World:
¶ “Germany Transforms Some Former Coal Mines Into Europe’s Largest Lake Landscape” • Mining left huge craters in Germany’s landscape. Transforming them started in 1967 with the flooding of Lake Senftenberg. It is part of Lusatian Lakeland, Europe’s largest artificial water landscape. It draws visitors to its harbors, canals and campsites. [Euronews]
Lusatian Lake District (Dr Steinhuber, CC BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Energy Prices Set To Rise As Last Gulf Tankers Reach Europe, Analysts Say” • Energy analysts warn of surging energy prices beyond already elevated levels, as the last vessels carrying oil and natural gas from the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict have reached Europe. Oil and gas supply forecasts remain optimistic as US deliveries are expected. [Euronews]
¶ “The Balance Of Power In The World Is Shifting, And The US Will Be The Biggest Loser” • As a result of American bullying, the EU and NATO are stronger. Trump’s schtick is wearing thin and causing him to lose supporters. European countries now know beyond any doubt that the US is an unreliable ally whose word cannot be trusted. [CleanTechnica]
Donald Trump (The White House, public domain)
¶ “Evolve Energy And Shell Sign Race Bank Wind PPA Through 2035” • UK-based energy supplier Evolve Energy Supply has reached a long-term agreement with Shell Energy Europe for the purchase of electricity from the 573-MW Race Bank offshore wind farm in the UK North Sea. Under the PPA, 112 GWh will be delivered each year. [Power Technology]
¶ “Luxcara Reaches Close On Greek Solar Project” • Luxcara has reached financial close on an 83-MW solar PV project in Kozani, marking its first investment in Greece. The company said the project includes around 130,000 PV modules on single-axis trackers and is already under construction. Luxcara has a long-term PPA with Amazon for the project. [reNews]
Solar construction (Luxcara image)
¶ “Fossil Power Declines After Hormuz Block As Renewables Buffer Global Energy Shock” • As the fragile US-Iran ceasefire continues, so does uncertainty over both the humanitarian crisis in West Asia and the global energy system, particularly following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas flows. [Down To Earth]
¶ “Vestas Wins 70-MW Bulgarian Turbine Order” • Vestas won a 70-MW turbine order from Tessa Green Energy for a Bulgarian wind project. Vestas said it will supply eleven EnVentus 6.4-MW turbines for the Strazhitsa wind farm and provide a long-term management and service agreement. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. [reNews]
Wind turbines at sunset (Vestas image)
¶ “Crippled By Power Outages And Fuel Shortages, Cuban Homeowners Turn To Solar” • After having oil shipments into the country restricted by the US, Cuba has begun to focus more on clean energy from solar power, Reuters reported. Homes and businesses in Havana are starting to install solar panels to protect against power outages. [MSN]
¶ “RWE Installs Nordseecluster A Substations” • RWE installed two offshore substations at its Nordseecluster A wind project in the German North Sea. The company said the two platforms measure around 40 metres in length and 22 metres in height. One weighs 1800 and the other 2500 tonnes. Nordseecluster A has a planned capacity of 660 MW. [reNews]
Substation installation (RWE image)
¶ “Renewable Energy To Drive Global Power Capacity Growth” • Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are expected to drive the bulk of power capacity expansion in the coming years, a report by Centrum Institutional Research says. The report noted that the global power sector is in a structural shift toward clean energy, with renewables leading. [MSN]
¶ “Plaid Cymru Pledges To Make Wales A ‘World Leader’ In Renewable Energy” • Plaid Cymru has pledged to make Wales a “world leader” in renewable energy as the party set out its vision for the sector ahead of the Senedd election. The commitment comes as parties sharpen their policy offers before voters go to the polls on May 7. [Nation.Cymru]
Tythegston Wind Turbines (Steve Barnes, CC BY-SA 2.0)
US:
¶ “Sierra Club Rallies Public Engagement As Trump EPA Rolls Back Coal Ash Rules” • Over 133 million cubic yards of coal ash at North Carolina coal-fired power plants could more seriously impact local waterways after the EPA moved to weaken rules that have protected waters from toxic coal ash for over a decade. The Sierra Club responds. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Virginia Gov Spanberger Delivers On Energy Affordability, Blazing A Path For State Leaders Nationwide” • Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a slate of energy bills that will help reduce Virginians’ electricity bills, strengthen grid reliability, and boost the local economy by increasing solar and storage deployment in the Commonwealth. [CleanTechnica]
Abigail Spanberger in 2023 (USDAgov, public domain)
¶ “Only Six Auto Brands Had EV Sales Growth In USA In First Quarter 2026” • Out of more than a couple dozen auto brands, only six had EV sales growth in the first quarter compared to the first quarter of 2025. Here is a rundown on them, incuding big increases by Toyota and Lexus, but also Cadillac, Rivian, Ram, and Lucid. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Opponents defend barrier to nuclear power development” • Massachusetts lawmakers say they are embracing all forms of energy, including newer kinds of nuclear power, to help lower residents’ rising bills. But energy safety advocates want senators to reject provisions of the House energy bill that clears the path for new nuclear development. [WWLP]
Have a sensationally fine day.
geoharvey 