Opinion:
¶ “The Petroleum System Is Entering A Volatile Decline” • Oil demand is beginning to bend under the weight of EVs, electric trucks, efficiency, and more. That should suggest a calmer oil market, with lower prices as demand falls. But the opposite is a more interesting possibility. The petroleum system might get less stable as it declines. [CleanTechnica]
Storm clouds (Felix Mittermeier, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “‘Itching To Pump More Oil’: What Could The UAE’s Exit From OPEC Mean For The Climate?” • In recent years, the UAE has pushed back against OPEC production quotas that it felt were too low – meaning it wasn’t able to sell as much oil to the world as it wanted to. Now is on track to realize that goal with its exit from oil cartel OPEC. [Euronews]
¶ “EU Loosens State Aid Rules” • The EU will ease its strict state aid rules to help fuel-dependent sectors cope with higher energy prices and other economic effects of the crisis in the Middle East. With the emergency measures, member nations can subsidize up to 70% of extra costs of fuel and fertilizers for farmers, fishing firms, and road transport carriers. [Euronews]
Fishing village in Norway (Arvid Høidahl, Unsplash)
¶ “EU Backs Ending New Oil And Gas Drilling” • Despite the war in the Middle East, the world should still ditch new fossil fuel drilling, EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said. He insisted on “affordable, reliable, homegrown clean energy,” and he said that science-driven, measurable steps should be identified to support the transition from fossil fuels. [Euronews]
¶ “International LNG Prices Rise As Strait Of Hormuz Is Closed” • Prices for natural gas in Europe and Asia have diverged from those in the US since February 28, when the Strait of Hormuz was closed. While international prices rose markedly, prices in the US have decreased 9% due to limited opportunities for LNG exports to increase in the near term. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Britain Embraces Solar Revolution Following War In Iran” • In the UK, new government data shows that more than 27,000 solar installations were completed in March 2026. The figure is the highest for one month since 2012. It bringing the total number of solar installations across the UK to more than two million for the first time. [GOV.UK]
¶ “CATL Inks Deal For 60 GWh Of Sodium-Ion Batteries Over Three Years” • Just last week, CATL had news about its latest iteration of a sodium-ion battery for EVs. And now, the company announced it has entered into an agreement with HyperStrong to supply it with 60 GWh of sodium-ion batteries over the next three years. [CleanTechnica]
Sodium-ion signing ceremony (HyperStrong image)
¶ “TotalEnergies Starts 440-MW Philippines Solar Build” • TotalEnergies and Nextnorth have reached financial close and started construction of a 440-MW solar plant in the Philippines. The companies said the project in Ilagan, Isabela province is owned 65% by TotalEnergies and 35% by Nextnorth and is due online by the end of 2027. [reNews]
¶ “Cadeler Mobilises Vessels For Hornsea 3” • Cadeler mobilized its Wind Ally and Wind Orca vessels for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. Wind Ally mobilized in the Port of Rotterdam and arrived at Steel River Quay in Teesworks for monopile loading. Wind Orca completed maintenance and mobilisation in Port Esbjerg, Odense Port, and the Port of Tyne. [reNews]
Cadeler jackup vessel (Cadeler image)
¶ “Renewables Growth Cut Spain’s Electricity Bills By 24.2% Over The Past Two Years” • A report notes that European electricity prices climbed well above those in other major economies, and natural gas prices still exert influence on electricity markets. Their role in price formation has weakened in several countries. Spain is a key example. [pv magazine International]
¶ “US Says It Is Ready To Allocate Up To $100 Million To Restore Chenobyl Nuclear Power Plant’s Arch” • The US is ready to cover up to 20% of the G7’s projected costs for repairing the New Safe Confinement (the Arch), which was damaged by a Russian drone strike. The Arch was originally designed to last 100 years, but no longer provides proper protection. [Ukrainska Pravda]
The Arch (Jorge Franganillo, CC BY-SA 2.0)
US:
¶ “Trump Met With Oil And Gas Executives As Iran War Drags On” • As fuel prices keep rising, the White House confirmed that President Trump and some of his top officials met with oil and gas executives. They discussed “steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers.” [ABC News]
¶ “One Of America’s Oldest Weather Observatories Shows The Science Behind Our Climate” • Weather observers at Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, a weather station fifteen miles south of Boston, have conducted weather observations every day for 141 years, building a continuous record of temperature, wind, precipitation, and other measurements. [ABC News]
Blue Hill Weather Observatory (Jameslwoodward, CC BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars No; Fuel Cell Combat Drones Yes” • Hydrogen fuel cell cars have yet to do well in the EV movement, but military researchers and defense suppliers have been poking into fuel cell technology throughout the 21st century. Their work is starting to show up in airborne, ground, and seaborne drones on the battlefield. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Graphic Packaging Holding Company Signs 250-MW Solar Agreement With NextEra Energy” • Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, made a virtual power purchase agreement with NextEra Energy Resources. NextEra plans to build a 250-MW solar energy plant in West Texas. [Yahoo Finance Singapore]
Have a reasonably mirthful day.
geoharvey 
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