China will continue building new coal-fired power plants through at least 2027, according to a new policy directive released Monday by the country’s top economic planner and energy regulator. The guidelines, aimed at upgrading China’s coal power system, position new coal capacity as a crucial “backup” for intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The move signals a more prolonged role for coal in China’s energy mix than some had anticipated, potentially raising questions about Beijing’s commitment to reducing coal use during the critical 2026–2030 climate transition window. However, the guidelines emphasize that new coal projects are intended to support grid reliability and meet peak electricity demand, especially in regions where power shortages are more likely.

U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are on course for a historic expansion, transforming the country’s energy industry and reshaping global gas markets through 2030. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, LNG exports are expected to climb from a record 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2024 to 21.5 bcfd by the end of the decade, a near doubling that would lock in America’s role as the world’s dominant LNG supplier.

This rapid expansion is set to provide fresh life to the shale industry, which has seen oil output plateau and drilling economics tighten as prime acreage becomes scarcer. The boom is underpinned by a wave of new export infrastructure. Venture Global has sanctioned its CP2 plant in Louisiana, Cheniere is adding two more liquefaction trains at Corpus Christi, and Australia’s Woodside has advanced its own Louisiana project.

The lithium market is undergoing a significant transformation as demand surges due to the global energy transition and the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs). This shift is leading to changes in how lithium is priced and sold, moving away from long-term contracts toward more transparent and dynamic…