Renewable Energy

China's Tianqi Lithium argues consensus battery demand forecasts are too conservative because they underestimate electric heavy trucks and ships, which could drive the next leg of lithium growth beyond passenger EVs. Electric trucks already account for 25-30 percent of new heavy-duty sales in China, with battery packs up to 20 times larger than passenger cars and higher daily utilization rates. CATL has built around 900 electric ships including cargo vessels with 15-minute battery swapping, targeting the $4 million annual fuel costs that large ships typically spend. The thesis comes as lithium prices collapsed from 2022-23 highs, forcing producers to emphasize new demand drivers beyond the passenger EV market that has dominated the first decade of battery growth.

The largest energy IPO ever just validated geothermal as AI infrastructure. Fervo priced at $27 per share, raising $1.89 billion in an oversubscribed offering that values the company at $7.7 billion. The Houston startup applies fracking techniques to hot rock formations, creating enhanced geothermal systems that generate 24/7 clean power exactly when AI data centers need it most. Hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft are desperate for baseload renewables as AI workloads surge, making Fervo's 3GW pipeline suddenly precious. The company's Cape Station project targets $70 per kilowatt initially, dropping to under $30/kW as production scales. With 42GW of additional potential capacity, Fervo is betting AI's insatiable appetite for always-on clean energy justifies premium valuations in a sector notorious for broken promises.

Gautam Adani is building the world's largest renewable-powered AI infrastructure network. His $100 billion commitment targets 5 GW of data centers by 2035, powered entirely by the Khavda project's 30 GW capacity. Adani Energy Solutions shares trade at 211x earnings, reflecting the AI proxy mania that has gripped Indian markets. The integrated play spanning ports, power, and data centers creates a $250 billion ecosystem that could reshape India's position in the global AI race. The real test comes when hyperscale loads meet the reality of 100 percent renewable power promises.

State Grid pledged $4.5bn for pumped hydro projects in 2026, China's latest push to solve renewable energy storage at scale.

PT Barito Renewables Energy shares plunged 14% to two-year lows after Indonesia's stock exchange flagged the company for highly concentrated shareholding. Four main investors control 96% of BREN, prompting concerns over market transparency as Indonesia implements reforms to meet MSCI standards. The company was already excluded from the FTSE Russell Index last September over ownership issues. With an 11.66% free float barely exceeding minimum requirements, BREN faces pressure to adjust its structure within the three-year transition period ending March 2029.