Opinion:
¶ “Theories On Venezuela Continue, But Is Greenland Next? And Who Else?” • When Donald Trump’s professional kidnappers snatched up Nicolás and Cilia Maduro, there was immediately confusion and a trove of questions about what was going on, why, and where it was all going to lead? Is it about oil? Distraction from Epstein? Or is it the power? [CleanTechnica]
Greenland (Jean-Christophe André, Pexels)
¶ “Everything You Need To Know About Venezuelan Oil In One Word: Jeffrey Epstein” • Like the proverbial bull in the china shop, US President Donald Trump spent his first year back in office the way any twice-impeached, convicted felon would: trying to distract public attention away from his relationship with a notorious sex offender. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Visible Signal Of Climate Extremes: Unexpected Wildflower Blooms Spark Concern” • Hundreds of wildflower species have bloomed this winter, as climate extremes trigger a drastic “shift” to their natural cycle. Following the extreme weather of 2025, the UK’s Met Office warned that the nation’s flora has become a “visible signal” of the climate crisis. [Euronews]
Daisies (micheile henderson, Unsplash)
¶ “Spain And Five Latin American Countries Reject US Attack On Venezuela” • Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay issued a joint statement rejecting ‘the unilateral military operations in Venezuela’ and warn against exploiting its natural resources. They say the operation to oust Maduro was a violation of international law. [Euronews]
¶ “From Riverboats To Global Ports: CATL Is Winning The Race To Electrify Shipping” • CATL batteries and power management systems are already operating in roughly 900 ships and vessels, a figure that on its own should reframe how maritime emissions reduction is discussed. Now, a CATL subsidiary has unveiled its Ship-Shore-Cloud electric strategy. [CleanTechnica]
Electric ship (Incat Tasmania image)
¶ “In Venezuela, It’s All About The Oil” • What happened this past weekend in Venezuela was just the latest bit of skulduggery by the US concerning oil. Shortly after the news of the operation broke, Bill McKibben wrote on Substack, “Just Possibly It’s The Oil?” Then he posted this graphic, which strongly suggests the answer to his question. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Taiwan Plans 3.6-GW Round 3.3 Auction'” • At least 3,600 MW of capacity will be released in Taiwan’s forthcoming offshore wind round, according to reports. The draft framework for Round 3.3 is expected to be announced soon, local media said. Further consultation with developers and supply chain companies will follow. [reNews]
Offshore foundations (Ørsted image)
¶ “Solar Energy Expands Its Role In Germany’s Power Mix” • In Germany, Solar power increased markedly in 2025, with PVs meeting around 18% of the country’s demand for electricity, up from 14% in 2024, according to the German Solar Industry Association. Solar energy surpassed lignite, which contributed about 14%, and natural gas, at roughly 16%. [Sharjah24]
¶ “Goto Floating Wind Farm Starts Operation” • The Goto Floating Wind Farm consortium said the Goto offshore wind farm is operatin. The company’s owners include Toda, Eneos, and Kanai Electric. It said the facility is Japan’s first commercial floating offshore wind project to be certified under the Marine Renewable Energy Sea-Area Utilization Act. [reNews]
Goto offshore wind farm (Goto image)
¶ “ACEN Completes Transition To Renewable Energy” • Energy company ACEN has secured 100% renewable energy generation portfolio backed by over 7 GW of attributable capacity. ACEN said its portfolio is composed of 4,634 MW of solar power, 1,957 MW of wind power, 115 MW of geothermal power, and 304 MW of battery storage. [Asian Power]
¶ “Nordex Lands 508-MW Of Orders In Canada” • The Nordex group has secured 508 MW of repeat turbine orders in Canada comprising 73 units in two deals. The company said they feature N163 machines and, for the first time in the country, N175/6.X turbines. It said that each contract includes long-term servicing agreements for the projects. [reNews]
Nordex turbine (Nordex image)
¶ “Cherry-Picked Quake Data May Have Been Submitted For Hamaoka Nuclear Plant” • Chubu Electric Power President Kingo Hayashi said the company may have cherry-picked earthquake data that caused authorities to screen safety standards at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka Prefecture based on weaker quake projections. [The Japan Times]
US:
¶ “Fighting Antisemitism One Solar Field At A Time” • One energy developer discovered an unexpected and effective way to confront antisemitism: Live Jewish values openly and work with American communities that already share them. It turns out that Jewish values and American values are essencially the same, even if some have yet to recognize it. [The Jerusalem Post]
Solar plant in New York (US DOE, public domain)
¶ “Rubio Predicts ‘Dramatic Interest’ In Venezuela From Western Oil Companies” • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the Trump administration is “pretty certain” that Western oil companies will be willing to return to Venezuela. However, he would not say if US troops would be used to secure the country’s oil fields. [ABC News]
¶ “‘You Can’t Reduce Carbon Emissions When You Can Pollute For Free’ – Sheldon Whitehouse” • Senator Sheldon Whitehouse does see “a pathway to climate safety,” and it’s a direct, in-your-face, fight ’em where they are strategy. “We should call out the climate denial fraud operation as climate denial fraud. It is fraud,” he reiterates. “Say so.” [CleanTechnica]
Have a wholly superb day.
geoharvey 
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