Asia Energy
China takes Russian oil shipments usually bound for India amid shifting trade flows
At its peak, Russia was India’s largest single supplier of crude, commanding a 36% share of the market. In 2024 alone, New Delhi imported $53bn worth of oil and crude products from Russia.
Taiwan’s vote to switch on nuclear power falls short
A total of 4.34mn (74.2%) people supported restarting the Third Nuclear Power Plant, compared with the 1.51mn (25.8%) who opposed, but the vote required at least a quarter of all eligible citizens (5mn) in favour to pass.
Bangladesh’s rooftop solar ambitions face tight deadlines and systemic challenges
Bangladesh’s ambitious target of adding 3,000 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar capacity by December 2025 risks falling short due to technical, financial and institutional hurdles, according to a new report
Taiwan’s solar revolution faces persistent challenges
Analysts see national projections as doubtful at best given finite land resources, societal friction and the levels of corruption at the local level to get projects started.
Sanctions on Russia push India to send diesel to China for first time since 2021
India’s Nayara Energy, which has ties to Russia’s Rosneft, is shipping diesel to China for the first time in more than four years, as European Union sanctions disrupt its petroleum exports
Indonesia and Malaysia seek peaceful path in Ambalat Sea standoff
The Ambalat region, located in the Sulawesi Sea, has long been contested due to overlapping claims and its strategic importance for oil and gas exploration.
South Korea awaits decision on lifespan extension for ageing reactors
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has halted operations at unit 4 of the Kori nuclear facility as it awaits a government ruling on extending the service life of reactors past 40 years.
US doubles tariffs on India over Russian oil
The US has intensified trade pressure on India by announcing a sharp increase in tariffs on key exports, citing India's continued purchases of Russian oil
Indian opposition blames government on Trump threats
Under President Donald Trump’s second term his administration has taken a much more hawkish stance that Indian purchases enable Russia to weather sanctions and indirectly fund its war effort
Rosatom may whiff on Kazakh nuclear project due to financing yips
Chinese firm teed up to replace Russian entity on project
Can India dump Russian oil imports completely if Trump’s secondary sanctions appear?
Since early 2024 India has typically bought 1.5–2.0 mbpd of Russian crude, or about 35–40% of its total imports. US President Donald Trump is threatening crushing 100% tariffs on Russia’s business partners if they continue to import crude.
China launches first interprovincial green hydrogen pipeline from Inner Mongolia to Beijing
Despite its promise, the project’s success may ultimately rest on market uptake. If industrial demand for hydrogen fails to keep pace with supply - or if pricing frameworks are not supportive - the pipeline could struggle.
Indian state refiners halt Russian oil purchases as discounts narrow, Trump ramps up pressure
Indian state-run oil refiners have paused purchases of Russian crude over the past week amid shrinking discounts and renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump against buying energy from Moscow
India’s refiners face pressure as EU sanctions hit $14bn fuel exports
India’s petroleum exports to the European Union—valued at $14–15bn annually—are under threat following the EU’s latest sanctions package targeting Russian crude and its derivatives.
Papua New Guinea steps up renewable energy drive with global support
Currently, only around 13% of Papua New Guinea’s population has reliable access to electricity, with the majority of rural communities dependent on diesel generators or without power altogether.
Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Indian imports, penalises Russian oil and arms purchases
US President Donald Trump has announced that a 25% tariff, along with an unspecified additional penalty, will be imposed on imports from India starting August 1, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military equipment
Energy under siege: How conflict between Thailand and Cambodia threatens regional power security
Though the border clashes began as a political and territorial confrontation, their ripple effects could severely disrupt energy production, especially in areas near the conflict zone where solar installations lie exposed.
India's Reliance Industries gets ready for the worst
India’s Reliance Industries Ltd. is facing renewed scrutiny over its crude procurement practices following the European Union’s latest round of sanctions targeting diesel derived from Russian oil
Thailand accelerates solar power push
Currently, Thailand boasts the largest solar capacity in the ASEAN region, with more than 3 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2024.