News Worldwide
GERMANY’S RENEWABLE POWER CAPACITY SET TO HIT 509.9 GW BY 2035
Germany is rapidly advancing its clean energy transition with strong federal support and ambitious targets for renewable power, hydrogen, and energy diversification. Having phased out nuclear power in 2023, the country aims to eliminate coal by 2038 — with discussions ongoing to bring that deadline forward to 2030. According to GlobalData’s latest report, Germany Power Market Trends and Analysis to 2035, the nation’s cumulative renewable capacity is projected to reach 509.9 GW by 2035, growing at a compound annual rate of 9.7% from 2024 to 2035. Renewables already accounted for 54.7% of Germany’s electricity generation in 2024, led by wind and solar power.
By 2035, renewable generation is expected to climb to 628 TWh, making up 82.9% of the total power mix. This growth is being driven by large-scale solar expansion and the rapid development of both onshore and offshore wind. Germany is targeting 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 under its Renewable Energy Act and National Hydrogen Strategy, supported by major investments in grid modernization and energy security.
The country’s energy landscape has also been reshaped by geopolitical shifts following the Russia–Ukraine war, which ended dependence on Russian gas. Germany has since diversified its energy sources through new LNG terminals and partnerships with suppliers such as Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the US, while also developing hydrogen ties with Canada, Norway, and Namibia. Despite progress, challenges remain. Grid congestion, fluctuating renewable output, and slow approval processes for wind projects continue to hinder deployment. Yet, investments in hydrogen, battery storage, and smart grid technologies are expected to enhance system resilience. Germany’s path toward 80% renewable generation by 2030 and a fully decarbonised power sector by 2045 remains both ambitious and achievable.
FROM COAL TO CLEAN: OLD MINES COULD POWER A COUNTRY THE SIZE OF GERMANY
Abandoned coal mines — once symbols of industrial power — could become the foundation for the next great clean energy revolution. A new report by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) finds that transforming disused and soon-to-close coal mines into solar firms could generate nearly 300 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power — enough to supply the entire electricity needs of a country the size of Germany.
According to GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, 312 surface coal mines have already been shut since 2020, covering about 2,089 square kilometres. Another 3,731 km² is expected to be abandoned by 2030 as coal reserves run out. Together, that’s more than 5,800 km² of land — equivalent to thousands of football fields — that could be repurposed for solar energy projects.
If fully developed, these sites could deliver around 15% of the world’s current solar capacity, while helping to restore degraded landscapes and revive local economies that once depended on coal. GEM analysts note that this “coal-to-solar” transition is already under way in countries such as China, Australia, the United States, Indonesia, and India. China currently leads the way, with 90 converted sites producing 14 GW and another 46 projects in development. In Europe, Greece is emerging as a model, using former lignite mines in Western Macedonia to host new solar parks backed by EU recovery funds.
Beyond generating clean power, repurposing mine land could create more than 250,000 permanent jobs and over 300,000 construction roles, offsetting job losses in the coal industry.
The approach offers a rare win-win: restoring damaged land, supporting green employment, and driving global decarbonization goals. The message is clear — the same ground that once fueled the industrial age can now power a cleaner, more sustainable future.
KUWAIT AWARDS $489 MILLION WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTRACT TO TURKEY’S KUZU
Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works has signed a $488.9 million (149.6 million Kuwaiti dinars) contract with Turkey’s Kuzu Group to build and operate a major wastewater treatment plant for the South Al-Mutlaa City development. The deal highlights Kuwait’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and closer economic cooperation with Turkey. The agreement was finalized during Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Kuwait, which also included new accords in defence, energy, investment, and trade. The wastewater project is among the most prominent joint ventures between the two countries in recent years.
According to ministry spokesperson Ahmed Alsaleh, the new facility will use a hybrid energy system that combines conventional and renewable sources — part of Kuwait’s broader effort to integrate sustainability into public infrastructure. Once completed, the plant will treat up to 400,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day, producing high-quality, tertiary-treated water suitable for agricultural and landscaping use.
Located around 40 kilometres north of Kuwait City, Al-Mutlaa City is one of Kuwait’s largest urban developments, featuring more than 28,000 housing units, along with schools, healthcare, and commercial facilities. The wastewater plant will be essential to supporting the city’s residents and promoting efficient water reuse in one of the world’s driest regions.
Under the contract, Kuzu will build, operate, and maintain the plant, applying its international experience in sustainable water and infrastructure projects. The initiative supports Kuwait’s long-term goals of reducing freshwater demand, cutting energy use, and creating environmentally responsible cities.
By integrating renewable energy into wastewater management and recycling systems, Kuwait is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable utilities. The project also strengthens bilateral ties with Turkey, paving the way for further collaboration in infrastructure, clean energy, and urban development
CALIFORNIA COMPANY LAUNCHES WORLD’S LARGEST INDUSTRIAL HEAT BATTERY
A California-based clean energy company, Rondo Energy, has launched what it calls the world’s largest industrial heat battery, a major step toward decarbonizing one of the hardest-to-abate sectors—industrial heat. The 100-MWh Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) is now in daily automatic operation at a site in Kern County, California, supplying continuous high-pressure heat and steam to an enhanced oil recovery project run by Holmes Western Oil Corp.
The system pairs a 20-MW solar photovoltaic array with Rondo’s innovative heat battery, which stores energy by heating clay bricks to temperatures above 1,000°C. The stored thermal energy is then used to produce steam, replacing the need for natural gas-fired boilers. According to Rondo, the project has already met all performance, efficiency, and reliability milestones, boasting a round-trip efficiency above 97%.
The 100-MWh RHB can deliver the equivalent of heat for 10,000 homes, setting new records for capacity and efficiency in industrial-scale thermal storage. It charges during daylight hours using off-grid solar energy and
provides 24-hour heat output, allowing continuous industrial operation without fossil fuels.
By switching from natural gas to on-site solar energy, Holmes Western Oil has reduced both energy cost volatility and carbon market exposure. The project was completed without any lost-time injuries and met all customer specifications, demonstrating that clean energy can compete directly with fossil systems in heavy industry. Rondo’s technology, which uses only brick and wire as storage media, is non-toxic, fireproof, and requires no air permits. It can be easily integrated alongside existing boilers and industrial systems. The company says this approach offers a low-cost, scalable solution to decarbonize high-temperature industries like cement, chemicals, and food processing, which together account for about 25% of global energy use.
With projects underway across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Rondo Energy’s commercial-scale deployment signals a new chapter for renewable power — one that extends beyond electricity into the vast world of industrial heat.
NEW YORK CITY COMPLETES $42 MILLION FLOOD PREVENTION PROJECT IN BROOKLYN
New York City has completed a $42.3 million stormwater management project in East Flatbush and Canarsie, Brooklyn, aimed at reducing street flooding and improving public safety in neighborhoods increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven extreme weather.
Announced by Mayor Eric Adams, the project introduces nearly 1,200 new green infrastructure installations, including 906 infiltration basins and 291 rain gardens, designed to manage stormwater runoff where it falls. Together, these systems will capture an estimated 122.5 million gallons of stormwater each year, easing the load on the city’s aging drainage and sewer networks.
Rain gardens, which resemble traditional tree beds, feature specialized soil and vegetation that can absorb up to 2,500 gallons of stormwater during a single rainfall. Meanwhile, infiltration basins — built into sidewalks — allow excess water to percolate naturally into the ground, helping to reduce surface flooding and sewer backups. The initiative builds on broader citywide efforts to strengthen New York’s flood resilience following repeated flash floods that have caused property damage and transit disruptions. Similar upgrades were recently completed in College Point and Maspeth, where sewer capacity was significantly expanded. The city has also installed over 200 flood sensors in flood-prone neighborhoods like Corona, Queens, to provide real-time data during storms, and launched its first Cloudburst project at the South Jamaica Houses, capable of retaining 3.5 million gallons of stormwater during extreme weather events.
Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth noted that while individual rain gardens or basins may appear small, collectively they divert tens of millions of gallons of rainwater from streets and homes, preventing costly damage and improving safety.
The project is part of the Adams administration’s $12.3 billion investment in expanding and modernizing New York City’s stormwater management systems. By combining green infrastructure with traditional engineering solutions, the city aims to build long-term resilience against the growing risks of urban flooding and climate change.
JPMORGAN CHASE OPENS NEW ALL-ELECTRIC GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
JPMorgan Chase & Co. has officially opened its new global headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, a 60-story, 2.5-million -square-feet skyscraper that redefines the future of sustainable office design in the heart of Manhattan. The $3 billion project is New York City’s largest all-electric building, achieving net-zero operational carbon emissions and setting a new benchmark for corporate sustainability.
The firm began moving employees into the tower in August, and once fully occupied, it will house 10,000 workers. Designed by Foster + Partners, the new headquarters is built to meet LEED Platinum v4 and WELL Health-Safety standards, powered entirely by renewable hydroelectric energy from upstate New York.
Beyond its walls, the project delivers extensive public benefits — including a new plaza on Madison Avenue, 2.5 times more outdoor space than the previous building, wider sidewalks, and improved access to Grand Central Terminal.
The construction also contributed to modernizing parts of the Grand Central train shed, a key infrastructure investment that supports faster and safer commutes for New Yorkers. Inside, the building features eight trading floors, an expansive “Exchange” dining and event hub, and a world-class client center. Smart technologies — including more than 50,000 connected devices, AI, and machine learning systems — continuously monitor and optimize lighting, temperature, and energy use to enhance employee comfort and reduce consumption.
Sustainability-driven design elements include triple-pane glass, automated solar shades, and advanced water reuse systems that cut consumption by over 40%. The tower also= provides 30% more natural daylight and integrates circadian lighting to improve employee well-being.
The building team brought together some of the most respected names in architecture and engineering, including Foster + Partners, Gensler, SOM, Adamson Associates, and Jaros, Baum & Bolles. The construction was managed by AECOM Tishman with Severud Associates as the structural engineer.
Governor Kathy Hochul praised the project for delivering “benefits beyond its four walls,” while JPMorgan Chase leaders hailed it as a model for sustainable urban development.
The opening of 270 Park Avenue also coincides with upcoming renovations at 383 Madison Avenue, signaling a new era in JPMorgan Chase’s long-standing presence in New York City’s skyline.
VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT REPORTS Q2 2025 RESULTS: SALES DOWN IN WESTERN MARKETS, ORDERS SURGE IN ASIA
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has released its second-quarter 2025 financial results, revealing a mixed performance marked by declining sales in Europe and North America but strong growth in Asia.
The company reported that net sales fell 6% year-over-year, though when adjusted for inflation, sales were up 2%. Machine sales increased 2%, while service sales remained stable. Despite softer market conditions in its key Western markets, net orders rose 24%, driven by strong demand in Asian economies.
Volvo CE attributed the slowdown in Europe and North America to market uncertainty and saturation. The company said the machinery market contracted 10% across both regions, with demand weakening further in North America as construction activity cooled. In contrast, Asia emerged as a key growth driver. The Chinese market saw an uptick in demand for smaller machines, supported by government investment in residential property projects. Broader Asia grew 6%, while South America posted an 8% increase in market activity. North American orders, while slightly higher, remain at a relatively low level.
Volvo CE’s President, Melker Jernberg, emphasized the company’s strategy to remain resilient amid shifting economic conditions:
“At a time of market uncertainty, we focus on staying closer to our customers than ever before, while maintaining a solid performance and investing in the future,” he said.
Jernberg added that Volvo aims to expand ownership and management of its European construction business, strengthening its integrated solutions and services approach. Overall, while global market volatility continues to challenge heavy equipment manufacturers, Volvo CE’s results show that diversified regional exposure and a focus on service-driven business models are helping offset weaker demand in traditional markets.