World:
¶ “Increase In Carbon Dioxide Levels Reached A Record High In 2024” • According to Yale Environment 360, CO₂ is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than ever, putting hopes of limiting warming in jeopardy. The proof is the data from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, which has been tracking the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere for 60 years. [CleanTechnica]
Increase in CO₂ at Mauna Loa (NASA image)
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Ørsted Unveils 320-MW UK Solar Project” • Ørsted has shared plans for a 320MW solar project in northern England. Residents are being invited to provide their feedback on the proposals for the Kingfisher solar project in the East Riding area of Yorkshire, during an early non-statutory consultation from February 3 to March 9, 2025. [reNews]
“EnBW Commissions German Wind Farm” • Developer EnBW has commissioned a wind farm in Germany following delays in grid connection. Construction of the Wulkow-Trebnitz wind farm’s turbines was completed in 2023 but the project was held back by delays in connecting to the grid, the company said. The project was permitted in 2020. [reNews]
Wulkow-Trebnitz wind farm (EnBW image)
¶ “China’s Renewable Energy Capacity Installations Surge to Record High” • Chinese installations of solar and wind power jumped last year as the country continued to lead globally in new additions and beat its own records. In 2024, China added 277 GW of solar capacity, up 45.2% from 2023, while new wind generating capacity came to 80 GW. [OilPrice.com]
¶ “Saudi Arabia Commissions Its Largest Battery Energy Storage System” • Saudi Arabia connected its largest battery system to the grid. The project proponents describe the 500-MW, 2000-MWh battery development in the southwestern Saudi Arabian province of ‘Asir, as the world’s largest operational single-phase energy storage project. [pv magazine International]
Battery system (China Power image)
¶ “Labor’s Green Aluminum Play Is Canny Politics, Not Least For Exposing Dutton’s Energy Ignorance” • After federal Labor’s announcement of a A$2 billion green aluminum production credit scheme, anyone who isn’t loudly singing its praises is most likely in the Liberal National Party. The aluminum industry needs cheap power, not nuclear. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “India’s Green Investments To Surge Fivefold Through 2030” • India is expected to have a fivefold increase in green investments to reach ₹31 lakh crore ($350 billion) between 2025 and 2030. Around ₹19 lakh crore is expected to go into renewable energy and storage, ₹4.1 lakh crore into the transport sectors, and ₹3.3 lakh crore into oil and gas. [Asian Power]
Wind turbines (arunpnair_787, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Trump Calls North Korea A ‘Nuclear Power,’ Drawing A Rebuke From Seoul” • Denuclearization of North Korea is a prerequisite for global stability, South Korea said after President Donald Trump described the reclusive regime as a “nuclear power,” raising concern that the US could be moving toward recognizing the North as a nuclear-armed state. [NBC News]
US:
¶ “Trump’s Agenda To Change The Nation’s Approach To Climate Issues On Day 1” • On the first day of his second term, President Trump announced his energy and environmental policy priorities. He declared a “national energy emergency,” rolled back vehicle emissions standards, and withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement. [ABC News]
Pres Trump (The Trump White House, public domain)
¶ “Trump Renames Gulf Of Mexico To ‘Gulf Of America’ Among First Executive Orders” • Among the first executive orders signed by President Donald Trump was an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” Now much of our oil capacity and many of our hurricanes can be properly assigned to the country they come from. [ABC News]
¶ “Trump Halts Offshore Wind Leasing And Permitting” • US President Donald Trump has put a temporary halt to offshore wind lease sales and paused permits for both onshore and offshore wind projects. Renewable energy companies have reacted with dismay after the President signed his wind energy executive order yesterday. [reNews]
Donald Trump (Gage Skidmore, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Donald Trump Reverses Joe Biden’s LNG Pause On Day 1” • Donald Trump has taken office. One of his first “presidential” actions has been to end the pause on liquefied natural gas exports. More fossil fuels are allowed to flow again. The US DOE’s statement on the issue is in the article. There’s nothing positive to say here. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Louisiana Aims To Dominate US Offshore Wind Industry” • If President Trump carries through on his promise to blow up the offshore wind industry, public officials in the deep red state of Louisiana may be hoping they don’t get hit by falling debris. Louisiana’s leading role in the offshore wind industry surfaced during the Obama administration. [CleanTechnica]
SouthCoast Wind (Courtesy of Ocean wind)
¶ “Six Organizations Join US Green Workforce Collaborative” • The most critical resource needed in the ongoing transition to electric vehicles isn’t lithium, silicon, or nickel. It is an adequate workforce. Training people for the green industrial workforce needed for the 21st century industrial revolution is critically important. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Vineyard Wind To Remove Canadian-Made GE Blades” • The 804-MW CIP-Avangrid joint venture Vineyard Wind will be required to remove all turbine blades made at GE Vernova’s LM Wind Power facility in Gaspe, Canada from the array, under a plan issued by the US government. The plan allows Vineyard Wind to resume blade installation. [reNews]
Have an inspiringly care-free day.
geoharvey 
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