The energy revolution at the end of the world
19 October 2021 |
12:09 pm
Scotland’s Northern Isles, Orkney and Shetland, have long benefited from North Sea oil revenues. But with reserves declining, and climate change forcing a transformation of energy policy around the world, the islands have become a hotbed of renewable energy innovation. As Scotland prepares to host the COP26 UN climate summit in November, the Northern Isles could serve as an example for other nations, both of cutting edge technologies, and of difficult political choices.
Related
24 Apr 2022
Investigators in Germany say an extremist chat group planned bomb attacks to knock out power nationwide. They hoped to create "a civil war-like" situation to topple the country's democratic system of government.
22 Apr 2022
With the climate crisis beginning to gain some traction in the France presidential campaign, we focus on a clean but little exploited source of power: geothermal energy, which creates electricity from the Earth's heat. Kenya has become a major producer, with its geothermal power plants now providing a third of the country's electricity. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Camille Nedelec and Jennie Shin.
23 Apr 2022
As Germany looks to ditch Russian oil and gas for good, its domestic energy industry is a key side actor — but can it step up to the plate? We search for clues in the village where Germany's oil sector was born.
27 Apr 2022
Poland and Hungary have shared a tilt towards the nationalist right, bound also by a mutual distrust of the EU. But their relations with Russia are anything but alike.
29 Apr 2022
With Poland and Bulgaria cut off from Russian gas, major European energy firms are reportedly considering compliance with Moscow's demand to be paid in roubles. Over in the US, Archegos Capital's Bill Hwang pleads not guilty to fraud. Finally, amid a shortage of sunflower oil due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the French government has authorised food companies to change their recipes without altering their packaging.
2 May 2022
The latest installment in a scathing report into the presidency of former South African leader Jacob Zuma says that he played a critical role in the plunder of state entities. About 880 million euros worth of contracts for the Eskom power utility are thought to have been shadily awarded.
12 May 2022
The European bloc is moving closer to banning Russian oil with Germany changing course to support the embargo. But many questions remain open.
12 May 2022
As EU member states consider tightening restrictions on Russian energy imports, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is among those calling for closer European integration. He says the bloc needs “structural solutions” to deal with soaring energy prices. Meanwhile, Italy and the UK take different stances over “windfall taxes” for energy giants as they reap record profits, and India's heatwave pushes electricity consumption to a record high.
8 May 2022
The Economy and Climate Minister says the legal action against the accelerated construction of an import terminal for liquefied natural gas will make it harder to move away from Russian energy.
16 May 2022
Coal mining has long polluted the natural environment, with devastating consequences. But today, could it be a source of renewable energy? Down to Earth travels to the UK where disused, flooded coal mines are now reservoirs of geothermal energy.
17 May 2022
Nigerian entrepreneur Mustapha Gajibo has been converting petrol mini-buses into electric vehicles at his workshop, but he is now going a step further to build battery-powered buses from scratch in a push to promote clean energy and curb pollution.
Latest
1 hour ago
Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger is the first German cabinet member to arrive in Taiwan in decades. The decision comes amid tensions with mainland China, as Beijing issues a diplomatic complaint over the visit.
1 hour ago
Thailand's Parliament has been dissolved, opening the door for new elections. The current prime minister, who led a military coup in 2014, has faded in popularity with voters.
3 hours ago
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.
3 hours ago
As Angola sends troops, Congo hopes new military alliances can stop violence in its eastern regions. Massacres are increasing, humanitarian aid is paralyzed and a new mass exodus seems inevitable.
3 hours ago
Love kept at a distance: German national Linda Wendt is fighting to establish a life in Germany with her husband. But he cannot move here without first passing a language test. A major problem — but not an isolated case.
3 hours ago
Sri Lanka has secured $2.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund — a lifeline for the debt-ridden country. But for millions struggling with poverty, the bailout might not bring immediate relief.