March 22 Energy News

March 22, 2026

World:

¶ “Is Europe Going To Be Forced To Return To Nuclear Energy?” • The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed as the Iran war goes on, pushing energy prices up and once again showing Europe’s deep vulnerabilities. As the EU imports over 50% of its energy, the debate over a nuclear revival to ensure independence and affordability has been reignited. [Euronews]

Czech nuclear plant (Lukáš Lehotský, Unsplash)

¶ “Africa’s Solar Boom Faces Higher Costs As China Cuts Export Subsidies” • China’s decision to end value-added tax rebates on solar panel exports and phase out incentives for making battery storage equipment could push up the cost of solar installations in Africa, which relies heavily on imported Chinese technology. So Africa’s already high costs could increase. [AP News]

¶ “War’s Long Lines, Hunger, and Health Crises” • The ripple effects of the shipping standstill in the Strait of Hormuz are already being felt in the region and around the world. Increasing energy, fuel, and fertilizer costs have intensified hunger in and beyond the Middle East. Many people are suffering. How would we survive in the same situation? [CleanTechnica]

LPG shortage in India (Nizil Shah, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped)

¶ “Key Agreements To Power WA’s Renewable Energy Future” • The Cook Government’s energy transition has reached a major milestone, with government agreeing to buy power from soon-to-be-built wind farms in regional Western Australia. Once they are complete, the wind farms will produce enough energy each year to power over 800,000 homes. [Mirage News]

¶ “Renewable Energy Looks Stronger As Europe Rethinks Fossil Fuel Dependence” • Europe just got warned again about the cost of fossil fuels. After the war on Iran rattled energy markets, the UE’s leaders started making a point that now feels hard to ignore. The fastest path to low costs, energy security, and environmental safety is homegrown clean power. [One Green Planet]

Wind turbines (Vidar Nordli-Mathisen, Unsplash)

¶ “Sungrow Powers Green Urban Mobility Hub In Sweden With Solar And Battery Storage” • Sungrow, an inverter and energy storage system provider, partnered with Parkering Malmö and Truxco Energy in a project that blends solar generating capacity, intelligent battery storage, and EV charging to turn a parking garage into a clean energy hub. [TaiyangNews]

¶ “Trump Threatens Attacks On Iranian Power Plants Over Opening Strait Of Hormuz” • President Trump warned that the US will “obliterate” power plants in Iran if the Islamic Republic doesn’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Trump issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend at his Florida home. [MSN]

Wind turbines in Iran (Ali Madjfar, CC BY-SA 2.5)

¶ “Why Iran’s Missile Strike Near Israel’s Dimona Could Portend A Nuclear Disaster” • Iran has hit Israel’s Dimona town after threatening to target Israel’s Dimona nuclear site if the US and Israel push for regime change in Tehran. The heavily guarded facility in the Negev Desert is believed to be central to Israel’s nuclear weapons program. [WION]

US:

¶ “Hawaii Faces Growing Risk To Old Dam Amid Increasing Floods: Challenges In A Changing Climate” • Hawaii has been hit by its most severe flooding in over twenty years, as a Kona low unleashed unprecedented rainfall on already saturated ground. Like the heat in the Southwest, this is the result of a single, slow-moving atmospheric system. [Bitget]

Kona low near Hawaii (GOES imagery, CSU, CIRA & NOAA)

¶ “Copper’s Battery-Equipped Induction Range Makes Storage And Electrification Accessible” • Copper’s electric range stood out at a show targeting professionals. The design is simple and attractive. But the thing that really makes it exciting is the battery in the base of the range. It means the stove can run on a regular 110-V outlet. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “MAGA Suddenly Loves Solar Power” • Media watchers have noticed that some right wing pundits Katie Miller and KellyAnne Conway are all of a sudden saying nice things about solar power. Really? How special! Maybe they can get Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to relax the new restrictions on federal funding for solar projects on farmland. [CleanTechnica]

Solar power (Courtesy of the US DOE)

¶ “The US Broke The All-Time Heat Record For March. Yes, It’s Climate Change” • An unprecedented heat wave in the West has broken the record for the hottest March temperature anywhere in the US. Yuma, Arizona, hit 109°F on Friday afternoon. It’s an alarming signal of how hot the planet is getting and how fast it’s happening. [AOL.com]

¶ “When Indigenous Knowledge And Climate Science Meet, Good Things Happen” • Tribal leaders and climate coordinators are working together to implement strategies for protecting lands from environmental challenges and a changing climate. They are using Indigenous expertise as their guide for ecosystem management.[Sierra Club]

Have a plainly sensational day.

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