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Welcome to the latest Resources Intelligence Report.
You might think from this past week’s coverage by the NetZero Insider team that the U.S. offshore wind industry is imploding. It is not, yet, but it has some very significant problems. There are some bits of relatively good news here and there.
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New Jersey abandoned its fourth offshore wind solicitation, a striking turn of events in a state with some of the nation’s most ambitious offshore wind goals. Hugh Morley reports that the state opted to not award contracts because two proposals were withdrawn, half the development team bailed out of a third proposed project, and President Trump is trying to halt development of all projects.
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Three major European offshore wind players delivered grim assessments of the U.S. market with their year-end earnings reports. John Cropley listened in on the investor calls and has the details. He also reports on one of the companies, Ørsted, replacing its CEO after repeated losses in the U.S. market.
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Finally, Dominion Energy reported that Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind will cost $10.7B, or 9% higher than originally anticipated. Here’s the good news: The increase is due mostly to onshore PJM upgrades — construction of the wind farm itself is progressing on time and otherwise on budget. Cropley again.
Cropley is the bearer of more bad news, this time in his native New York, where a new report quantifies just how slowly the energy transition is progressing. For 2023, renewables provided just 23.2% of electricity in a state legally mandated to reach 70% by 2030. That’s down from 25.1% a year earlier, and 18% of the state’s renewable power came from decades-old hydroelectric facilities.
K Kaufmann fills us in on a success story: The U.S. is manufacturing more solar panels than it installs, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. But upstream production of materials such as cells, ingots and wafers lags far behind. Also — stop us if you’ve heard this before — policy changes by the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress could throw a wrench in the works.
Cropley also has details on two nuclear proposals:
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In its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, Georgia Power proposes to uprate four of its reactors as part of a series of steps to meet anticipated demand. It also wants to refurbish numerous hydropower facilities and, to the chagrin of environmentalists, extend the operating lives of some coal- and natural-gas burning units.
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Arizona’s three largest electric utilities have teamed up to potentially develop nuclear power. Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power are seeking federal grant money to get the process rolling; if a project went forward, site selection would not be complete much before 2030 and commercial operation would not be expected to start until the early 2040s.
In coverage from other media outlets:
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Finally, in California, The Associated Press and Environment + Energy Leader examine the demise of what was once the world’s largest solar-thermal power plant, and the decline of the concentrated solar power technology on which it relies.
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report.
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Montana
The loan facility was approved to fund the construction and expansion of the renewable fuels facility in Great Falls, Montana, owned by Montana Renewables. EnergyTech
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Arkansas
Svante Technologies will develop the CCS project at the Ashdown Pulp Mill facility in Arkansas. EnergyTech
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International
China retaliated against President Donald Trump's tariffs by slapping duties on U.S. coal, liquefied natural gas and minerals. Greenwire
U.S.
Once the dominant source of energy in the United States, today, 401 coal units supply roughly 16 percent of the nation's grid. The New York Times
U.S.
What the economics of coal-rich states like Wyoming tells us about the transition away from the dirtiest fossil fuel. The New York Times
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International
China hits US LNG and coal exports with tariffs after Trump goes forward with 10% tariffs BBC
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North Carolina
NC's biggest utility is among 10 companies that have written to Trump's new EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, asking for relief from a key Biden emissions rule, as well as coal ash disposal requirements. Inside Climate News
Texas
Harrington, whose three units have 1,018 MW of generation capacity, was Xcel's first coal-fired power plant in Texas. POWER
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U.S.
Electricity demand and distribution technologies won't solve the entire problem but they can provide immediate relief, writes Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure. Utility Dive
U.S.
20,000 customers of solar firm Sunrun are in VPP programs and their output totaled a standard fossil plant last year Solar Builder Magazine
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U.S.
Doug Burgum's order would hobble clean energy development, hinder protections for migratory birds and endangered species and open significant landscapes to resource extraction. Inside Climate News
U.S.
"Net-zero policies raise energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national security," DOE Secretary Wright said. Utility Dive
U.S.
Real-world constraints -- such as market dynamics, environmental concerns, and technological advances in renewables -- will shape the energy transition. Environment + Energy Leader
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California
At its core, FPH2 operates as an aggregator and intermediary, connecting renewable hydrogen suppliers with diverse users, including municipalities, transit agencies, industrial operators, and the private sector. Hydrogen Fuel News
New Mexico
Located at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the system will power a wildlife surveillance camera system and a weather station. Microgrid Knowledge
New York
US firm will publish weekly prices based on supply and demand from its centres, and sell some of its LH2 on a spot basis. Hydrogen Insight
Pennsylvania
With Pennsylvania standing as the second-largest natural gas-producing state in the U.S., this initiative builds on its energy leadership by integrating advanced technologies like hydrogen fuels. Hydrogen Fuel News
U.S.
Speaking during quarterly earning calls, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. executives addressed continued pursuits of carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. Yahoo
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U.S.
Unlike wind and solar, hydropower is included in the president's orders to "unleash American energy." Energywire
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Alaska
Sen. Sullivan (R-Alaska) urges Japan and other allies to invest in gas from the state, otherwise China will U.S. News & World Report
International
Slower economic growth in China and India could mean lower demand for global LNG Natural Gas Intelligence
International
Europe barely meets gas storage targets, will have trouble attracting extra LNG in the summer. France fell short of its share of EU target. Bloomberg
International
Yuya Hasegawa, a division director at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, told a conference in Tokyo that there is an expectation that power demand will expand due to the growth of data centres in the country. Reuters
Texas
Freeport LNG in Texas agrees to pay $1.5 million fine after probe of 2022 explosion E&E News
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International
Elon Musk's Tesla is spearheading an effort to block new tariffs on graphite imports from China, pitting Donald Trump's richest backer against the president's favorite economic tool. Bloomberg
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International
Canadian Government helped TC Energy pitch natural gas to Mexico, arguing pipeline serving Yucatan is a step to net zero The Narwhal
International
With uncertainty around North American trade, Quebec reconsidering pipeline from Western Canada to export LNG export facility there MSN
International
Europe will do better to fund more LNG imports, restock stores, then bet on cheaperer energy in the future Bloomberg
International
To wean itself off Russian natural gas, Europe has found new sources of energy, including imports from the United States. But high costs are straining the economy. The New York Times
International
Article argues Trump's Gaza takeover plan would involve developing offshore gas for European markets Asia Times
Maryland
Maryland AG, legislators want BGE to cut back on gas infrastructure spending to cut consumer bills and have introduced bill requiring thaht Baltimore Sun
Mississippi
Mississippi state bill clears Senate committee, which would classify natural gas as clean energy, despite its emissions Mississippi Today
New England
New England had to rely on coal and oil in recent cold snap as gas generation was curtailed Power Engineering
North Carolina
MVP pipeline files to extend its reach by 31 miles to serve customers in North Carolina - Duke and Enbridge Raleigh News & Observer
Ohio
120 MW gas plant proposed to serve a new data center in Ohio Business Insider
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legislation would direct state to find sites for gas development, another bill would establish Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund. Pennsylvania Business Report
U.S.
Chevron plans to build co-located gas plants with data centers - labeling them "natural gas foundaries" Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
EIA analyzes ownership structures of natural gas plants in the US - utilities have overtaken IPPs in the last decade, but the two own most plants (large customers the rest) EIA
Wisconsin
WE Energies effort to site a new natural gas plant are discussed - would add reliable power, but comes with environmental impact Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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International
European countries turning to coal as LNG costs make the older power plants more economical Reuters
International
Japan considering investment in $44 billion Alaskan pipeline for gas to curry favor with Trump Admin. Reuters
International
German parliament extends LNG subsidies for four years, will help attract more US LNG exports Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Trade war with China, a major gas importer, threatens new LNG export facilities' business cases Reuters
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California
Focused is building upon LLNL's groundbreaking work by pursuing direct drive laser fusion. POWER
International
Their findings raise some concerns while reducing others; for example, quartz crystals in concrete can heal themselves, potentially allowing some reactors to run for longer than initially thought possible. Tech Xplore
Michigan
The NRC released its environmental report on the controversial plan to re-power the facility. mlive
Michigan
Critics say bumpy early days of the new administration don't bode well for the industry. Grist
South Carolina
The unfinished reactors are symbols of stalled ambition and sunk costs, but now, there's a real opportunity to turn this story around. The State
South Carolina
Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state-owned utility, wants to sell two famously unfinished and abandoned nuclear reactor units. The State
Tennessee
Hermes is the first non-light-water reactor to be permitted in the USA in over 50 years. World Nuclear News
Texas
The state public higher education system on Feb. 4 said it picked Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Natura Resources, and Aalo Atomics after a formal process. POWER
U.S.
Reviving nuclear power plants to power AI threatens an avalanche of nuclear waste. Scientific American
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International
Offshore wind energy is expensive and is getting even more expensive due to supply chain issues and high interest rates. Wind development companies are canceling projects not only in the United States but also around the world. The Institute for Energy Research
International
Nation will look to offer 'more attractive terms' following flop of earlier round, says energy minister. Recharge
International
The move is a response to increasingly crowded seas, which can cause a so-called wake effect -- a loss in output from wind farms built too close together. Energywire
International
RUK's latest Offshore Wind EnergyPulse Insights report reveals offshore wind capacity is now at 80.9GW, up from 70.2GW in 2023, an increase of 15%. reNEWS.biz
International
Manufacturer has kept details of its prototype 21.5-MW offshore wind machine shrouded in secrecy. Recharge
New Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy wants state lawmakers to codify his goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035. Climatewire
New Jersey
Ultimately, it seems like the entire scheme became unsustainable, and it would have been even in the absence of Trump's hostility toward offshore wind projects. National Review
Texas
The Charybdis, now 96% complete at Seatrium AmFELS shipyard, will support the construction of the nation's largest approved offshore wind project -- the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. gCaptain
U.S.
Vestas and Siemens Gamesa are among key European suppliers to US wind sector Recharge
U.S.
The order and Trump's long-held antipathy toward wind power are creating massive uncertainty for a renewable energy industry at its nascent stage of development in the U.S. The Conversation
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International
The oil cartel gave no reason for the move, which comes despite warming ties between US and Saudi Arabia. Financial Times
U.S.
Hundreds of idle oil leases sit untapped in the Gulf of Mexico. Grist
International
Some oil refineries will probably struggle to replace imported crude oil if President Trump imposes 25% tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico. The New York Times
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U.S.
Small oil and gas sites are leakier than large ones, EDF and Harvard paper finds - 70% of emissions come from sites emitting less than 100 kg per hour POLITICO
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International
Two companies aim to install over 164-foot-long blades as early as next year. Popular Science
U.S.
The new administration's hostility to wind power raises questions for alternative energy in farm country. Greenwire
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Georgia
The state's largest supplier of electricity says it plans to provide a varied mix of energy and the necessary infrastructure to build up its electrical grid to meet the state's short- and long-term economic needs. Georgia Recorder
Maine
The technology produces biocrude from forest and agricultural residues using Ensyn's proprietary thermal technology. Mainebiz
U.S.
Renewable energy industry leaders told Newsweek they still foresee solid growth for clean power. Further, these insiders said, they see signs of more bipartisan support for renewables and even some common ground with Trump's energy goals Newsweek
U.S.
Engie won 4.3 gigawatts of power purchase agreement deals globally in 2024, up from 2.7 GW in 2023, with 1.5 GW signed in the U.S. spanning eight projects. Reuters
U.S.
Critics say Trump is using every presidential power possible against clean power in sharp turn after Biden investments created jobs. The Guardian
U.S.
Clean-energy executives are tailoring their pitches for President Donald Trump and his political allies. The Washington Post
U.S.
The ease with which President Trump has reversed his predecessors' energy agenda has stunned not only Democrats but also the global environmental establishment, writes Diana Furchtgott-Roth, director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment. The Heritage Foundation
U.S.
Renewable energy is not just an environmental necessity, it is an economic opportunity. RealClearEnergy
U.S.
The American Clean Power Association wrote to its members about federal guidance that has been "widely variable and changing quickly." Heatmap
Virginia
Virginia may have a majority in favor of more renewable energy at the state level, but the localities where energy facilities are likely to be don't always support that goal, writes Cardinal News Editor Dwayne Yancey. Cardinal News
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Arizona
Solar advocacy groups are challenging a grid access charge approved last year by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Energywire
Maine
Republican lawmakers introduced several bills to repeal net energy billing program. Maine Morning Star
U.S.
Solar for All, its funding paused by a Trump executive order, would be just one of the programs to lose support if the agency goes through with mass-firings. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The run-up was not sustainable, McKinsey reports. McKinsey & Company
Wyoming
Wyoming Senator Case has yet again submitted legislation to limit net metering, jeopardizing the grassroots growth of small-scale solar power. pv magazine
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Pennsylvania
The utility-scale inverters will be manufactured at GE Vernova's Pittsburgh facility as part of a $10 million investment. pv magazine
South Carolina
The state's largest utility-scale solar installation yet will come online this year. It could spur more projects across the state, but pending legislation puts the future of solar at risk. Inside Climate News
Virginia
The solar industry is used to struggling for every foothold it gets in Virginia, but these new challenges come at a particularly bad time. With data center growth creating huge pressures on our electricity supply, Virginia needs more clean energy in every size range, and needs it now, writes former EPA employee and current Sierra Club renewable energy chairperson Ivy Main. Virginia Mercury
West Virginia
Across the country, and in states like West Virginia, prime farmland is increasingly being converted into solar panel installations, raising questions about the long-term impact on local economies and agricultural production. With solar energy production expanding rapidly, finding ways to integrate both industries is becoming a key discussion among farmers, policymakers, and energy developers. WVNews
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Arizona
The CEO and founder of KORE Power has resigned, while the vertically integrated battery storage startup has put its Arizona factory site up for sale. Energy Storage News
California
The about-face is one of a slew of renewable energy rethinks since the Trump administration took office on 20 January. IEEE Spectrum
California
Residents describe experiences of sore throats and other symptoms. The energy storage industry insists that this incident is an extreme outlier. Inside Climate News
International
A second life for EV batteries could hold the key to improving vehicle residual values, according to industry experts. EVs are suffering from lower resale values, negatively impacting the vehicle leasing business model. However, Connected Energy believes that repurposing those batteries at vehicle end of life can help to solve this problem. The Energyst
International
Tesla has reported record quarterly and full-year deployment figures for its Megapack and Powerwall battery storage products in its latest financial results. Energy Storage News
Texas
IPP Enfinity Global has announced two battery energy storage system projects in Texas with a total capacity of 425MW/850MWh. Energy Storage News
U.S.
When the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law two years ago, it laid out a target to achieve 100% clean electricity a decade from now. This ambition has since stimulated major investment in renewable technologies and infrastructure totalling close to $500 billion. Energy Storage News
U.S.
The Solar Energy Industries Association has released a whitepaper recommending the U.S. deploy 10 million distributed solar installations and reach 700GWh of installed energy storage capacity by 2030. Energy Storage News
U.S.
Insights into the future prospects for the energy storage sector under the Trump administration from a panel of experts convened by Tamarindo, in partnership with Troutman Pepper Locke. Troutman Pepper
U.S.
A massive fire in California comes amid a debate over where to install batteries essential for storing up wind and solar power. E&E News
U.S.
A recent webinar by Clean Energy States Alliance highlighted how the Investment Tax Credit for standalone storage has supercharged growth, but new import duties and supply chain risks could slow progress. pv magazine
Washington
The Yakama Nation is considering a roughly 500-megawatt advanced rail energy storage project. Northwest Public Broadcasting
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U.S.
Western day-ahead markets will improve the status quo but should be seen as a "way station" to even more efficient RTO-like dispatch, writes Scott Miller, executive director of the Western Power Trading Forum. Utility Dive
U.S.
The report finds that all 50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico, took actions related to grid modernization during 2024, with the greatest number of actions relating to energy storage deployment, utility business model reforms, interconnection rules, performance-based regulation, and distribution system planning rules. North American Clean Energy
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California
What was once the world's largest solar power plant of its type appears headed for closure, under pressure from cheaper green energy sources. The Associated Press
California
Once a breakthrough in solar-thermal power, the facility faces closure due to high costs, environmental concerns, and shifting technology. Environment + Energy Leader
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International
US President reached last-minute deals to delay imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico but threat looms large over wind industry. Recharge
U.S.
The offshore and onshore wind sectors are in full-blown panic mode. The Spectator World
U.S.
US President Donald Trump and his anti-wind crusade have returned to power, mirroring a global trend of denouncing wind energy. Power Technology
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