Big Tech pledges support for nuclear, Sand reclamation, e-Fuels, Power-to-Heat
TotalEnergies partners with RWE for e-fuels; UK pledges GBP 5 billion for food production support; Renewables to process steam at Leuna site; First Washington cap-n-invest auction
Top 10 from Telborg today:
Major Global Companies Pledge Historic Support to Triple Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association
(March 12)
US-based companies including Google, Amazon, Meta, and Dow have pledged to support the goal of tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. This initiative, announced at CERAWeek 2025 in Houston, marks the first time major businesses outside the nuclear sector have united to back nuclear power expansion. The pledge, facilitated by the World Nuclear Association, aims to enhance energy security and provide continuous clean energy. Amazon has invested over $1 billion in nuclear energy projects as part of its Climate Pledge to be net-zero carbon by 2040.
Trends and innovations in nature finance: what to look out for in 2025
(March 11)
The UNEP FI reported that private finance for nature surged to USD 102 billion in 2024, up from USD 9.4 billion in 2020. This includes efforts to track private finance through new global reporting indicators related to biodiversity. Indigenous leadership is recognized as vital for nature finance, evident in projects like the Savimbo biodiversity credit in Colombia, which provides credits for sustainable land management. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was established to finance tropical forest protection in Brazil, aligning various forms of capital to create sustainable funding mechanisms. The Race to Belém initiative aims to raise USD 1.5 billion for conservation in a historic fast track campaign, highlighting the importance of high-impact financial solutions for climate and biodiversity.
United Nations Environment | Finance Initiative
Washington’s cap-and-invest program secures funding for communities
(March 12)
Washington state’s cap-and-invest program continues to show the power of state policies that cut pollution and raise funds for their communities. The first auction of the year generated approximately $230 million in revenue, which will be invested into various projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience, creating jobs, and improving air quality. This quarter's auction recorded a price of $50.00 per allowance, significantly higher than the previous auction price. The revenue generated will support initiatives such as electrified public transportation, renewable energy infrastructure, and wildfire prevention, demonstrating a robust commitment to sustainable practices.
Germany: TotalEnergies and RWE join forces on green hydrogen to decarbonize the Leuna refinery
(March 12)
TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with RWE to supply 30,000 tons of green hydrogen annually to the Leuna refinery for fifteen years, starting in 2030. The green hydrogen will be produced by a 300 MW electrolyzer operated by RWE in Lingen and delivered via a 600 km pipeline. This initiative will prevent 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually at the refinery. This contract represents the largest green hydrogen agreement from an electrolyzer in Germany.
UK Government Secures £5 Billion for Sustainable Food Production
(March 12)
The UK Government has announced a historic investment of £5 billion to support sustainable food production. This funding will assist farmers over a two-year period, enabling record participation with 50,000 farm businesses and over half of all farmed land managed under environmental land management schemes. A cap of £1.05 billion was reached for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme for the years 2024/25 and 2025/26. All allocated funds have been paid to farmers or committed through existing agreements. The government is committed to transparency and will provide updates on the SFI program moving forward.
Cement Prices Set to Rise as tariffs on imports and Carbon Costs Reshape the Industry
(March 13)
The World Cement Association, led by Founder and Director Emir Adiguzel, announced significant financial challenges for the cement industry due to rising carbon costs during the Envirotech 2025 Conference in Athens. He pointed out that carbon costs are becoming critical in pricing structures and suggested a €100 billion industrial decarbonisation bank proposed by the EU Commission to support the industry. However, he raised concerns over equitable funding distribution, particularly for small to mid-sized companies, which are at high risk as the industry adapts to these changes.
Resand enters the Swedish foundry market with electric sand reclaimer
(March 13)
Resand Ltd, a Finnish technology company, entered the Swedish foundry market by signing an agreement with Combi Wear Parts AB to introduce an electric sand reclaimer. This agreement was signed in January 2025, and the e-reclaimer is the first such electrical sand reclaiming solution in Sweden. The collaboration aims to eliminate waste sand in landfills, reduce costs and CO2 emissions, and promote the reuse of waste sand in production processes.
HIF Global Receives U.S. Approval for e-Fuels Pathway
(March 11)
US-based HIF Global has been awarded the first U.S. approval for an e-Fuels pathway under the California Air Resource Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program. This certification includes e-SAF, e-Naphtha, and e-Diesel as opt-in fuels, allowing producers to generate credits. HIF Global is developing a 1.4 mtpa e-Fuels project in Matagorda County, Texas, and is also active in Chile, Uruguay, and Australia. The company anticipates a global demand for e-Fuels reaching over 250 mtpa by 2035, with potential capital investment opportunities exceeding $1 trillion.
Unique Power-to-Heat Project at Leuna Chemical Site
(Feb 17)
Germany-based InfraLeuna GmbH and 50Hertz Transmission GmbH have signed a contract to build and operate a Power-to-Heat (PtH) plant at the Leuna chemical site. The project, costing 13.6 million euros, will convert excess renewable electricity from wind and solar into process steam, reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing energy resilience. The plant features a 35 MW electrode boiler, producing 45 tons of steam per hour at 47 bar pressure, a first in Europe. The initiative supports the energy transition by utilizing surplus electricity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. www.infraleuna.de
Biogenic coal for producing silicon, Ammonia cracking for shipping
EU Council grants greater investment flexibility to EIB;
Standard Chartered issues Social Bond;
SMRs for steel production;
Uranium enrichment, Corporate Carbon Removal, Reducing Halons in Aviation, Cell-cultured meats
French uranium enrichment plant to increase capacity by 30%;
New index to measure Corporate contributions to carbon removal;
EU halon replacement guide for aviation;