Latest Energy/Automotive news bulletin | March 22nd – Midday
China accounted for six of the top 10 wind turbine makers globally in 2024, based on the latest report by BloombergNEF (BNEF),
London, March 22, 2025, (Oilandgaspress) ––China’s solar PV and wind generation are expected to continue their strong growth at average annual rates of almost 30% and 18% separately, which are forecast to meet more than 85% of the increase in China’s electricity demand over the outlook period, according to a new electricity report by International Energy Agency (IEA) in March.
The Fiat Grande Panda has claimed an important victory in the international automotive landscape, winning the “Best Urban Vehicle of the Year” at the 13th Motor Awards, held at Vocento’s headquarters in Madrid. This prestigious award was conferred to the newest model of the iconic FIAT car by the Spanish women’s magazine Mujer Hoy, which recognized its smart innovations and practical solutions in a compact design, defining it as an electric and hybrid car with a cutting-edge design, packed with original ideas.
This award holds great prestige in the Spanish automotive sector and recognizes the performance, features, design, and practicality of a diverse range of models from a distinctly female perspective.
Built to meet the needs of a diverse audience in an affordable and eco-friendly way and designed by the Centro Stile Fiat in Turin, the Grande Panda blends Italian flair with modern functionality, staying true to the practicality of the original 1980 Fiat Panda. Available with both hybrid and electric powertrains, it stands out for its commitment to sustainability. In addition, the use of recycled materials – such as aluminum and plastic components from beverage cartons into the blue plastic interiors, and sustainable textiles with real bamboo fibers in the dashboard wrapping, highlight its eco-conscious approach. Read Related News
Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) initiative, has been named ‘Innovator of the Year’ for Middle East and North Africa region in the Energy Heroes Awards 2025, recognizing its leadership in empowering the next generation of sustainability champions.
Presented by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the award celebrates Y4S’s outstanding contribution to equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed to drive energy transformation and build a sustainable future. Y4S is a global initiative that invests in and actively supports the development of young people. Read Related News
Masdar is exploring the acquisition of a stake in French oil major TotalEnergies’ Portuguese renewables assets, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Any deal would likely be done through Saeta Yield, the green energy company Masdar bought last year from Canada’s Brookfield, one of the sources said. Reuters could not determine how big a stake Masdar is interested in. “While we do not comment on market speculation, we continue to explore opportunities in the region as we expand towards our global target of 100 gigawatts by 2030,” a Masdar spokesperson said. TotalEnergies declined to comment. Read Related News
The European Commission has announced an action plan to support the European car industry’s access to key strategic technologies, including batteries, software and autonomous driving, along with cutting regulatory burdens. The Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, presented the plan on Wednesday. It lists five flagship initiatives to support the ailing car industry, which provides 7% of the EU’s GDP and employs around 14 million people across the bloc. However, the sector has been struggling due to supply chain risks, high energy costs and overreliance on critical supplies. Read Related News
Porsche Engineering has developed the concept of an ‘AC battery’ for electric vehicles that unites numerous components in a single part. It is controlled by a standardized control unit concept with a particularly powerful and real-time-capable computing platform. The system was developed as part of a feasibility study, tested on the test bench, and demonstrated in a vehicle. The drive system in electric vehicles usually consists of separate components: A high-voltage battery with battery management system, power electronics for controlling the electric motor, and an on-board charger for charging with AC power. The power electronics convert the DC voltage of the high-voltage battery into the sinusoidal three-phase AC voltage for the traction motor using a pulse inverter. This structure has proved its usefulness in current vehicles, but could be further improved in the future. Read More
The all-electric Macan takes on one of the greatest roads in Europe – the twisting, turning Kotor Serpentine Road in Montenegro. Bordering the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea, the winding roads and stunning scenery of the Montenegrin Littoral are a hidden gem for travellers. And at the heart of this quiet coastal corner of southeast Europe is, unexpectedly for many, a drivers’ paradise: The Kotor Serpentine Road.
One of the greatest driving roads in Europe
A recent media event to mark the addition of the Macan Electric to Porsche’s mid-size SUV series saw journalists from 14 different markets descend on the region, basing themselves in the ancient town of Herceg Novi, Montenegro’s so-called ‘City of the Sun’. From here, a leisurely 60 kilometre drive eastwards around the steep-sided and densely wooded Bay of Kotor brought the convoy of all Macan models to the foot of to what is regarded as one of the greatest driving roads in Europe. Read More
Alfa Romeo unveils details of innovative Q4 system, the project based on efficiency This completes the launch of the Junior model, now available in 38 countries, with 30,000 orders already placed worldwide, of which a significant proportion of 19% in the full-electric configuration. Significant figures that are expected to rise with the launch of the new Ibrida Q4, the only premium compact car to also offer a Q4 all-wheel drive variant with automated rear-wheel drive axle management. At the end of the day, all-wheel drive is an essential factor for a Premium brand like Alfa Romeo, and the Q4 has a smart way to provide it, using the Power Looping Technology system to make sure it works even at low battery.
The all-wheel drive is functional to the DNA and is always active thanks to Power Looping Technology
The Alfa Romeo DNA selector enables the driver to adapt the vehicle’s performance to different driving needs: “Dynamic,” for a sporty driving experience with maximum power; “Natural,” ideal for everyday use; “Advanced Efficiency” to optimize fuel consumption and offer a smooth drive; “Q4,” for low-grip conditions, always ensuring the utmost safety and control. In detail, in “Natural” and “Advanced Efficiency” modes, the Q4 system operates automatically, prioritizing efficiency without sacrificing all-wheel drive when necessary. Up to 90 km/h, the car operates predominantly in front-wheel drive (FWD), to maximize energy efficiency. However, the advanced software can activate rear-wheel drive when required, switching to AWD mode to ensure maximum stability and traction in all driving conditions. Read More
Mercedes-Benz is accelerating the transformation of its production network by reinforcing Berlin-Marienfelde’s status as the centre of innovation for MO360 digital production technologies, which are now enhanced with Artificial Intelligence (AI), humanoid robots and pioneering innovations such as the production of high-performance electric axial-flux motors. Mercedes-Benz Cars Operations 360 digital production ecosystem, or MO360, which contains all the important software applications and data of the global production network. At the MBDFC, the development and testing of new processes and technologies has been combined with seamless and rapid global implementation of pioneering MO360 software applications for automotive production. Mercedes-Benz has now enhanced its MO360 production system with AI features like the Digital Factory Chatbot Ecosystem and the MO360LLM Suite, and with humanoid robots from U.S.-based company Apptronik, reinforcing Berlin-Marienfelde’s status as a centre for global innovation. Today, new production processes and features including those enabled through the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) are tested before they are sent to real-life production lines at other Mercedes-Benz assembly plants. Marienfelde, for example, played an important role in preparing the Rastatt plant for its ramp-up of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, the first vehicle to incorporate MB.OS, which was presented only a few days ago. . Read Related News
With the Sprinter, Mercedes‑Benz Vans launched a van 30 years ago, whose name is still used as a synonym for the entire vehicle category of large vans. Since then, the Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter has been supporting people all over the world in their diverse activities in the trade, craft or service industry and as a camper van base also in their leisure activities. Due to its diversity of variants, it is of particular importance in maintaining state, municipal or private supply-whether used as an ambulance, police, municipal services or in supplying goods and services of daily use. The Sprinter thus keeps the world mobile in a figurative and literal sense. With the eSprinter, this has also increasingly being used locally CO₂-emissions free for around five years.
Approximate one in two Mercedes-Benz Vans bought worldwide is a Sprinter. The top seller among Mercedes‑Benz Vans is produced at four locations worldwide[1]. Many customers remained loyal to the Sprinter across the different vehicle generations. It is now available in more than 130 markets. In Europe, it is the market leader in the large van segment with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 5.5 tons. The five millionth Sprinter will soon be delivered to a customer. Read More
Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. +1 593 Canada -19 to 180
U.S. Rig Count is up 1 from last week to 593 with oil rigs down 1 to 486, gas rigs up 2 to 102 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 5.
Canada Rig Count is down 19 from last week to 180, with oil rigs down 21 to 118, gas rigs up 1 to 61 and miscellaneous rigs up 1 to 1.
International Rig Count is unchanged from last month at 905 with land rigs down 2 to 711, offshore rigs up 2 to 194.
| Region | Period | Rig Count | Change |
| U.S.A | 21 March 2025 | 593 | +1 |
| Canada | 21 March 2025 | 180 | – 19 |
| International | February 2025 | 905 | -4 |
DP World has signed up Mota-Engil, a renowned and experienced construction company, to lead the development of the Banana Port, a vital project that will strengthen the DRC’s position as a key trade hub.
This partnership marks a major milestone in realising the Banana Port project, which is set to transform the country’s trade landscape by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, reducing business costs, and reinforcing the DRC’s economic independence, said DP World in a statement.
The Banana Port will be developed in phases with the first phase designed to accommodate the world’s largest vessels and featuring a 600-metre quay, handling capacity of 450,000 TEUs per year and storage 30 hectares of storage area.
The second phase will extend the quay wall by over 2km, said DP World in a statement.
The construction of the port will involve numerous companies, including local enterprises and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, providing new opportunities for Congolese workers and businesses, it added. Read Related News
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OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup | Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole @oilandgaspress.
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