Energy summary [January 2025]

The first Hualong One plant in the Zhangzhou No. 1 mega nuclear power plant is operational in China. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)On November 28, it successfully connected the Changzhou No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, a 1.1-gigawatt Hualong One unit, to the national grid. The unit is one of six Hualong One reactors scheduled to be installed at the site with a capacity of 7 GW, making the Fujian provincial plant the largest Hualong One base in the world. The Chinese government issued an operating license for the Changzhou No. 1 plant in October 2024, and the unit is expected to be fully operational at the end of 2024. According to CNNC, the Changzhou No. 1 grid connection “represents a major advance in the mass production of Hualong One, a next-generation pressurized water reactor.” The third was developed domestically in China. So far, there are 33 units in operation or under construction in China and abroad. This makes it the “third generation nuclear power technology with the largest number of units in operation,” CNNC said and under construction in the world, indicating that China’s nuclear power technology and comprehensive competitiveness have entered the first level in the world. China aims to build 200 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035. As of December 2024, the country has operated 57 reactors, a total 56 GW An estimated 30 more plants (32 GW) are under construction. Forming a partnership to develop offshore wind energy in the Caspian Sea. United Arab Emirates and its headquarters source; SOCAR GREENa subsidiary of the Azerbaijani State Oil Company SOCAR; Its headquarters are in Saudi Arabia Aqua Power A memorandum of understanding was signed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November to explore the development of 3.5 GW offshore wind projects in the Caspian Sea, marking the first offshore wind farms in Azerbaijan. The projects aim to support Azerbaijan’s renewable energy goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 with the development of green hydrogen and water desalination. Masdar, a leading global renewable energy company since 2006, has developed major solar energy projects in Azerbaijan, including the 230 MW Garadag plant, the 315 MW Naftshala plant, and the 445 MW Belasovar plant. The latter is in partnership with SOCAR Green. SOCAR Green, founded in 2024, focuses on solar, wind and green hydrogen to advance Azerbaijan’s climate goals. ACWA Power, active in Azerbaijan since 2019, is building the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm and supporting the country’s renewable energy goals. Brazil extends operations of the Angra 1 nuclear plant until 2044. Brazil Electronic nuclear He received approval from National Commission for Nuclear Energy (CNEN) To extend the operational life of the Angra 1 nuclear power plant by 20 years, allowing the reactor to operate until 2044. The decision, issued on November 22, 2024, comes after a five-year evaluation process, including safety reviews and missions, by the agency. International Atomic Energy Agency. 640 megawatts Westinghouse The reactor, which began commercial operations in 1985, is receiving 3.2 billion Brazilian reais ($550 million) in modernization investments until 2027. Modernization operations are already underway. Improvements include control system upgrades, stronger physical protection, and improved radioactive waste protocols. The expansion of the Angra 1 plant will support Brazil’s efforts to achieve energy security, given that the plant generates 4.78 million megawatt hours per year. Eletronuclear continues to implement emergency response measures, in line with international safety standards, and is preparing for a major safety reassessment in 2033 to ensure long-term reliability and clean energy production. Doosan Energy marks its entry into the hydropumped storage market in South Korea. South Korean technology giant Doosan energy On December 3, 2024, it announced its entry into South Korea’s hydropower storage market, seeking to capitalize on an estimated 5.7 GW of new orders expected under the government’s 11th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand. The first project led by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP)will include the construction of a 500 MW storage plant in Yeongdong, Chungbuk Province, marking KHNP’s return to the technology after 13 years. Doosan plans to provide components for this project and future projects in areas such as Hongcheon, Bucheon, and Hapcheon, where demand for energy storage systems is expected to grow. Doosan said South Korea’s draft 11th basic plan indicates the country will need 21.5 gigawatts of long-duration energy storage systems by 2038. Pumped hydropower storage, a mature technology, has already proven its importance in stabilizing grids as the world expands the use of Renewable energy, it also offers long life and low operational risk. Doosan said its cooperation with Austria Andritz Since 2019, the company has independently developed hydropower components. 25 countries and the European Union unite to end new coal at COP29. 25 countries and the European Union launched a call to action for zero new coal on November 20 at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The call reflects the intention to put forward national climate plans that “do not reflect the relentless use of new coal in their energy systems and calls on others to follow suit.” The first signatories are Angola, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Uganda. United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu and European Union. The call to action was developed in collaboration with Promoting Past Coal Alliance (PPCA)which seeks to relentlessly rapidly phase out coal power. Twenty-four of the supporting countries are members of the PPCA. Two geothermal power plants start producing energy in Türkiye. Open Mountain Türkiye Geothermal Energy Production Co., Ltd. (OME Türkiye)a subsidiary of Kishan GroupIn November, the 11 MW OME T-01 geothermal power plant in the Alaşehir district of Manisa, Türkiye, began producing electricity. The event comes a week later Greenico Energy It announced its first power from the 49 MW GPP-7 plant operating in the Sarayköy district of Denizli. The OME Türkiye project in particular obtained a license issued by Turkish Energy Market Authority in January 2024, representing a condensed development timeframe. According to Kaişan, the project benefits from the Turkish government’s fixed electricity price subsidy, which ranges from 9.45 to 11.55 cents per kilowatt-hour for a period of 15 years for geothermal projects to be commissioned before 2030. In addition, grid companies are mandated to prioritize To purchase electricity from licensed geothermal power plants. In light of green energy policies in Türkiye. Turkey’s geothermal sector, supported by its location on the Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt and abundant geothermal resources, is the cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy. As the world’s fourth largest geothermal producer, Turkey aims to increase its installed geothermal capacity from 1.69 GW to 4 GW by 2030. To date, the country currently has 67 licensed geothermal projects. – Sonal Patel He is a senior editor at POWER.