IEA: Methane emissions remained high in 2025. First large-scale “computing-power synergy” green power direct supply project begins operation
（2026/5/4—2026/5/10）
Author: Shu-Xin Zhang
International Energy News
1. IEA: Methane emissions remained high in 2025
In recent years, many countries and companies have set methane reduction targets to combat global warming and improve air quality. However, a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on May 4 shows that global fossil fuel-related methane emissions remained at “extremely high” levels in 2025, with no signs of decline worldwide.
The report notes that reducing methane emissions can also enhance energy security. Following disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply fell by about 20 percent, making energy security a major concern for many countries. If certain natural gas exporting and importing countries implement methane reduction measures in their gas systems, nearly 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas could be released to the market in the short term. In the long term, the global oil and gas industry could release nearly 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually by reducing methane emissions.
The report argues that many methane reduction solutions are already mature and cost-effective, and that around 70 percent of fossil fuel-related methane emissions could be avoided using existing technologies. One effective way to reduce methane emissions is to tackle upstream emissions in the energy sector. Currently, upstream methane emissions from the oil and gas industry account for 80 percent of the industry’s total emissions.
2. Colombia’s coal output falls to lowest level in 22 years
Colombia’s coal production fell to about 53.9 million tonnes in 2025, down 9 million tonnes from the previous year and the lowest level in 22 years, according to a report by the Colombian Coal Association. Export revenues totaled approximately $4 billion, accounting for 7.7 percent of the country’s total exports. A heavier tax burden, higher logistics costs, and the loss of traditional markets are cited as reasons for the industry’s downturn. Coal is a traditional bulk export commodity for Colombia.
The report shows that South Korea was the largest export market for Colombian coal in 2025. Colombia exported only 500,000 tonnes of coal to China, a sharp drop of 92.4 percent compared with the previous year.
3. Brazil cancels 3.57 GW of solar licenses due to grid connection constraints
Brazil’s national electricity agency has revoked permits for a total of 3,572 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic projects under four recent resolutions. Common reasons cited include insufficient grid delivery capacity needed to connect power plants to transmission and distribution systems, as well as power generation curtailment issues.
By state, the canceled capacity is concentrated mainly in Piauí and Minas Gerais, with 1,747 MW and 1,265 MW revoked respectively. Projects in Bahia, Tocantins, and Rio Grande do Norte have also been canceled. Under the regulations, projects meeting the revocation criteria are not permitted to sell electricity in the regulated market, meaning these revoked permits were originally intended for projects in the free market.
Despite ongoing cancellations - another batch totaling 2.8 GW was revoked in March - solar power remains the largest technology in Brazil’s utility-scale expansion pipeline. Distributed generation is facing similar grid connection constraints. In addition to expanding transmission capacity through auctions, increasing battery storage deployment is also seen as a potential solution to alleviate bottlenecks.
Domestic energy news
1. First large-scale “computing-power synergy” green power direct supply project begins operation
On May 2, China’s first large-scale “computing-power synergy” green power direct supply project - the 500 MW photovoltaic power station of China Datang Zhongwei Cloud Base - was officially put into operation in Zhongwei, Ningxia.
According to a project official, the Zhongwei Cloud Base data center green power supply project includes a 500 MW photovoltaic power plant and a 1,500 MW wind power project. The 500 MW solar plant has now commenced operation, while the 1,500 MW wind power project is planned to reach full grid connection by September this year.
Upon completion, the annual power generation of the entire project will be able to meet the 229 GWh electricity demand of the Zhongwei Cloud Base data center. From a technical perspective, the electricity generated by this photovoltaic station does not go to the public grid. Instead, it is transmitted through four dedicated mountain-ridge transmission lines, establishing a “point-to-point” physical direct supply channel for green electricity to nearby computing parks. This ensures clear traceability of green power and stable supply. For existing loads, a virtual direct supply is achieved through bilateral trading in the electricity market, locking in long-term supply relationships using existing power facilities and significantly reducing retrofitting costs.
With the full operation of the first phase and the subsequent construction of the second phase, Zhongwei City will form a 4,600 MW cluster - the country’s first large-scale “computing-power synergy” green power direct supply project - providing solid support for the national “East Data West Computing” project and the implementation of the national computing-power synergy strategy.
2. World’s largest single-capacity floating offshore wind platform installed
China Three Gorges corporation announced on May 3 that the world’s largest single-capacity floating offshore wind platform - the 16 MW “Three Gorges Linghang” - was successfully installed in the waters off Yangjiang, Guangdong, on the evening of May 2. This marks a breakthrough in China’s deep-sea floating wind power technology.
The “Three Gorges Linghang” is installed on a semi-submersible floating platform approximately 80 meters long, 90 meters wide, with a displacement of 24,000 tonnes. The platform relies on nine suction anchors, paired with domestically produced high-performance polyester fiber ropes and anchor chains, to achieve seabed mooring positioning. The polyester fiber ropes, which feature high elasticity, high strength, and durability, are being used for the first time in China's offshore wind power sector.
When the unit is hit by wind and waves, the polyester fiber ropes can effectively absorb wave energy through their elastic deformation, reducing the impact of rigid forces on the equipment structure. Each rope can withstand a maximum tensile force of 1,300 tonnes and can resist corrosion and fatigue in marine environments over the long term, representing a major breakthrough in China’s high-end mooring material technology.
On the basis of achieving stable mooring, the “Three Gorges Linghang” also applies an active ballast system for the first time in China’s offshore wind industry. During routine turbine operation, the system automatically adjusts the water volume in the three column ballast tanks to control the platform’s attitude, effectively reducing the turbine’s swaying amplitude under wind and wave conditions and further ensuring stable operation.
The “Three Gorges Linghang” also provides a new solution to the challenge of power transmission in complex sea conditions. The 66 kV domestically produced dynamic submarine cable, applied for the first time, adopts a waveform structural design. Through measures such as rationally arranging buoyancy and gravity blocks and installing bending protection devices, the cable is kept in a safe configuration in the water.
3. Major oil and gas infrastructure projects accelerate at the start of the 15th five-year plan
At the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China’s oil and gas infrastructure development has accelerated significantly. PipeChina is currently constructing nearly 40 key pipeline projects, with a total length of more than 9,000 kilometers. Among them, the 3rd storage tank of the Hainan LNG Phase II project recently successfully completed its “air lifting” operation, and is expected to add 400 million cubic meters of gas storage capacity upon completion in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Lianyungang - Yizheng crude oil pipeline (Lianyungang - Huai’an section) has entered its final construction stage and is expected to be put into operation by the end of June this year, significantly enhancing the security of crude oil supply in the Yangtze River region.
On the natural gas trunk pipeline network, the overall progress of the Hulin -Changchun pipeline has exceeded 90 percent, and it is expected to be fully operational and achieve multiple interconnections by the end of 2026. In addition, key projects such as the second line of the Sichuan - East Gas Transmission pipeline and the Zhundong Coal-to-Gas pipeline are advancing rapidly. Projects including the Suzhou – Anhui - Henan trunk line and the northern main line of Shandong’s pipeline network are also fully underway. As these major energy infrastructure projects are gradually completed, China’s natural gas supply security and regional peak-shaving capacity will be further enhanced.
(Main news sources: CCTVNEWS APP, Xinhua New Media, International Energy Network, China Energy Network, National Energy Administration, PV magazine)
