Ukraine

Rosatom successfully completed a series of tests on its high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel, validating its performance at up to 1,700 °C under prolonged irradiation conditions.
Interceptions of ships linked to Venezuelan oil are increasing, pushing shipowners to suspend operations as PDVSA struggles to recover from a cyberattack that disrupted its logistical systems.

Global wind industry suffers historic downturn in 2025 despite Chinese resilience

Policy reversals, reduced performance and corporate disengagement marked an unprecedented slowdown in wind power in 2025, although China continued its expansion at a steady pace.
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China's electricity market overhaul improves the profitability of energy storage, supporting a rapid increase in battery exports as global demand rises with data centres and power grids.
Chinese oil group CNOOC continues its expansion strategy with a new production start-up in the Pearl River Basin, marking its ninth offshore launch in 2025.

Washington seizes second Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Caribbean

US authorities intercepted a second oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, escalating pressure on Caracas amid accusations of trafficking and tensions over sanctioned oil exports.
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Facing a rapid increase in demand across industrial corridors, the Kenyan government is restructuring its power grid to accelerate connections, reduce technical losses and integrate new digital tools.
Shanghai Electric begins a combined-cycle expansion project across four Iraqi provinces, aiming to boost energy efficiency by 50% without additional fuel consumption.

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.
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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.
The ATUM Solar industrial complex, located in Ain Sokhna, will include three factories—two of 2 GW capacity—backed by a $220mn investment from an international consortium.

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.
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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.
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.

Beijing opens major energy projects to private capital to revive investment

Chinese authorities authorise increased private sector participation in strategic energy projects, including nuclear, hydropower and transmission networks, in an effort to revitalise slowing domestic investment.
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Faced with shorter approval timelines, several European nuclear firms, including Newcleo, Orano and Urenco, are considering relocating key industrial investments to the United States.
The Bulgarian government has increased security around Lukoil’s Burgas refinery ahead of a state-led takeover enabled by new legislation designed to circumvent international sanctions.

Envision and Statera partner on 680MW storage project in the United Kingdom

China's Envision Energy will supply a 680MW battery storage system to UK-based Statera Energy as part of the Carrington project, one of the largest in the country to reach financial close.
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Russia and India are preparing an expanded agreement for the construction of VVER-1200 reactors and modular nuclear power plants, while accelerating work at the strategic Kudankulam site.
Chinese group Jinhong Gas finalises a new industrial investment in Spain, marking its first European establishment and strengthening its global strategy in the industrial gas sector.
Michael Kretschmer, Minister-President of Saxony, proposed restarting dialogue with Russia on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, despite clear opposition from the German government to any reactivation of the project.
The International Energy Agency warns of growing vulnerability in strategic metal supply chains, dominated by a limited number of producing and refining countries.

Niger orders CNPCNP executives to leave over breach of local content rules

Nigerien authorities instruct the local arm of China National Petroleum Corporation to repatriate expatriates who have held positions for over four years, citing violations of local content requirements and economic sovereignty.
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German asset manager Union Investment has excluded TotalEnergies from its sustainable funds over allegations of human rights violations linked to the EACOP oil project in Uganda, further complicating its international financing.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.

Envision Energy obtains Bureau Veritas certification for its green ammonia plant in China

Envision Energy’s green ammonia project in Chifeng becomes one of the first globally to receive Bureau Veritas certification, enhancing its international market credibility.
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Chinese manufacturer HyperStrong has unveiled in Germany its new modular energy storage platform, HyperBlock M, designed to streamline installation, maintenance and performance at utility scale.
China and Egypt concluded over 30 energy-focused agreements, including electric vehicles, smart grids and storage technologies.

Europe commits €800bn to defence, destabilising strategic metals supply balance

The European rearmament plan intensifies pressure on critical metals supply chains, dominated by China, and in direct competition with other key industrial sectors.
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The Ivorian government has approved a 25-year concession for an 85,934 MWh solar power plant in Katiola under a public-private partnership with Swiss energy firm JC Mont-Fort.
Iraq has signed a deal with China’s Geo-Jade and Hilal al-Basra to develop an integrated project combining oil, refining and electricity in the country’s south.

Rosneft takes control of strategic rare earth deposit Tomtor in Siberia

State-owned oil group Rosneft has taken over the exploitation licence for the Tomtor rare metals deposit, marking the entry of hydrocarbons into a mining sector largely abandoned by private investors.
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In April, China generated 26% of its electricity from wind and solar, according to Ember, marking a historic first that reflects a rapid rebalancing of its energy mix.
Facing Russian dominance in the Akkuyu nuclear project, Turkey accelerates international negotiations, aiming to mitigate risks related to energy dependency and potential strategic conflicts of interest.

European Union sanctions 189 new Russian tankers used clandestinely

The European Union has expanded its measures against Russia by targeting nearly 200 new vessels illegally transporting oil, as part of its 17th sanctions package.
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QatarEnergy is set to begin liquefied natural gas production in the US by the end of 2025 and expand its North Field East project in Qatar starting mid-2026.
Faced with domestic industrial overcapacity, China is stepping up its international renewable energy investments, aiming to dominate global value chains while opening new markets for its companies.

Gotion completes first 0.2 GWh pilot line for solid-state batteries

Chinese manufacturer Gotion has completed the first pilot production line for its GEMSTONE all-solid-state battery, marking a technical milestone in the industrial development of this energy technology.
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Brussels aims to persuade the G7 to reduce the Russian oil price cap to $50 per barrel, as part of negotiations on the next sanctions package targeting Moscow’s energy revenues.
Russia has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), deeming it discriminatory and protectionist towards its strategic commodity exports.