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Maguire: Texas is the top US state for battery and renewable energy capacity.
Texas dominates the development of renewable energies and battery capacities in the United States. It is estimated that Texas has installed nearly 80% greater combined solar, battery and wind capacity than the second largest state. Cleanview and U.S. Energy Information Administration data show that Texas will have 42,000 megawatts of wind power and 22,000 MW solar farms, and 6,500 MW utility-scale batteries by the end of 2024. California is the second largest state in terms of the number of batteries and renewable energy sources. Florida, Arizona, and Colorado complete the top five list of U.S. States that are using renewables to increase their power supply. The following is a breakdown on the size and growth rate of solar, battery storage and wind energy in the United States. THE BIG 3. Texas's rise as the nation's leader in clean energy has been fueled by rapid capacity expansion on multiple fronts. According to the energy data portal Cleanview using EIA data and state-level statistics, Texas power companies have increased solar generation by 800% since 2019, wind capacity by 50%, and battery storage by a staggering 5,500%. Texas installed 19,000 MW solar, 14,000MW wind, and 6,200MW battery capacity in the last five years. According to Ember's estimates, these installations will result in wind and solar farms producing roughly 30% of electricity for the state in 2024. This is an increase from a combined solar-and-wind share of about 18% in 2019. California now gets about 40% of its energy from solar and wind sources. This is up from 25% in 2019. The main reason for this increase in solar production has been the aggressive growth in solar generation. California has added around 9,000 MW to its solar power system in the last year, bringing it to a total of 21,500 MW by 2024. California's battery network grew from 240 MW to 11,000 MW over the same period. It is now the largest in the nation. California's wind power footprint has remained largely constant at 6,430 MW over the past few years. This translates to a combined solar-wind and battery storage capability of about 40,000 MW. Florida is the third largest state in terms of the footprint of renewables, and has the most battery capacity. However, it has no wind capacity. It trails behind the top five states when it comes to the cumulative solar, battery, and wind capacity of 11,500 MW. The state's solar footprint has increased from less than 50MW in 2019 up to more than 10,500MW in 2024. This shows a strong current momentum in renewables production. According to EIA's data, Florida's current battery capacity is around 575 MW. This places Florida fifth in the category. The U.S. Department of Energy announced recently that it would invest nearly $30 million to increase the battery capacity of the power sector in California. This will help boost the overall battery capacity. GROWTH MARKETS Arizona, Colorado New Mexico, and Nevada are the second largest states when it comes to grid-scale renewables and battery storage combined. The combined capacity of solar, wind, and batteries in each of these states is approximately 7,500-8300 MW. Each state's electricity sector will likely add solar and battery capacities over the next few years. Arizona and Nevada are the states with the largest battery storage systems, at around 2,000MW and 1,125MW respectively. This should allow local utilities the ability to store excess solar power and distribute it later. According to a Wood Mackenzie report, the United States is expected to deploy 62,000 MW grid-scale batteries between 2024-2028. Before the end of this decade, an additional 10,000 MW residential storage capacity as well as around 2,500MW commercial and industrial storage are expected to be developed. These are the opinions of the author who is a market analyst at.
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Ocean data climate tech firm XOCEAN raises 115 million euros
Investors, including Big Oil's Climate Investment Fund and Morgan Stanley 1GT Fund, have invested 115 millions euros ($119.20million) in Irish geophysical-data firm XOCEAN. This investment will help the company expand its operations. The company uses uncrewed surfaces vehicles to maintain offshore wind infrastructure and other energy infrastructure. This includes checking for leaks in pipelines and developing carbon storage and capture projects. The technology of the company allows clients to control their vessels remotely and stay on site for longer. This is unlike traditional providers who rely on crewed boats that cost thousands of dollar a day, even when bad weather forces these vessels into port. XOCEAN claims that the technology can be delivered with just 0.1% of carbon emissions from manned vessels. S2G Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Chicago, and CC Industries owned by the Crown Family are also part of the growth equity round, which will help XOCEAN to expand its fleet and develop new technologies and products. Francis O'Sullivan said that XOCEAN, working with some of the largest energy companies in the world, has reimagined the delivery of geophysical data, which is crucial to unlocking the potential of the blue economy. S2G helped structure the deal. The investment in XOCEAN was the first to be made through Climate Investment's growth equity strategy. Climate Investment is an independent investor founded by members of Oil and Gas Climate Initiative. Some of these, like Shell and BP are already clients. Patrick Yip, Climate Investment's director of growth and managing director for XOCEAN, said that "several customers cited XOCEAN" as their 'platform' of choice. The company was founded in Ireland in 2017. It has over 240 employees in offices located in Ireland, Britain and the United States.
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Union and employers reach agreement to avoid a second US port strike
The union that represents 45,000 dockworkers on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coasts, and their employers announced on Wednesday they had reached a tentative agreement on a six-year contract. This prevented further strikes which could have disrupted supply chains and taken its toll on U.S. economic growth. In a joint press release, the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance employer group called the agreement a win-win. The agreement includes a resolution on automation, the most difficult issue to resolve. The groups stated that "this agreement protects existing ILA jobs, establishes a frame work for implementing new technologies to create more jobs, while modernizing East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. It will make them safer and efficient and provide the capacity needed to keep our supply chain strong." The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The talks were extended until January 15 in order to reach an agreement on automation. Analysts, shipping executives and customers were concerned that the parties could not resolve their impasse. This would lead to a second ILA-led strike, just days before Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2019. A three-day ILA walkout in October triggered an increase in shipping costs and cargo backlogs in the 36 ports affected. After employers agreed to an increase of 62% in wages over the next six year, longshoremen returned back to work. The ports from Maine to Texas are home to terminal operators such as APM, which is owned by Danish container carrier Maersk. Other major carriers, like China's COSCO and Switzerland's MSC, also have U.S.-based subsidiaries. ILA and USMX agreed to continue working under the current contract, until the union could meet with the full Wage Scale Committee in order to schedule a vote of ratification and USMX's members were able ratify the final contract.
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Union and employers reach agreement to avoid a second US port strike
The union that represents 45,000 dockworkers in the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coasts, and their employer groups said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative agreement on a six-year contract. This avoided a strike which could have disrupted supply chains and taken its toll on U.S. economic growth. In a joint press release, the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen's Association called the agreement a win-win that avoided a possible strike by landing ahead of the January 15th deadline for negotiations. The groups stated that "this agreement protects existing ILA jobs, establishes a frame work for implementing new technologies to create more jobs, while modernizing East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. It will make them safer and efficient and provide the capacity needed to keep our supply chain strong." Both sides agreed to operate under the current contract, until the union could meet with the full Wage Scale Committee in order to schedule a vote of ratification and USMX can ratify terms of the final agreement.
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In talks with Putin, PM Fico claims to have secured gas supplies for Slovakia
Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, said that he secured the country's gas supply when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month in Moscow. This was just a few days before Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas to Ukraine at the beginning of 2025. Fico stated in a Facebook video that he needed to ensure at least gas for Slovakian domestic consumption. We have done so. Fico didn't provide any more details, and the government office didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Fico accused Kyiv, of harming Slovakia, by refusing to extend a transit agreement for Russian gas which expired at the end 2024. He also threatened to reduce electricity flows to Ukraine as well as aid to its refugees. According to data from the Slovak gas network operator Eustream, Slovakia continues to receive gas through Hungary, which gets Russian gas via Turk Stream. This has been true since Ukraine stopped receiving gas. Fico stated that the Ukraine's stoppage has cost him 500 million euros as transit fees, and 1 billion euro in higher gas prices. Fico will meet with officials of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday to talk about the suspension of Ukraine's gas transit. Moscow will continue to lose revenue if Ukraine continues to be attacked by Russia, according Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, has accused Fico that he opened a second energy front against Ukraine at Russia's orders. (Reporting and editing by Kevin Liffey, Alistair Bell and Jason Hovet)
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Poland and Baltics look to protect energy assets after undersea cable cuts
The Baltic states are working with Poland to protect the energy facilities they need as they decouple their power grids from Russia, Lithuania's energy minister told Reuters, following damage to undersea cable televisions in the area. Polish and baltic state-run power grid operators are working on an arrangement to guarantee the smooth running of the decoupled system, and how to repair it if needed, Zygimantas Vaiciunas said in an interview on Tuesday. The goal is to have a common list, and settle on what procedures require to be taken, and settle on sources of financing them. And to implement it as quick as possible, he stated. Polish grid operator PSE individually informed Reuters that talks were underway with the Baltic states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - on joint projects to reinforce the protection of facilities in the area, and on obtaining European Union assistance for them. The Estlink 2 power cable between Estonia and Finland was harmed on Dec. 25, in the latest disturbance to facilities in the region considering that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia denies involvement. Finland on Dec. 27 took an oil tanker carrying Russian oil which it stated dragged an anchor through the seabed. Lithuania in reaction is charging elite police to protect its power link with Poland, which is meant to keep power in Baltic states running in sync with continental Europe, and its largest gas-fired power plant, both essential for the decoupling, stated Vaiciunas. This (Estlink 2 damage) had a direct impact on the decision to release authorities resources, Vaiciunas said. We used to believe that personal security is enough, now we see complete government's attention to security is required, he added. Lithuania is working to increase tracking of its NordBalt power link with Sweden, consisting of to guarantee that the cause of any damage is rapidly recognized, the minister stated. The power grids of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, members of both the European Union and NATO, are run in a typical grid with Russia and Belarus, a holdover from the times when the nations were ranged from Moscow. The Baltic states expect to decouple on Feb. 8, taking control of the obligation for running their own grid after years of upgrades that were supported by 1.6 billion euros ($ 1.7 billion). of European financing. Poland's PSE also stated it was working carefully with its. Ukrainian counterpart to guarantee the security of the link. linking Rzeszow in Poland with the Khmelnytsky nuclear power. station in Ukraine.
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Consortium providing to take over Malaysia Airports protects 84.1% stake
A consortium consisting of Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah and BlackRock's Global Facilities Partners that used to take over Malaysia Airports Holdings stated late on Wednesday it had secured an 84.1% stake of the company. The consortium, which includes Malaysia's Staff members Provident Fund and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, said it had reached the level as of Wednesday, moving it decisively towards the 90% limit to de-list Malaysia Airports. A stock filing on Monday revealed the deal had been extended to Jan. 17 from Wednesday. The consortium announced in May in 2015 a deal to get all shares in Malaysia Airports not currently owned by it at 11 ringgit per share, offering the airports operator an equity value of 18.4 billion ringgit ($ 4.09 billion). Malaysia Airports' shares have jumped 40.9% over the past one year, LSEG information showed. It ended Wednesday 1.3% higher at 10.78 ringgit.
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China's foreign ministry is unaware of the ban on US sanctioned ships by Shandong Port Group
China's Foreign Ministry said that it did not know about the decision by Shandong Port Group to ban U.S. sanctioned vessels in its east coast harbours. The group supervises several major terminals located in Shandong province, the main entry port for oil imported from Iran, Russia and Venezuela. These embargoed oil flows accounted for almost a fifth (or 5%) of all imports last year. If the ban was enforced, traders claim it would increase shipping costs for independent refining companies in Shandong. These are the main purchasers of discounted sanctioned oil from the three countries. It could also cause a slowdown in the importation of oil into China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that they did not know about the U.S. decision reported on Tuesday and reiterated China’s opposition to U.S. sanction. At a press conference held daily, the spokesperson stated that "I am not aware of any relevant information." They added that "China has always been firmly against the United States' lack of respect for international law, its illegal unilateral sanctions, and the use of long-arm jurisdictions without the authorization of the U.N. Security Council." (Reporting and editing by Liz Lee in Beijing, Lewis Jackson in Washington; Alexander Smith)
Key solar themes to track after torrid 2024 for investors: Maguire
Solar electrical energy generation posted its biggest ever yearly rise worldwide in 2024, Lots of investors in the solar sector are nursing heavy losses after share prices in major solar firms and exchangetraded funds collapsed.
The divergence between generation and returns highlights the difficulty facing investors who are looking to gain from direct exposure to the world's fastest-growing source of electricity.
Owning equity in companies engaged in the production of solar elements or in the setup of panel systems at generation websites was thought about an effective ways of tapping continued growth in renewable energy production and demand.
After the insolvency in August of the 40-year old U.S. firm Sunpower - which both produced panels and installed set up systems - a number of significant solar equities racked up substantial losses in 2024, forcing investors to reconsider their exposure.
Going forward, renewables stay at the heart of prepared expansions in electricity output worldwide, and planetary systems are still the fastest and most inexpensive method for utilities, organizations and families to scale up tidy energy generation.
Solar panel makers and installers still deal with obstacles on numerous fronts - from affordable rivals, labour shortages and high parts and financing costs - which indicates the solar sector may still face headwinds in 2025 and beyond.
Below are some crucial styles in the solar space that can assist investors comprehend the main developments that stand to shape tidy energy financial investment return potential going forward.
LEADING LIGHTS
China stays the main chauffeur of solar electrical energy production worldwide, and over the first 11 months of 2024 enhanced solar electricity output by a whopping 44% from the same months in 2023, according to energy think tank Cinder.
The roughly 779 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity produced by China's solar farms from January through November was by far the greatest in any country over that duration, and assisted China represent a record 41% share of worldwide solar generation.
Europe was the second biggest market for solar generation in 2024, producing around 338 TWh of solar electricity for the year as an entire (a 17.6% share of worldwide solar output), while the United States produced around 283 TWh (a 14.7% share).
Europe and the U.S. both generated record volumes of solar power last year, however both markets taped declines in their global share of solar production as China's growth rate sharply outpaced all other countries.
DOWNSHIFT
Solar generation levels are anticipated to continue growing in 2025 and beyond, but at a slower pace.
In China, Beijing has presented quotas on brand-new solar element production and on generation projects to control overcapacity, which should slow solar additions in the house.
Nevertheless, as China is without a doubt the world's biggest manufacturer of solar parts and systems, further growth in Chinese solar product exports is most likely.
That may bring the nation into additional conflict with trade partners, especially in Europe which is the leading destination for Chinese solar exports however is where Chinese firms have already been implicated of unreasonable trade practices.
Long-lasting weak financial development and high living expenses are sowing widespread political acrimony across Europe, and are in turn stimulating more support for protectionist policies designed to promote economic growth at home and secure regional services.
Additional economic weakness in early 2025 might likewise require cuts to federal government costs throughout Europe, which might in turn slow the development rate of renewable resource jobs by government-run utilities.
BUREAUCRACY DECREASES?
While the pace of solar energy growth may slow in Europe and China, the growth outlook in the United States is less clear.
Inbound President Donald Trump is an environment sceptic, has called some kinds of green energy production a scam, and is a. company advocate of enhancing domestic production of oil and. natural gas.
However, his administration is likewise expected to speed up. approval procedures for lifting total power output.
That suggests that while nonrenewable fuel source producers might get the. Green light to raise output, sustainable energy providers might. gain from much shorter grid-connection times and broad support for. projects that can quickly boost electrical power output.
And as solar jobs remain the quickest and least expensive way. to increase incremental electricity output across much of the U.S.,. solar designers may stay in high need even under a more. nonrenewable fuel source friendly administration.
That suggests that even with a prospective slowdown in solar. growth in key markets such as China and Europe, solar will. stay an essential part of the generation mix in the United States,. and solar organizations will see continued need for their. services and items.
Stock pickers who can recognize the solar firms more than likely. to win company from companies taken part in improving U.S. electricity. materials should in turn still have excellent growth capacity in. 2025, particularly from present historically low valuations. The viewpoints revealed here are those of the author, a market. expert .
(source: Reuters)