Kazakhstan

Chevron strengthens post-Hess strategy and reassures markets on growth

In New York, Chevron outlines its long-term vision following the Hess integration, focusing on financial stability, spending reduction, and record production to consolidate investor confidence.

Sofia secures Lukoil refinery ahead of planned state takeover

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.

India and Russia strengthen nuclear cooperation with new projects

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.
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Fusion Fuel Cycles joint venture begins construction of UNITY-2 test facility

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.

Stubbo Solar reaches full commercial operation with 520 MW installed in New South Wales

ACEN Australia’s Stubbo Solar project becomes the first solar asset to operate under an LTESA contract, strengthening its role in New South Wales’ energy transformation.

Girasol Energy launches grid-scale storage aggregation with two projects in Japan

Girasol Energy begins grid-scale battery aggregation with two facilities totalling 4MW in Japan, marking a strategic expansion into balancing markets.
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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.

Fortescue tests ten large-scale solar technologies with ARENA in the Pilbara

Fortescue launches a solar innovation hub in the Pilbara with AUD45mn ($28.9mn) in public funding to test technologies aimed at accelerating and optimising large-scale solar farm construction.

The “Belém 4x” pledge targets global sustainable fuels surge by 2035

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.
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Washington locks in Kazakh tungsten supply and frames its C5+1 bet

The United States secures a tungsten joint venture in Kazakhstan and mining protocols in Uzbekistan, with financing envisaged from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and shipment routed via the Trans-Caspian corridor.

Three U.S. gas basins reshape prices, flows and contracts

Appalachia, Permian and Haynesville each reach the scale of a national producer, anchor the United States’ exportable supply and set regional differentials, LNG arbitrage and compliance constraints across the chain, amid capacity ramp-ups and reinforced sanctions.

Peru bets on carbon markets with its NDC 3.0 climate commitment

The Peruvian government announces a 179 million tonne emissions target by 2035, integrating carbon market tools and international transfers to reach its climate goal.
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Bulgaria passes law to take control of Lukoil refinery

Faced with US sanctions targeting Lukoil, Bulgaria adopts emergency legislation allowing direct control over the Balkans’ largest refinery to secure its energy supply.

JERA launches environmental assessment for 2.6GW gas plant project in Sodegaura

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 launches 125MWh storage project at its Oita solar plant

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 acquires 2MW storage project in Japan for JPY690mn

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 deploys 13.2MWh of storage in Tokyo and Kumamoto

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.

Gunvor drops $22bn bid for Lukoil assets under US pressure

Swiss trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22bn offer to acquire Lukoil’s international assets after the US Treasury announced it would block any related operating licence.

Putin denounces “piracy” after tanker seized off French coast

Vladimir Putin responded to the interception of a tanker suspected of belonging to the Russian shadow fleet, calling the French operation “piracy” and denying any direct Russian involvement.

Macron urges Europe to act against Russian shadow fleet after offshore seizure

France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.

Russian oil tanker Boracay resumes voyage after being seized by France

After being intercepted by the French navy, the Boracay oil tanker, linked to Russia's shadow fleet, left Saint-Nazaire with its oil cargo, reigniting tensions over Moscow’s circumvention of European sanctions.
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Russian crude exports hit 18-month high despite sanctions pressure

Russian seaborne crude shipments surged in September to their highest level since April 2024, despite G7 sanctions and repeated drone strikes on refinery infrastructure.

Moscow rules out diesel export ban for producers

Russia’s Energy Ministry stated it is not considering blocking diesel exports from producers, despite increasing pressure on domestic fuel supply.

U.S. uranium purchases reach 55.9 million pounds in 2024

Uranium deliveries to U.S. civilian operators rose 8% in 2024, while the average price climbed to its highest level since 2012, according to the latest available data.
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Fluxys declares force majeure at Dunkirk, disrupting LNG deliveries

The Dunkirk LNG terminal, the second largest in continental Europe, is seeing reduced capacity due to a nationwide strike disrupting all French LNG infrastructure.

Russia extends ban on gasoline and diesel exports until 2025

The Russian government has extended the ban on gasoline and diesel exports, including fuels traded on the exchange, to preserve domestic market stability through the end of next year.

Medvedev announces the rise of public investment in nuclear and AI

The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
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Russia targets 56 mn tonnes of LNG annually by 2027 despite 2024 decline

Russia’s liquefied natural gas output will increase steadily through 2027 under the national energy development plan, despite a 6% drop recorded in the first eight months of 2024.

DRC caps cobalt exports at 96,600 tonnes until 2027

Kinshasa replaces export ban with a quota system covering just half of its output, triggering a price surge and global supply tensions.

Marubeni creates power trading joint venture with SmartestEnergy in Japan

Marubeni Corporation has formed a power trading unit in joint venture with UK-based SmartestEnergy, targeting expansion in Japan’s fast-changing deregulated market.
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Neoen launches 905 MWh long-duration battery and commissions Collie 2 in Australia

Neoen begins construction of its first six-hour discharge battery in Western Australia and commissions the second phase of Collie, surpassing 3 GWh of storage capacity in the State.

Hokkaido and Tohoku EPCO take stake in Japan’s largest offshore wind farm

The two regional utilities join a JERA-led consortium to support the operation of the Ishikari Bay offshore wind farm, which entered service in early 2024.

Osaka Gas and Daiwa acquire 25MW solar plant from Kyocera

Osaka Gas and Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure have formed a partnership to expand their renewable energy business with the acquisition of a 25MW solar power plant in Kyoto, formerly owned by Kyocera TCL Solar.
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Kansai EPCO to decommission 1.2GW of oil-fired capacity at Gobo by June 2026

Kansai Electric Power plans to shut down two heavy fuel oil units at Gobo Thermal Power Station, totalling 1.2GW of capacity, as part of a production portfolio reorganisation.

Renova commissions 49.9MW Karatsu biomass plant after delays

Renova and its partners have launched commercial operations at the Karatsu biomass power plant, converted to the FIP scheme to secure a long-term power purchase agreement.

Transgrid to mobilise up to 5 GW of batteries to stabilise New South Wales grid

Transgrid plans to contract up to 5 GW of grid-forming batteries to strengthen the stability of New South Wales’ electricity network during the energy transition.
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Asia could absorb more Russian LNG after the European embargo in 2027

The European ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027 is pushing Siberian producers to reorient their flows to Asia, despite logistical and regulatory constraints.

Natural uranium will be sufficient to fuel nuclear reactors until 2100

The International Atomic Energy Agency says known natural uranium reserves will meet global nuclear power plant demand for the rest of the century, despite price pressures.