Featured in Mountains to climb – 05-2026

Asia speeds up solar

Airstrikes by US and Israeli forces hit targets in Iran on Feb. 27, 2026. The ensuing conflict has brought about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to major fossil fuel production sites across the Gulf region – kicking off what is still unfolding as the most significant supply shock the world’s energy system has seen yet. pv magazine looks at the impacts already playing out across Asia, where many countries rely heavily on fuels transported through the Strait.

By

Mark Hutchins

11 May 2026

Container ships and gas platforms at Ras Laffan.

Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar represents around 20% of the world’s supply of liquefied natural gas. Damage to the facility affecting around 17% of its output will reportedly take three to five years to repair. | Image: Matthew Smith/FlickrCC

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that around 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade and 19% of global liquefied natural gas trade transits the Strait of Hormuz on its way to end users from production sites in the Middle East. The Strait’s closure since the end of February 2026 and continuing uncertainty over future …

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