Category: News

December 22 2017

Why the Prospect of ‘Peak Oil’ Is Hotly Debated

The world is turning its back on oil. But how quickly? Technological advances driven by the threat of climate change could mean the world’s thirst for petroleum tops out sooner than companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. or giant producers like Saudi Arabia are banking on. “Peak oil” has been debated for decades, but today […]

December 22 2017

Beijing’s Electric-Car Push Could Produce a World-Class Chinese Auto Brand

China has become the world’s largest automotive market, thanks to drivers whose numbers far eclipse those of such former leaders as the U.S. and Germany. But while mainland producers may lead the industry by number of new vehicles sold, China has yet to develop a car brand that rivals the cachet of Audi, BMW, Mercedes, […]

December 21 2017

Wave of Energy Auctions to Trigger $8.2 Billion in Brazil Spending

Brazil is expecting to see about 27 billion reais ($8.2 billion) invested into the country’s energy infrastructure over the next six years, the result of an end-of-year flurry of auctions aimed at boosting its electricity capacity. Energy companies won contracts to build about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) of new power lines and more than 4.5 […]

December 19 2017

China Unveils Plan for World’s Biggest Carbon-Trading Market

China unveiled its plan for a national carbon market, creating the world’s biggest trading system for the climate-warming emissions. The market will initially involve only the power sector, National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Yong said Tuesday at a briefing in Beijing. While that’s a pullback from a previous plan to include eight industries, China’s […]

December 15 2017

Tax Tool Crucial to Wind, Solar Seen Spared in Reform Deal

A $12 billion tax-equity tool that U.S. wind and solar developers depend on to finance projects appears likely to remain largely intact as part of the sweeping reform that Republicans were negotiating Thursday. A tentative compromise would preserve most, but likely not all, of the value of renewable energy tax credits that developers sell to […]

December 15 2017

Oil Giant Nigeria to Sell First African Sovereign Green Bond

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, is set to become the first country on the continent to issue a security that raises funds for environmental projects when it launches its green bond on December 18. The government plans to sell 10.7 billion naira ($30 million) and the offer is billed to close on Dec. 20, said […]

December 15 2017

Bitcoin Points Way to ‘Massive Change’ for Commodity Businesses

Blockchain is upending the world’s financial markets with the rise of bitcoin, and now the digital-ledger system is poised to do the same next year for raw materials like food and energy. Companies including BP Plc, ABN Amro Group NV and Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. said last month they will adapt blockchain to streamline physical energy […]

December 14 2017

Subsidy-Free Wind Power Possible in $2.7 Billion Dutch Auction

Subsidy-free renewables could appear in a second country after an auction this week in the Netherlands, which is seeking about $2.7 billion to develop a giant offshore wind farm. The government on Friday will receive bids to install 700 megawatts of turbines on the seabed off its southwest coast near The Hague, enough to supply […]

December 14 2017

Canada’s Oil Capital Is Making the Leap Toward Renewable Energy

Clean energy is coming to Canada’s oil patch. The government of Alberta — home to the world’s third-largest oil reserves — on Wednesday auctioned off 595 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to be built in the province. That exceeded the government’s target of 400 megawatts. The process marks a major step for Alberta — Canada’s […]

December 14 2017

Biggest Australian Business Lender to Stop New Coal Mine Funding

National Australia Bank Ltd. pledged to stop funding new thermal coal mine developments and boost lending to renewable energy projects as part of global efforts to tackle climate change. “While we will continue to support our existing customers across the mining and energy sectors, including those with existing coal assets, NAB will no longer finance new […]