan Surge by Nearly 20% Due to a Cold Spell