Energy Transition, Renewables, Emissions, Carbon
May 13, 2026
ET Highlights: CCS delay holds up Dutch blue hydrogen, EU awards hydrogen subsidies, data center power demand tests green targets
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
Porthos CCS delay holds up Dutch blue hydrogen projects
A delay in the start-up to the Porthos carbon capture and storage project in the Netherlands has pushed back the start date for two major blue hydrogen production plants in the country, and forced other key emitters to adapt their plans.
Porthos CCS is now not expected to start operations until the second half of 2027, from a previous timeline of the end of 2026, following a project schedule review.
Shell, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide and Air Products are the customers for the 2.5 million metric ton/year facility.
Air Products and Air Liquide are both constructing carbon capture projects retrofitted onto their respective hydrogen production facilities in Rotterdam, each of around 100,000 mt/year capacity.
Benchmark of the Week
98 euro cent/kg
The clearing price for the EU’s third Hydrogen Bank subsidy auction, compared with Platts cost-of-production assessments at Eur8.29/kg in Spain on May 8.
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EU third hydrogen bank awards Eur1.1 bil for 1.1-GW electrolysis
The European Commission has awarded Eur1.09 billion ($1.28 billion) in funding under the third hydrogen bank auction for almost 1.1 gigawatts of electrolyzer capacity, the EC said in a statement May 7. A total of 439 megawatts was awarded in the renewable fuel of non-biological origin category, clearing at 57-98 euro cent/kg.
INTERVIEW: Japan's MOL sees Southeast Asia as long-term growth engine
Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines sees Southeast Asia entering a new phase of growth opportunities as the group expands beyond traditional shipping into energy infrastructure, logistics, and wider supply-chain businesses across the region, the company's senior managing executive officer Tomoaki Ichida told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy. Ichida reaffirmed the company's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that balancing sustainability goals with financial returns remains critical.
Surging US data center power demand tests sustainability targets
The US data center building boom is putting the sustainability ambitions of power-hungry hyperscalers to the test, with capital expenditures climbing, natural gas deals proliferating and demand for electricity outpacing even some of the most bullish forecasts. US grid power supplied to hyperscale, leased and crypto-mining data centers increased 25% in 2025 to reach about 64.4 gigawatts and has nearly tripled since 2020, according to data from 451 Research, part of S&P Global Energy Horizons.
S&P Global Energy Core
Clean energy groups urge UK to lower electricity costs, boost policy certainty
High electricity costs and policy uncertainty are driving closures across heavy industry and deterring investment in hydrogen, carbon capture, and electrification projects, clean energy industry groups said May 7. The Carbon Capture and Storage Association, Hydrogen UK, and Electrify Industry told Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in a letter that more urgent action is needed to prevent further closures in sectors from refining to chemicals, where one-third of capacity has disappeared even as the country races to build a net-zero economy.
NH3 Clean Energy's WAH2 ammonia project wins major status in Australia
NH3 Clean Energy's WAH2 clean ammonia project in Western Australia has been granted federal major project status for three years, providing access to streamlined approvals as the company targets a final investment decision by the end of 2026. The project aims to supply renewable ammonia to Asia-Pacific, including Japan and South Korea, and to provide decarbonized bunker fuel for bulk carriers transporting iron ore from Australia to Asia, NH3 Clean Energy said.
Apple backs 150 MW India renewable energy investment
Apple announced a partnership with renewable energy developer CleanMax for new renewable capacity development in India, as part of the technology company's broader environmental initiatives, including green entrepreneurship. Apple will invest an initial Rupees 1 billion ($12 million) to develop more than 150 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity, with the option to further expand in the coming years, Apple said.
RGGI carbon prices plunge after regulators warn on volatility
Carbon prices in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative fell 15% on the day May 8 following a RGGI statement addressing the recent volatility in the allowance's futures contracts. The May 8 announcement comes as RGGI futures prices have risen above thresholds that automatically release additional allowances at auctions for cost containment.