India Eases Restriction on Chinese Equipments Imports for Power, Coal on Project Delays

India has started easing its restriction on its state-run power and coal companies to resume imports of Chinese equipment as shortage and project delays mount, reported Reuters. This is the first significant easing of imports since the 2020 border clash that shut out Chinese firms out of a $700-$750 billion government contract. 

The report said that the new projects given to Chinese bidders fell 27% to $1.67 billion in 2021 from a year earlier. Power transmission projects faced about a 40% shortfall in transformers and reactors over the next three years. Additionally, India is also facing execution delays and transmission issues to reach the ambitious target of adding 500GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

French Court Holds Historic Climate Trial in a Case Against TotalEnergies 

Major French oil company TotalEnergies is facing a historic civic climate case in a Paris court to compel the company to curb its oil and gas production and emissions in line with the global accord’s 1.5˚C long-term temperature limit, Inside Climate News reported. 

The judges are currently hearing the merits of a trial in the case filed by a French non-profit organisation and for the first time in the country’s history, where it will be decided whether a multinational oil and gas company can be required to reduce its fossil fuel production.

Environmentalist and Indigenous Groups Sue Trump Administration on Drilling Expansion Plan in Alaska

The Trump administration’s plan to expand oil drilling in sensitive regions in Alaska has led to a lawsuit by the local indigenous group and the environmentalists, reported Inside Climate News.  

The group has filed two lawsuits against the administration seeking to block a lease sale scheduled for March that would offer 5.5 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The sale would also include the calving grounds for the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd, a critical subsistence source for many Iñupiat living in the nearby village of Nuiqsut and other communities.

Ethanol Surplus in India Set to Threaten Investments and Farmers Income

India’s ethanol industry is facing a surplus challenge that threatens to impact farmers income and investments. Nearly 20 billion litres of installed capacity, with another 4 billion expected to come onstream soon has policymakers and ethanol producers at unease, ET EnergyWorld reported. 

The strain of excess capacity is also visible across the value chain. Distilleries had set up about 20 billion litres capacity for supplying ethanol to oil marketing companies, but the lower than expected offtake has resulted in underutilised capacity and excess inventory.

Excise Waiver, Clear Policy for Biogas Blending Can Unlock ₹1 lakh crore investment 

The proposed excise duty waiver on biogas blended in Compressed Natural Sugar (CNG) in the Union Budget 2026, can unlock the investment opportunity worth ₹1 lakh crore, reported ET EnergyWorld citing Indian Biogas Association (IBA). 

The IBA called this initiative an important step towards India’s Energy Transition towards 2070 net zero target. It will not only lead to reduction in gas prices but also speeding up private investments in the sector. 

Coal Demand Set to Increase on Rising Power Needs 

The coal demand is set to uptick on rising power needs, this turnaround comes after months of weak demand, reported ET EnergyWorld. Industry leaders are anticipating a rise after power demand staged a recovery in the months of December and January.

The country’s coal sector is now rethinking its expansion plans amid rising uncertainties as it witnessed a surprising slowdown in this financial year.

Environmental Agency of US Plans to Loosen Restriction on Coal Power Plants 

The US Environmental Protection Agency is planning to loosen the restriction on coal power plants, allowing them to emit more dangerous pollutants such as mercury, a neurotoxin that can impair babies’ brain development, reported The New York Times.

The move is one of the many efforts taken by the Trump Administration to make it easier and cheaper to produce and use fossil fuels despite the scientific evidence that pollution from burning oil, gas and coal is harming public health and warming the planet. The administration is also trying to make coal cheaper by rolling back several regulations.