[Japan] JERA partners with Newlab New Orleans to advance low-concentration CO2 capture technologies

As of December 3, 2025, JERA has entered a partnership with Newlab New Orleans, a startup platform focused on the critical technologies for energy and industry of the Gulf South. [1] The partnership aims to accelerate next-generation carbon capture technologies designed for low-concentration CO2 emissions. Newlab is a global venture platform supporting the development of new technologies through infrastructure and partnerships. Newlab New Orleans is the organization’s public-private innovation hub in Louisiana, which provides a unique environment to test and deploy early-stage technologies. Although Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has advanced significantly, capturing CO2 from lower-concentration sources remains a complex challenge. Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) produce low-CO2 emissions, making conventional capture methods costly and inefficient. JERA and Newlab New Orleans have launched a program to evaluate, test, and advance startups under conditions representative of real industrial emissions. They will select a group of Point Source Capture startups and identify one technology for deeper development and commercialization in 2026.

[1] https://www.jera.co.jp/en/news/information/20251203_2322

[USA] Hurricanes in 2024 were the leading cause of lengthy power outages in the US

As of December 1, 2025, an Energy Information Administration (EIA) report found that Americans lost more power last year than any year in the previous decade. [1] US electricity customers experienced an average of 11 hours of power outages in 2024, which is almost twice as many as the annual average across the previous decade. [2] The leading cause for 80% of those hours were hurricanes, with major ones like Beryl, Helene, and Milton causing most of last year’s outages. The report builds on a growing body of evidence that extreme weather is taking a heavier toll on the electric power system in certain parts of the country. An October report by JD Power found that the average length of the longest outages has increased. Hurricane Helene especially caused severe damage to utility systems in the US Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida faced strong winds and flooding from the hurricane that affected transmission and distribution power lines, as well as substations, leading to prolonged power outages. In contrast, customers in Arizona, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Massachusetts experienced less than two hours of service interruptions on average in 2024.

[1] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=66744

[2] https://www.jdpower.com/business/resources/disasters-become-fact-life-many-us-electric-utility-customers

[USA] North Carolina leaders examine data center boom and Duke Energy rate hike

As of December 2, 2025, North Carolina’s state Energy Policy Task Force met to examine how rapid load growth from data centers and new industries could strain the grid, as rising power bills have become a cause for concern. [1] Governor Josh Stein, who formed the task force, opposed Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike of 15% over the next two years. [2] The task force meeting focused on how other states are responding to the data center boom now affecting North Carolina. [3] Luke Wilson, executive director of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, stated that his state expects peak demand to rise by 60% by the 2030s, mainly driven by data centers. Indiana’s new rules require large load users to cover most of the cost of the new generation built to serve them. Virginia State Corporation Commission member Kelsey Baggett stated that Virginia has seen hundreds of data center projects queue up for grid access, prompting regulators to create a separate electric rate class so big-tech users pay their share. Under North Carolina’s current structure, residential customers shoulder a greater share of the cost while large commercial customers pay less. The task force is expected to deliver recommendations in February on this issue.

[1] https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/12/02/governor-josh-stein-opposes-duke-energy-rate-hike-supports-attorney-general-jeff-jacksons-motion

[2] https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/dec-nc-rate-case

[3] https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S266v0.pdf

[USA] FERC approves Amazon data center transmission agreement

As of November 21, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a transmission service agreement between the Exelon utility PECO Energy and Amazon Data Services. The agreement outlined how Amazon will pay for grid upgrades necessary to supply power to a planned data center in Pennsylvania. [1] FERC rejected a call by the PJM Interconnection’s market monitor Monitoring Analytics to assess how the data center’s could affect capacity and energy costs for ratepayers and grid reliability, suggesting that it was outside the scope of the proceeding. [2] In its decision, FERC said that the agreement met the Mobile-Sierra presumption, under which FERC must presume that freely negotiated contracts between independent parties are just and reasonable unless the rates seriously harm the public.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20251121-3082&optimized=false&sid=6ffa06c5-f611-4c4a-8733-24dc0020ea7f

[2] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20251014-5324&optimized=false&sid=b9f74d99-7bc8-482f-b41a-93085b205c5a

[USA] DOE interconnection proposal sparks concerns over federal-state jurisdiction

As of November 21, 2025, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that under the Federal Power Act, states have jurisdiction over retail load interconnections regardless of their size, as well as “end-use” electricity sales. [1] This comes after the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposal sparked major jurisdictional concerns among federal regulators about setting rules for interconnecting data centers and other large loads to the transmission system. [2] NARUC asserted that regulating end-user load interconnections is outside FERC jurisdiction, in response to the DOE’s request that the commission set interconnection rules for large loads. [3] State regulators also raised concerns about who would take responsibility for reliability concerns if FERC’s jurisdiction expanded. The PJM Interconnection emphasized that directing regional transmission organizations and independent system operators to develop large-load interconnection queues could cause litigation and uncertainty over litigation issues. Midcontinent Independent System Operator told FERC that adopting a standardized large load interconnection procedures could negate the existing state-driven interconnection processes and ongoing work.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20251121-5132&optimized=false&sid=49b255c8-ee88-44cf-be1f-cd6ec661393e

[2] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20251027-3056&optimized=false&sid=6c26ba03-1f83-4013-9b9a-ce29e921ecfe&

[3] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-issues-notice-extending-comment-period-proposed-anopr-interconnection-large?

[Japan] Niigata governor approves TEPCO’s first nuclear reactor restart since Fukushima

As of November 21, 2025, Niigata Governor Hideo Hanazumi agreed to the restart of a nuclear reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant, the first for operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) since the 2011 Fukushima accident. [1] A public opinion survey conducted in the summer of 2025 revealed that the safety and disaster prevention measures at the plant are not sufficiently recognized by residents of Niigata prefecture. According to the survey, younger generations between the ages of 20-30 tend to be more supportive of restarting the plant compared to older generations. The issue of how to approach the potential restart of the plant has been a long-standing concern for residents as opinions are very divided. The governor has stated that if he receives approval from the assembly to continue serving as governor, he will report the move to the national government, thereby ending the process of obtaining local consent. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) cleared both the No. 6 and No. 7 reactors following safety reviews in 2017. The governor has insisted that the plant is considered necessary to abide by the national policy that is advancing the use of nuclear power generation for its stability, self-sufficiency, and ability to address vulnerabilities in Japan’s power supply structure.

[1] https://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/471705.pdf

[USA] New FERC commissioners discuss FERC priorities at first open meeting

As of November 20, 2025, newly appointed Chair Laura Swett and Commissioner David LaCerte stated that bringing data centers to support artificial intelligence online is their top priority for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). [1] Swett emphasized that in addition to keeping the lights on for all Americans, her priority is to ensure that data centers are connected and powered as quickly as possible. [2] Commissioner LaCerte suggested that the AI data race required bold action to protect the economy and national security. FERC is considering a proposal from the US Department of Energy (DOE) for new rules dictating the interconnection of data centers and other large loads to the grid. LaCerte asserted that action on data centers must be balanced with maintaining affordable electricity. LaCerte stated that keeping ratepayers in mind in all deliberations is essential, while also ensuring that energy companies don’t face unnecessary obstacles that hinder their efforts.

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events/november-20-2025-open-meeting-10022024

[2] https://pubs.naruc.org/pub/2C526A94-D533-BE0A-336A-178A366C7A91

[USA] DOE closes $1B loan to restart Three Mile Island nuclear unit

As of November 18, 2025, the US Department of Energy (DOE) closed on a $1 billion loan to restart Constellation Energy’s 835 MW Crane nuclear unit in Pennsylvania. [1] Constellation intends to sell power produced from the unit to Microsoft. Inspections of key parts of the unit, formerly Three Mile Island Unit 1, and regulatory reviews are on schedule. [2] The company expects to spend about $1.6 billion to restart the unit, possibly as soon as 2027. Under the agreement, Constellation can borrow up to $1 billion through September 15, 2030. The company must pay the loan back by November 2055. The loan is part of the administration’s effort to promote nuclear power. This marks the first project to receive a concurrent conditional commitment and financial close under the current administration, according to DOE Secretary Chris Wright.

[1] https://www.constellationenergy.com/newsroom/2024/Constellation-to-Launch-Crane-Clean-Energy-Center-Restoring-Jobs-and-Carbon-Free-Power-to-The-Grid.html

[2] https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-closes-loan-restart-nuclear-power-plant-pennsylvania

[USA] Electricity prices will continue to rise in the coming year

As of November 12, 2025, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its latest short-term energy outlook that overall US wholesale electricity prices are expected to continue rising next year in 2026. [1] The forecast of the load-weighted average of the 11 regional wholesale prices is $47/MWh in 2025, which is 23% higher than the 2024 average. It is expected to reach $51/MWh in 2026, another 8.5% increase. The main driver of the wholesale prices next year is a predicted 45% increase at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas-North pricing hub. The EIA stated that although natural gas prices tend to be the biggest determinant of power prices, the increase in power prices in ERCOT in the coming year reflect large hourly spikes in summer months from high demand and low supply in the region. The report states that the increases in Texas and nearby states contribute 34% of the growth in US electricity sales in 2025 and 66% of growth in sales in 2026.

[1] https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/

[USA] Former FERC commissioners urge Supreme Court to uphold agency independence

As of November 13, 2025, a bipartisan group of 11 former commissioners at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) told the Supreme Court that the Humphrey’s Executor precedent providing tenure protection to members of independent agencies should be upheld. [1] In an amicus brief, the former energy regulators stated that if the court decides to overturn or modify the precedent, it should specify that ratemaking commissions like FERC would not be affected. According to the brief, a court decision that would allow a president to fire FERC commissioners without cause and replace them with party-aligned members would threaten the US economy. The former commissioners stated that eliminating for-cause removal protections would expose energy investors to political uncertainty and policy volatility. Rates set by FERC help finance $40 billion in new pipelines and power lines annually. The court is set to hear oral arguments in the case on December 8.

[1] https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-332/384354/20251113113140770_25-332_Amicus%20Brief.pdf

[Japan] Japan investment in US increases exponentially

As of October 28, 2025, the US signed a critical minerals agreement with Japan, and deepened US-Japan cooperation in trade, supply chain resilience, and energy security, among other areas. [1] President Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed the US-Japan Framework Agreement in which Japanese companies outline their investment plans In American critical energy infrastructure, AI infrastructure, electronics, and supply chain, critical minerals, manufacturing, and more. [2] The critical minerals agreement primarily aims to diversify the critical minerals supply chain and review inbound investment and address risks from outbound investments. In the way of energy security, Tokyo Gas and JERA announced letters of intent with Glenfarne for LNG offtake from a pipeline set to be constructed in Alaska. JERA also announced an investment in Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale basin. Global Coal Sales Group announced a multi-year deal with Tohoku Electric Power for US-sourced thermal coal. The US and Japan also signed an MOC for a US-Japan Technology Prosperity Deal to cooperate on AI adoption and innovation. Additional areas of collaboration include research security, quantum information science and technology, fusion energy, and more.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/28195/

[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2025/10/20251028002/20251028002-a.pdf

[USA] Xcel to build large battery energy storage site at Sherco plant

As of October 31, 2025, Xcel Energy asked Minnesota regulators for permission to double the battery storage capacity at a location adjacent to its coal-fired Sherco power plant which is slated to retire by the end of 2030. [1] The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has already approved 300 MW to be installed at the plant. [2] Xcel is proposing to increase that capacity to 600 MW, making it the largest battery storage site in the upper Midwest. It would also add another 135.5 MW at the company’s Blue Lake facility and expand the Sherco Solar facility with an additional 200 MW. Xcel plans to begin construction on the battery storage projects in 2026, bringing them online in late 2027. They will use lithium iron phosphate battery cell technology that discharge energy in four-hour increments and are quick to recharge, allowing for regular use.

[1] https://puc.eip.mn.gov/web/project/25319?

[2] https://newsroom.xcelenergy.com/news/xcel-energy-to-build-upper-midwests-largest-battery-storage-site?

[USA] US installed 26 GW of new capacity in 8 month span

As of October 30, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) infrastructure report stated that the US installed almost 26 GW of new generation capacity between January and August 2025. [1] The number is up slightly from 23 GW over the same period last year. Solar has continued to dominate new generation resources for most of the past two years now, accounting for 2.7 GW of 4 GW brought online in August alone. The report mentions that FERC also reissued a certificate for Williams Companies to construct and operate its Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. The expansion of the Transco gas pipeline between New Jersey and New York was revived following talks between President Donald Trump and Governor Kathy Hochul in May after the administration froze the Empire Wind project briefly. The White House and the wind project developer have stated that there was a gas-for-wind deal involved, while Hochul has denied striking any bargain.

[1] https://cms.ferc.gov/media/energy-infrastructure-update-august-2025

[Japan] Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae remarks regarding Trump’s visit to Japan

As of October 28, 2025, Prime Minister Takaichi held her first in-person summit meeting with President Trump. [1] The meeting centered on strengthening the Japan-US alliance, and expanding cooperation with partners such as Japan-US-ROK, Japan-US-Philippines, and Japan-US-Australia-India. Prime Minister Takaichi conveyed to President Trump Japan’s intention to strengthen economic security cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, rare earths, AI, and other advanced technologies. President Trump and the Prime Minister signed documents on the implementation of a bilateral agreement and on cooperation in rare earths and critical minerals. Japan intends to focus on economic growth by implementing this bilateral agreement that was reached in July.

[1] https://japan.kantei.go.jp/104/statement/202510/28kaiken.html?

[USA] OpenAI warns White House about pace of China’s energy development

As of October 27, 2025, OpenAI sent a letter to the White House warning about China’s edge in the AI’s race. [1] The company expressed that China has developed “real momentum” in energy production, adding 429 GW of new power capacity in 2024. In contrast, the US contributed just 51 GW. OpenAI recommends that the US prioritize closing the gap by building 100 GW of new energy capacity a year. The letter, penned by OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Christopher Lehane, encourages the government to invest in manufacturing and the workforce especially in rural communities. Lehane lists 4 suggestions of actions the federal government should take, including; strengthening America’s industrial base and manufacturing, removing or modernizing energy regulatory policy to unlock power, equipping workers by funding workforce development and scaling AI education, and ensuring that frontier AI systems protect American national security interests. Lehane also writes that the government should tighten FERC Order Number 2023 interconnection timelines by instituting automatic enforcement  of late submissions and standardizing extension timelines. The government can also create a fast track for shovel-ready projects to allow simple AI infrastructure projects to “skip the line,” and prioritize projects that connect high-generation regions to major load centers.

[1] https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/21b88bb5-10a3-4566-919d-f9a6b9c3e632/openai-ostp-rfi-oct-27-2025.pdf

[USA] FERC rejects large load tariff of Tri-State

As of October 27, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a large load tariff that was proposed by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association because it intruded on retail rate regulation which falls under state jurisdiction. [1] The August 28 proposal came about because utilities like AEP Ohio and Dominion Energy Virginia have adopted tariffs that set out terms and conditions for interconnecting data centers and other large loads. Tri-State, with over 40 utility members, stated that there is growing interest in building data centers in the Mountain West region. The cooperative stated that its proposed High Impact Load (HIL) tariff and HIL agreement would protect its utility members from various risks associated with large loads, including the potential need for additional transmission and generation, as well as cost-shifting to ratepayers. The Data Center Coalition opposed the proposal suggesting that the cooperative failed to show that it was within FERC’s jurisdiction. It also asserted that the emerging large load tariffs per utility was stifling data center development. In a 3-0 ruling, FERC dismissed Tri-State’s claims that since the proposed HIL program is similar to its agency-approved demand response program, program should be considered as falling under FERC’s authority.

[1] https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20251027-3053&optimized=false&sid=4840b4cc-e336-449f-99a7-1eac581fbf3a

[Japan] Prime Minister Takaichi's policy speech and energy security vision

As of October 24, 2025, newly elected Prime Minister Takaichi delivered a policy speech at the 219th session of the Diet, covering national security, economics, food security, healthcare, energy security, and other areas. [1] Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the need for a stable and affordable energy supply to maintain Japan’s competitiveness. She highlighted that nuclear power and perovskite solar cells are especially important. Furthermore, she stated the intention to maximize the use of carbon-free energy sources while “promoting energy conservation and fuel conversion through photonics-electronics convergence technology and other means.” Additionally, she mentioned that Japan will aim to achieve early implementation of next-generation innovative reactors and fusion energy. 

[1] https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/104/statement/2025/1024shoshinhyomei.html

[USA] FERC grid reliability conference considers data center issue

On October 21, 2025, the grid reliability conference held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) considered the issue of how to safely add data centers to the grid. [1] At the meeting, the North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC) president and CEO Jim Robb stated that although grid reliability in the US is strong, challenges are growing. He mentioned the increasing number of small scale events and near misses that reinforce the idea of a “five-alarm fire” when it comes to reliability. Robb suggested that grid reliability challenges entail dwindling resource adequacy, weakening reliability services, extreme weather, interdependency with natural gas, policies affecting resource and fuel development, and more. FERC Commissioner Judy Chang warned that the US faces potential imbalances between electricity supply and demand amid uncertainty about how much load may come online and how much generation and transmission will be required to manage it. The need for planning and accurate load forecasting to resolve these issues was a prominent topic throughout the conference.

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events/commissioner-led-reliability-technical-conference-05142025

[USA] DOE releases nuclear fusion road map

As of October 16, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a nuclear fusion road map that reviews barriers to deployment and provides strategies to address them. [1] The road map suggests that the goal is to achieve private-sector fusion scaleup in the 2030s. The DOE stated that the road map will start the transition to a future Office of Fusion Energy and Innovation once its goals are met, after which the office will carve a path to fusion commercialization. The barriers to deploying fusion originate from Structural Materials, Plasma-Facing Components, Advancing Confinement Approaches, Fuel Cycle and Tritium Processing, Blankets and Fusion Plant Engineering, and System Integration. DOE envisions that in the next two to three years, the public sector will build small-to-medium test stands, start design of large-scale facilities, and pursue research and development regarding neutron sources. The road map plans for the private sector to start nuclear operation of early generation power plants five to 10 years from now.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/fusion-s%26t-roadmap-101625.pdf

[USA] 12 Amazon SMRs to be deployed at Washington nuclear facility

As of October 16, 2025, Amazon announced that the planned Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington will deploy 12 small modular reactors (SMRs). [1] The facility will be built by Energy Northwest with funding from Amazon. Three 320-MW sections will together comprise a 960-MW plant, in contrast with traditional nuclear power facilities with a 1-GW plant. The SMRs will be supplied by X-energy, which received $500 million in Series C funding from Amazon last year, using the company’s advanced nuclear reactor design. The facility will be built outside Richland, Washington, near Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station. Construction is expected to commence at the end of the decade, with operations targeted to start in the 2030s. The SMRs will be the Xe-100 design, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor developed by X-energy, each module of which can provide 80-MW of full-time electricity.

[1] https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-smr-nuclear-energy