Governments from all over the world are shocked in the aftermath of the Amazonian fire crisis. Brazil has had more than 72,000 fire outbreaks so far this year, an 84 percent increase on the same period in 2018. Countries like Ireland and France have threatened Bolsonaro’s administration with the cancellation of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, while Ireland is considering banning Brazilian beef imports. In the US, Bernie Sanders reunites with California’s fire victims and proposes its “Green New Deal” plan and the retail giant Walmart sues Tesla over solar panel flaws that occasioned seven rooftop fires since 2012.
Even after the cancellation of the long-term electricity auctions, renewables are experiencing its strongest momentum. This week, Engie’s Tres Mesas III wind farm was inaugurated. It is part of a five-project conglomerate that will deliver 593MW to the grid. Iberdrola, which is committed to investing US$5 billion in the country between 2019-2014, announced the construction of a combined cycle and solar park. While the conflict between CFE and private pipeline operators continues, CONCAMIN works on a proposal to ensure gas supply.
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NATIONAL
Queretaro bets for renewable growth. According to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the starting point for to detonate this growth will be an analysis to identify potential projects.
Iberdrola to invest US$750 million in 2019 through a combined cycle plant in Veracruz and a solar park in Puebla. These projects are part of the company’s plan to invest US$5 billion between 2019-2014.
Engie inaugurates Parque Eólico Tres Mesas III in Tamaulipas, which was awarded in the second long-term electricity auction, this facility will deliver 223GWh.
Private initiative gets proposal ready to address pipeline conflict. The National Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN) is working with interested parties to resolve this issue in the following days.
In October, Grupo Bimbo will release 100 percent decomposable wrappers. This is part of the company’s strategy to tackle climate change, in addition to joining the RE100 initiative.
INTERNATIONAL
Already cheaper than gas, China’s renewables to undercut coal by 2026. According to Wood Mackenzie, wind and solar LCOE is already cheaper than gas-fired power generation.
Bernie Sanders proposes huge renewable build-out and publicly owned power. The Democratic candidate’s Green New Deal will direct US$2.4 trillion of investment into renewables and storage.
After seven roof fires, Walmart filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Tesla. The retail giant says Tesla’s “negligent installation and maintenance” has caused fires on seven roofs since 2012.
Amazon rainforest fires: global leaders urged to divert Brazil from ‘suicide path’. In the last five days, there were 7,746 fires in Brazil, causing a 278 percent increase in deforestation in the last month alone.
Brazil threatened over EU Trade Agreement. France and Ireland say they will not ratify trade deal with South America until Brazil takes action on the Amazon fires.
