Total

Open-source blockchain platform Energy Web Foundation has revealed the number of its affiliates has risen from 37 to 100 in recent months. New members include EnBW, Total and a unit of the State Grid Corporation of China. The platform was conceived to create an energy-blockchain ecosystem and to accelerate the energy transition.

As RP Global starts work on 11 solar hybrid mini-grids on Lake Victoria that will supply electricity to 160,000 people, analyst Wood Mackenzie has released a report stating how increased capital flows in the sector may still fall short of securing universal electricity access by 2030. Nonetheless, off-grid solar is the cheapest and most viable solution for remote areas and attracts investment from fossil fuel majors and venture capital funds.

With Europe set to return to solar power levels last seen during the PV boom seven years ago, a wave of mergers and acquisitions is taking place as the oil and gas majors splash the cash to buy the expertise needed to participate in PV’s new dawn.

Greenpeace France has launched a Green Electricity Guide, which ranks 19 French electricity providers in terms of their renewable energy offers. The environmental association accuses several providers of practicing greenwashing, as they buy power from nuclear power plants and then turn it “green” using guarantee of origin certificates.

The U.S. firm expects France will reach a cumulative capacity of 28 GW by 2027, 3 GW more than previously forecast. The reasons for the increase are the renewed efforts of the French government to push for more solar, and the solar plans of big energy players such as EDF and Total.

Oil and gas company Total has announced it will work alongside Shanghai-based NIO – the world’s inaugural Formula E champion – to develop products for a potentially huge electric vehicle marketplace in the populous Asian nation.

The Brazilian oil giant has signed a memorandum of understanding with its French strategic ally, Total and its subsidiary, Total Eren to invest in solar and on-shore wind projects in Brazil.

The announcement was given by the French energy company during the #PlaceAuSoleil initiative, a new plan of France’s government to speed up PV development, and to make surfaces for large-scale solar plants available. The new package of measures includes doubling the volume of tenders for PV projects on agricultural land and increasing by 50% the volume of tenders for rooftop PV.

The French oil group, which is the parent company of U.S. solar manufacturer, SunPower, is set to acquire a 74.33% stake in France’s third largest power utility, Direct Energie. With this move, Total is gearing up to expand its presence in the power sector, particularly in France and Belgium.

Engie has become partner of the solar and hydrogen-propelled catamaran, Energy Observer, while Total has become the founding partner of the Cathay Smart Energy Fund in China.