Saudi Arabia planning 2.6 gigawatt solar project near Mecca
Middle Eastern oil giant Saudi Arabia is set to develop a mammoth 2.6 gigawatt (GW) solar park in the Makkah Region, providing enough energy for nearly 2 million homes.
Climate crisis
World Bank commits $22.5 billion more to Africa for climate change
World Bank Group is providing USD$22.5 billion to Africa for climate mitigation and adaptation across five years beginning with 2021, adding to the $17 billion already committed through the Africa Climate Business Plan.
74% of U.S. coal production is now more expensive than renewables
211 gigawatts of current US coal capacity, 74% of the coal fleet, is providing electricity that’s more expensive than wind or solar. By 2025, nearly the entire US coal system will be out-competed on cost by renewables.
New Mexico is the third state in the U.S. to legally require 100% carbon-free electricity
The bill requires the state to get 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and 80% by 2040. By 2045, it must go entirely carbon-free.
Over 1 million students from around the world walk out of schools to strike for climate action
1.5 million students from all over the world took to the streets on March to demand governments for stronger political action on our current climate crisis.
The European Investment Bank and Palestine Investment Fund offer $18 million for school solar projects in Palestine
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) revealed the signing of a loan agreement worth $18 million which will finance the installation of 35 megawatts (MW) of solar PV systems on 500 public schools in the West Bank.
U.K. Government announces end of fossil fuel heating systems in new houses from 2025
To ensure homes are better for the environment, they will introduce a Future Homes Standard by 2025, so that new build homes are future-proofed with low-carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency.
Norway is starting the world’s biggest divestment in oil and gas
The Government Pension Fund Global, which was built off Norway’s oil revenues, will begin phasing out $8 billion held in 134 firms to reduce the fund’s risk from volatile oil prices.
World Bank approves $185 million for renewable energy in Bangladesh
Launched on March 1, the Bangladesh Scaling-up Renewable Energy Project will provide $185 million to add up to 310 MW in renewable energy and aims to mobilize a further $212 million in private sector investment.
Lake Region Electric Cooperative in Minnesota launches first-of-its-kind solar-wind hybrid renewable energy plant
In GE’s integrated renewable energy system, electricity from the solar panels is funneled through the wind turbine converter. The overall capacity of the system will increase by 3% to 4%, while boosting annual production by up to 10%.