Energy Transition, Renewables, Emissions, Carbon
April 1, 2026
ET Highlights: Low-carbon fuels for energy security, energy shock carbon market opportunity, EC sets cement decarbonization roadmap
Energy Transition Highlights: Our editors and analysts bring together the biggest stories in the industry this week, from renewables to storage to carbon prices.
Top story
CERAWEEK: In the case for clean resources, 'energy security' tops 'energy transition'
Clean hydrogen and ammonia backers are making the case that alternative fuels can lower nations' reliance on imports of fuel from the Middle East, as public and private climate goals fall by the wayside.
Green and blue hydrogen are still touted as lower-emission substitutes to conventional "gray" hydrogen -- used in fertilizer production and refining -- and fossil fuels. But the corporate climate case has largely been supplanted by the case for diversification, industry participants said at the CERAWeek by S&P Global Energy conference in Houston.
"Four or five years ago, it was a climate-driven conversation," Rik Sneep, senior vice president at Spain-headquartered integrated energy and chemicals company MOEVE, said during a March 25 panel. "I think it's now more of a security-driven conversation. But in the end, the target is the same."
The war with Iran has added to the sense of urgency.
"It's terrible what's going on in the world right now," Woodside Energy Group Vice President Rick Beuttel, head of the Australia-headquartered oil and natural gas producer's New Energy division, said on the sidelines of CERAWeek. "But it's a good time to bring in a new ammonia plant where the ammonia can get to market without having to pass through the Strait of Hormuz."
Benchmark of the Week
$29.19/allowance
California carbon allowance prices on March 24, compared with $65.26/allowance in Washington state, where demand is outpacing supply.
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CERAWEEK: Energy system shock brings long-term opportunity for carbon markets
Market-driven climate solutions will continue to advance as policymakers shift focus to geopolitical uncertainty, creating an opportunity for carbon markets to turn the Middle East war from a headwind into a tailwind, conference speakers said March 24. The major disruption to the global energy system from the war in the Middle East poses a significant challenge to global energy transition efforts, Dirk Forrister, CEO of the International Emissions Trading Association, said during a panel discussion at the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in Houston.
INTERVIEW: Elengy sustains European LNG offerings, advances transition aims
French LNG terminal operator Elengy anticipates its existing import infrastructure will remain key for the country over the coming years, even as the company positions itself to develop low-carbon energy system infrastructure, the company's chief strategy, sales and business development officer told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy. Elengy plans to convert one terminal into a CO2 export and ammonia import facility. "We don't see any risk for the French gas supply," Christophe Thil said.
EU, cement industry set roadmap to accelerate clean transition, cut CO2
The European Commission convened a high-level policy dialogue with cement producers and stakeholders to accelerate the sector's clean transition amid rising energy costs and direct process emissions, which account for over 60% of the industry's CO2 footprint, the EC said in a statement March 25. Europe's cement industry faces significant decarbonization challenges as it seeks to maintain competitiveness and meet net-zero targets, the EC said.
S&P Global Energy Core
CERAWEEK: CEO says Ford must compete on low-cost EVs or it ‘won’t exist'
Ford Motor Co. is restructuring its electric vehicle production from the ground up, a necessary step to compete with China, the world’s dominant EV market, CEO Jim Farley said March 23. China’s electric vehicle dominance poses an existential threat for manufacturers of gasoline-powered vehicles, Farley said during a panel discussion at the CERAWeek by S&P Global energy conference in Houston.
South Korea eyes local sourcing of clean hydrogen amid Middle East war
South Korea is considering allowing only domestically produced hydrogen in its clean hydrogen power auction to reduce reliance on overseas energy suppliers, a climate and energy ministry official told Platts. The nation’s shift toward local sourcing of low‑carbon hydrogen/ammonia would represent a significant shift in its strategy, which has so far signaled a need to import large-scale clean fuels to meet its net-zero target by 2050. The ministry is discussing a measure to ban imported hydrogen from joining the auction so as to boost the role of domestically produced hydrogen to cope with mounting concerns about global supply disruption.
China's Sungrow Hydrogen ships PEM, alkaline electrolyzers to Oman, Italy, Brazil
China’s Sungrow Hydrogen has delivered alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers to clean hydrogen projects in Oman, Italy and Brazil, expanding its global presence in the renewable hydrogen equipment sector. The renewable energy technology company said it will continue to provide flexible solutions and work closely with global partners to scale up renewable hydrogen projects. Sungrow Hydrogen has executed complex utility-scale projects, supported by advanced in-house production management and automated electrolyzer assembly lines.