Yahoo Finance·2026-01-02 14:28Group 1: Nuclear Energy Outlook - Global nuclear capacity could reach 1,428 GWe by 2050, exceeding the 1,200-GWe target, driven by extended operation of existing reactors and new units under construction [1] - Nuclear generation reached a record 2,667 TWh in 2024, with 50 countries planning nuclear projects for 2050, including major players like China, France, India, Russia, and the U.S. [1] - Realizing the projected capacity will require accelerated licensing, expanded supply chains, and clear policy frameworks, with support from industrial giants and financial institutions [1] Group 2: Swedish Nuclear Development - Vattenfall and Industrikraft i Sverige AB signed an agreement to co-invest in new small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Ringhals site, with Industrikraft taking a 20% stake and investing SEK 400 million ($42.2 million) [2] - The project aims to ensure Swedish technology's competitiveness in the European supply chain, with Vattenfall considering GE Vernova's BWRX-300 and Rolls-Royce SMR for a 1,500 MW project [2] - The partnership aligns with Sweden's state-aid act, which facilitates loans for new units at existing nuclear sites [2] Group 3: California Battery Storage Expansion - California's battery storage capacity reached a record 16,942 MW, achieving about one-third of the state's 2045 target, with a 2,100% increase since 2019 [3] - The state has more battery capacity than any jurisdiction except China, with significant contributions from utility-scale projects and residential installations [3] - California's strategy aims for 100% clean electricity by 2045, with renewables currently supplying nearly 67% of in-state retail electricity sales [3] Group 4: TotalEnergies and Google Partnership - TotalEnergies signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google to supply 1.5 TWh of renewable electricity from its Montpelier solar farm in Ohio [4] - The PPA supports Google's strategy for carbon-free energy and aligns with TotalEnergies' goal to meet the growing demand from the digital sector [4] - TotalEnergies is deploying a 10-GW U.S. portfolio of renewable projects, aiming for 35 GW of installed capacity by the end of 2025 [5] Group 5: China's Nuclear Advancements - Unit 2 of China's Zhangzhou nuclear power project connected to the grid, marking both Hualong One units operational for the first time [6] - The project is set to provide over 60 TWh of clean electricity annually, meeting 75% of demand for Xiamen and Zhangzhou cities [6] - Hualong One represents China's self-developed third-generation reactor technology, with six units planned at the site [6]