South Africa's transition to renewable energy in Mpumalanga, a coal-centric region, is gaining momentum with the Just Energy Transition Partnership promising investment and green jobs. However, research warns that without intentional design, benefits may not reach coal-affected communities. Renewable energy projects mainly offer short-term construction jobs, with few permanent roles filled by non-local workers due to skills gaps and distance from coal towns. To ensure a just transition, initiatives like local hiring, training, apprenticeships, and community involvement are crucial. Key actions include requiring community impact plans, strengthening training programs, supporting coal workers, and tracking outcomes to ensure shared prosperity and fairness in the transition.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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8 reasons to celebrate on this International Day of Clean Energy
The world is experiencing a significant shift towards clean, renewable energy, with investment surpassing that in fossil fuels and over 80 countries calling for a roadmap to phase out coal, oil, and gas. Investor behavior is changing towards sustainable investing, with big investors tightening rules for fossil fuel companies. Courts and legal standards are moving towards climate accountability, and even conservative energy authorities are advocating for no new oil and gas fields to be approved. The path forward involves stopping new fossil fuel expansion, building an alternative clean energy system, and holding decision-makers accountable for the transition.
https://350.org/8-reasons-to-celebrate-on-this-international-day-of-clean-energy/
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Nigerian Businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet Collaborate to Empower Women and Youth Through Renewable Technology
The Energising Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems Programme (EWAS) in Nigeria, a collaboration between local businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, aims to empower women and youth through solar-powered technology in the agricultural sector. By providing affordable finance, training, and commercial opportunities, the program seeks to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve incomes for smallholder farmers. With women and youth making up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and many communities lacking access to reliable power, solar-powered productive use of energy (PUE) technologies offer a pathway to inclusive growth and economic development. The initiative builds on the success of the Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP) and will support projects led by Nigerian enterprises deploying PUE solutions in rural and peri-urban communities. A total of 300 solar-powered refrigeration units with lithium-ion batteries are being integrated in Nigeria to help women and youth preserve perishable goods and stabilize income, while also democratizing access to solar energy and improving product quality and market competitiveness for women agriculture entrepreneurs. The EWAS project, part of a broader three-year program led by the Global Energy Alliance and the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create dignified jobs, improve livelihoods, and reduce emissions in Nigeria's agriculture sector, ultimately working towards providing affordable, reliable, clean electricity to improve lives and accelerate green economic opportunities. Through partnerships and community engagement, the initiative aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions, and create or improve 150 million jobs, contributing to sustainable development and climate solutions in Nigeria.
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Over 20 Million EV Chargers Operating In China Now
China is leading in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and has the largest number of EV chargers, with over 20 million by the end of 2025. The country has built the world's largest EV charging network, supporting over 40 million new energy vehicles. China's motivation for switching to EVs is driven by the need to reduce toxic air pollution, which causes over one million premature deaths annually. Critics of EVs claiming they run on coal-generated electricity are refuted, as China is a leader in clean, renewable energy sources like solar power. China's advancements in solar power and battery manufacturing position it to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and reduce air pollution.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/25/over-20-million-ev-chargers-operating-in-china-now/
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Energy Transition and Critical Minerals in Morocco – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
The United Nations Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals is addressing the projected increase in demand for these minerals by 2030 and 2040. The workshop in Morocco focused on fair policies for mineral extraction and renewable energy to mitigate negative impacts. The African Energy Chamber predicts a rise in renewables in Africa's power generation mix, with North Africa potentially exporting electricity and green hydrogen to Europe. Participants discussed guidelines for strengthening governance, financing, and regulation of value chains to promote low-carbon industrial development and emphasized the importance of Just Energy Transition and Responsible Governance. Key proposals included creating synergies between energy, mobility, and hydrogen storage through public-private partnerships and innovation to promote sustainable development.
https://pacja.org/energy-transition-and-critical-minerals-in-morocco/
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CATL Wins World Economic Forum’s MINDS Award for AI-Driven Next-Generation Battery Design
CATL has been honored with the World Economic Forum's 2026 MINDS Award for their groundbreaking project on AI-driven lithium-ion battery design, which revolutionizes battery R&D by delivering virtual batteries with superior performance, reliability, and efficiency. The use of augmented intelligence transforms human design into co-design between AI and customers, aiming to accelerate the adoption of AI and data-driven technologies across industries. CATL emphasizes the importance of 'Augmented Intelligence' in battery production, combining human expertise with AI to ensure product quality and advance AI in the energy transition. The intelligent design platform combines physics-based electrochemical models with machine learning to speed up key steps in cell design, focusing on creating value and discovering new frontiers in technology.
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Massachusetts can make ‘bottom-up’ distribution reforms for a better grid
Massachusetts is making strides in modernizing its electric grid and regulatory systems to meet decarbonization mandates and better serve customers. The state is exploring the DSO model to integrate distributed energy resources like solar, storage, heat pumps, and EVs, creating a more flexible and democratized energy system. The Grid Modernization Advisory Council is providing transparency and stakeholder input on utility planning, focusing on community needs and bottom-up planning. Stakeholders are advocating for a customer-driven, flexible grid, with the DSO model being recommended to enable grid edge flexibility and advance energy justice. Massachusetts utilities are recognizing the importance of a more flexible grid and modernized regulation, with the DSO structure seen as crucial in delivering an affordable, equitable, and efficient energy transition.
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Jiangsu Electric Power reports 13.49GW of offshore wind connected
Jiangsu province in China has become a leader in offshore wind power capacity, reaching 13.49 GW by the end of 2025. This is expected to supply over 30 billion kWh of renewable electricity annually and reduce more than 22 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Jiangsu has a comprehensive offshore wind power development framework covering various areas, with continued expansion in Yancheng. The province has also developed grid-connection capabilities, including offshore booster stations and the largest grid-connection transmission facility in the country. China leads globally in cumulative offshore wind power installed capacity, with plans to exceed 100 million kW by the end of the Five-Year Plan.
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Op-Ed: XPENG’s New Extended-Range EVs Are Actually About Ultra-Fast Charging & AI
XPENG has unveiled new extended-range EV models, the P7+ sedan and G7 SUV, with impressive ranges and fast charging capabilities. The company is rethinking extended-range EVs as electric-first vehicles with gas backup, rather than relying on gas as the primary source of power. XPENG is normalizing advanced charging and computing capabilities across its lineup to address inconsistent charging infrastructure in regions like Southeast Asia. Extended-range configurations with substantial electric-only capability could increase EV adoption without immediate infrastructure upgrades. The company's growth and ambitious targets suggest they are thinking ahead about consumer needs in the evolving auto industry, positioning extended-range EVs as platforms for software-defined operation with charging parity to battery-only vehicles.
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Solar Power Generation Drives Electricity Generation Growth Over The Next Two Years
The U.S. electric power sector is projected to experience growth in electricity generation, with natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources decreasing to 72% by 2027, while solar and wind power are expected to increase to 21% of total generation. Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing source, with significant capacity additions in Texas, and battery storage capacity is expanding to support solar output fluctuations. Coal-fired generation increased in 2025 but is expected to decline by 5% annually over the next two years, resulting in coal's share in power generation falling to 15% by 2027. Wind generation growth is slowing in certain regions, while natural gas remains the largest source of electricity but its share is declining.