PIF Energy plans $2bn tanker fleet
PIF Energy has announced a planned $2 billion investment to acquire up to 15 crude oil tankers, aiming to strengthen shipping capacity amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and tightening fuel markets.
The company expects to complete initial acquisitions within three to four weeks, subject to due diligence and vessel availability.
Ben Morrow, CEO, said the investment would support reliable crude deliveries to refineries, complement emergency reserve releases and help ease transport bottlenecks affecting global fuel supplies.
New IEF advisory council members
The International Energy Forum (IEF) has welcomed EDF power solutions and Hitachi Energy to its Industry Advisory Council, strengthening industry expertise in renewable energy, electricity grids and energy security.
EDF power solutions develops wind, solar and battery storage projects, while Hitachi Energy specialises in power grids, electrification and digital technologies.
Their participation will support dialogue on modernising electricity networks, integrating renewable generation, meeting rising demand and advancing secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems.
Fluor secures LNG Canada contract
Fluor Corporation and its joint venture with JGC Corporation have secured a contract for Phase 2 of LNG Canada’s export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, following a final investment decision.
Fluor will recognise its $7.5 billion share in the third quarter of fiscal 2026.
The expansion will add two liquefaction trains and a storage tank, doubling the facility’s production capacity to approximately 28 million tonnes annually.
Google, Constellation sign nuclear deal
Google and Constellation Energy have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to add 890 MW of nuclear capacity to the PJM grid through upgrades at 11 existing reactors across Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The project represents more than $4.3 billion in investment and is expected to create 7,200 construction jobs.
The first capacity upgrade is targeted for 2028.
Separately, Oracle will purchase electricity from Constellation’s Point Beach nuclear power plant.
India expands polyethylene output
India is expected to become the world’s second-largest contributor to polyethylene capacity additions by 2030, behind China, accounting for over 14 per cent of global growth, according to GlobalData.
Thirteen upcoming projects will help reduce import dependence and meet rising domestic demand.
Bharat Petroleum’s Bina plant in Madhya Pradesh is expected to begin operations in 2028, while additional projects by Bharat Petroleum and Haldia Petrochemicals are scheduled to start production by 2030.
OPITO calls for skills recognition
OPITO’s new One Safety Vision report finds that over two-thirds of APAC employers require additional training or certification before hiring workers from adjacent safety-critical sectors.
The survey reveals 57 per cent report trust gaps due to unrecognised qualifications, despite strong confidence in workforce competence.
OPITO calls for globally aligned training standards and clearer certification recognition to improve workforce mobility, strengthen safety and support collaboration across the region’s energy and mining industries.
Bentley names energy winners
Bentley Systems has announced its 2026 Year in Infrastructure Award winners, recognising energy projects using digital technologies to improve infrastructure delivery.
China’s Chongqing Yunyang Jianquan Pumped Storage Digital Power Station won the Energy Production category, while Australia’s Clean Energy Link-North project, using AI-driven digital delivery for renewables, won Transmission and Distribution.
The awards featured more than 300 project nominations from 53 countries across 12 categories in various sectors.
Foss closes $58m GridStor storage deal
Foss & Company has closed a $58 million tax equity partnership with GridStor to finance a utility-scale battery energy storage system in Hidalgo County, Texas.
The transaction generates Section 48 investment tax credits, with the asset scheduled to enter service in October 2026.
The deal marks the companies’ second collaboration, reflecting growing investor confidence in battery storage to strengthen grid reliability and flexibility.
It also expands Foss & Company’s renewable energy tax equity portfolio.
Renewables gain in South Africa
Renewable energy is expected to overtake thermal generation in South Africa’s installed capacity mix by 2035, driven by solar and wind expansion, according to GlobalData.
The country’s power capacity is forecast to grow at a 3.5 per cent annual rate between 2025 and 2035.
Market reforms are encouraging private investment and corporate power agreements, but limited transmission capacity remains a key obstacle.
Investment in battery storage and grid infrastructure will be critical to replacing retiring coal plants and improving reliability.
2026 Women in Energy winners
Women in Energy has announced its 2026 Annual Awards, recognising five professionals for leadership, mentorship and industry contributions.
Allison Heaney of Skaggs-Walsh received Woman of the Year, while Amber Luzi of Tevis Energy, Kelly Brown of Lehigh Fuels and Tara Clerkin of Cetane Associates won EmpowerHER awards.
Diane Cichocki of Ross Enterprises received the Judy Garber Rising Star Award.
The awards were presented during the association’s annual conference in Massachusetts.