{"id":77282,"date":"2023-05-07T22:52:42","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T22:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2023\/05\/07\/germanys-poor-utilities-mapping-creates-a-hurdle-for-renewable-cable-expansion-china-is-shoring-up-its-lithium-sources-in-afghanistan-and-indias-unsure-where-it-stands-on-coal\/"},"modified":"2023-05-07T22:52:42","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T22:52:42","slug":"germanys-poor-utilities-mapping-creates-a-hurdle-for-renewable-cable-expansion-china-is-shoring-up-its-lithium-sources-in-afghanistan-and-indias-unsure-where-it-stands-on-coal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2023\/05\/07\/germanys-poor-utilities-mapping-creates-a-hurdle-for-renewable-cable-expansion-china-is-shoring-up-its-lithium-sources-in-afghanistan-and-indias-unsure-where-it-stands-on-coal\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany\u2019s poor utilities mapping creates a hurdle for renewable cable expansion, China is shoring up its lithium sources in Afghanistan, and India\u2019s unsure where it stands on coal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germany\u2019s morass of underground cables are hindering its efforts to go green:<\/strong> Germany\u2019s 5.7 mn km of unmapped underground utility cables and pipes are hindering efforts to install new high-speed cables to connect wind turbines, solar panels, and EV charging stations to the grid, Bloomberg<\/a> reports. Germany \u2014 currently lagging behind its neighbors in its wind and solar expansion \u2014 lacks a central registry mapping wires and pipes for power, gas, telecom, water, and sewage. This is presenting a challenge for planners, builders, and internet providers to determine where the high-speed cables can go. The country has a target of sourcing 80% of its power generation from green sources by 2030.<\/p>\n

\n

China eying Afghani lithium: <\/strong>China is looking to invest USD 10 bn in Afghanistan\u2019s lithium mining sector, which is estimated to amount to USD 1 tn in value, Khaama Press<\/a> reported. China is focusing on downstream investments to maintain dominance over lithium and other minerals essential for EV battery manufacturing. Chinese companies have made sizable investments in lithium mining in Latin America in the past five years including Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Chile. It's also turning to Africa for mineral assets, including cobalt and copper.<\/p>\n

China is EV king: <\/strong>China continues to dominate EV sales<\/a>, with 60% of global EV sales taking place in the country in 2022, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency. Over half of EVs on the road globally are in China, the report added.<\/p>\n

REMEMBER- <\/strong>Copper, cobalt, nickel, and lithium \u2014 critical minerals<\/a> for EV and battery storage production \u2014 are expected to see a massive jump in demand in the coming years as countries roll out their plans for energy transition.<\/p>\n

\n

India still \u2665\ufe0f fossil fuels:<\/strong> Coal is set to account for nearly 54% of India\u2019s power mix by the end of the decade with new coal production plants needed alongside renewables assets to shore up the country\u2019s energy needs, Bloomberg<\/a> reports, referencing a report<\/a> by the country\u2019s Central Electricity Authority. India will need to source some 46 GW from fossil fuels to secure its power needs by the end of the decade in spite of its planned renewables deployments \u2014 which are expected to total 500 GW by the end of the decade, Bloomberg writes. Fossil fuels currently make up nearly three-quarters of the country\u2019s power production capacity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s administration\u2019s new strategy will weaken its previous commitment to decommission some 25 GW worth of coal assets by 2030, committing only to decommissioning 2 GW worth of assets, the business news service notes.<\/p>\n

The report follows plans to halt commissioning of new coal plants:<\/strong> The Indian government is looking to amend its National Electricity Policy in a bid to remove a clause allowing the development of new coal-burning plants as the country looks to divest from fossil fuels, Reuters<\/a> reports, citing sources with knowledge of the matter. The new policy would not have an effect on the 28.2 GW of new coal-based power currently in the pipeline. If approved, the new legislation would leave China as the sole remaining country with plans to install new coal-fired capacity, the newswire notes.<\/p>\n

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-<\/strong><\/p>\n