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Eu Installs 65.1 Gw Of Solar In 2025The European Union deployed 65.1 GW of solar this year, according to SolarPower Europe’s EU Solar Market Outlook 2025-2030.
The figure is a 0.7% decrease on the 65.6 GW installed in 2024, the report says, making 2025 the first year since 2016 when less solar was added than the year before.
The bloc’s total solar fleet now stands at 406 GW, ahead of the 400 GW target set for the end of this year by the 2022 EU Solar Strategy.
However, SolarPower Europe is warning that the EU is falling off the pace of achieving the strategy’s 750 GW target for 2030, with two further years of market decline expected.
Based on the association’s medium scenario, total solar installations are expected to drop beneath 62 GW in 2026 and to little under 60 GW in 2027. Year-on-year installations are then expected to begin climbing again, driven by storage, flexibility, electrification and improvement in framework conditions, but are only forecast to surpass this year’s result in 2030, when the medium scenario expects almost 68 GW to be added.
The medium scenario projection would see the EU's solar fleet hit 718 GW by 2030, falling more in line with the aggregate solar target from EU Member States’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), which currently stands at 701 GW by 2030.
SolarPower Europe attributes the faltering market to an ailing residential solar segment. Home rooftop solar accounted for 14% of solar additions in the EU this year, compared to 19% last year and 28% in 2023. The association explains that the market segment has been impacted by an uncertain post-energy crisis environment that has seen rooftop support schemes cut and the perceived softening of energy price pressure on households.
Utility-scale solar accounted for more than half of total deployment this year for the first time, but the segment is still facing challenges associated with profitability due to increasing numbers of negative energy prices, as well as curtailments, grid congestion and unresolved flexibility and storage needs.
In the report’s forward, SolarPower Europe’s Walburga Hemetsberger, Dries Acke and Michael Schmela write that this year’s outlook delivers a clear wake-up call to policymakers, before adding that with decisive and coordinated action, Europe can still reverse the current negative trend.
“The EU urgently needs a decisive push on flexibility with a dedicated EU Flexibility Strategy that unlocks the enormous potential of battery storage and demand-side flexibility,” the trio wrote. “Without this, Europe will not only miss its 2030 solar targets. If solar – the EU’s largest and fastest-growing clean technology – fails to pick up in the next years, the EU will certainly miss its 2030 renewables target of 42.5%.”
Elsewhere in the report, SolarPower Europe notes the number of GW-scale solar markets in the EU decreased for the first time in a decade this year, with 14 Member States adding over 1 GW of solar in 2025, two less than last year.
Germany and Spain continued to lead the EU’s solar market in 2025, while France replaced Italy in the top three. Romania and Bulgaria entered the top ten solar markets for the first time, with Romania experiencing the fastest growth rate.
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PV Magazine
powerplant
12 December 20253 min readEu Installs 65.1 Gw Of Solar In 2025
PV Magazine
12 December 2025
powerplant
Gascade Puts 400 Kilometers Of Hydrogen Core Network Into OperationGASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE) has reached a decisive milestone in building the German hydrogen network: about 400 kilometers of existing natural gas pipelines have been successfully converted to transport hydrogen. The initial filling of the first pipeline sections as part of the program Flow – making hydrogen happen establishes a North-South axis from the Baltic Sea region to Saxony-Anhalt, forming a central part of the German hydrogen core network. The hydrogen infrastructure is now available to the market and thus provides the basis for a successful hydrogen ramp-up.
This internationally unique project demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be quickly and cost-effectively transformed for hydrogen transport. GASCADE thereby creates planning security for the hydrogen ramp-up and makes a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions in German industry. Managing Director Ulrich Benterbusch emphasizes the technical dimension and resulting opportunities: “With the successful conversion of 400 kilometers of pipeline, we reliably provide large-scale and central hydrogen infrastructure. Converting existing natural gas pipelines with a diameter of 1.4 meters to hydrogen is a technical pioneering achievement. This project is a strong signal for the German hydrogen economy and the industrial location of Eastern Germany.”
Managing Director Christoph von dem Bussche highlights the potential and the European perspective: Flow – making hydrogen happen is more than a technical project. It is a promise for the future. In 2025 we are creating the conditions to receive hydrogen from the European Baltic Sea region, international hydrogen imports via the port of Rostock, as well as green hydrogen produced on the Baltic coast – especially at the Lubmin site. From the get-go, we are considering the connection to our European neighbors. Because only together can we succeed in building a strong cross-border hydrogen economy.”
The now operational part of Flow – making hydrogen happen is the first step toward further core network connections to industrial hubs in southern Germany by 2029. As part of the program, additional pipelines to Poland, the Czech Republic, and also toward Bavaria and Austria will be converted or newly built. Additional information can be found at www.flow-hydrogen.com.
Pipeline Technology Journal
oil & gas
12 December 20252 min readGascade Puts 400 Kilometers Of Hydrogen Core Network Into Operation
Pipeline Technology Journal
12 December 2025
oil-gas
Melbourne Businesses Save Seventy Million Litres Through Smart Water MonitoringYarra Valley Water is working with businesses to reduce operating costs and improve water efficiency through the Victorian Government’s WaterSmart programme, which saved seventy million litres of water and $366,000 in bills in the last financial year.
The WaterSmart programme is funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by Victoria’s water corporations. It provides businesses with digital water monitoring, audits and practical insights to improve water use and identify leaks.
Natalie Foeng, managing director at Yarra Valley Water, said the programme played an important role in saving water.
“Melbourne’s storages have dropped by more than thirteen per cent in the past twelve months due to drier conditions, so every litre we save matters,” she said.
“WaterSmart gives businesses the tools and visibility to make practical changes that will have a lasting impact. Small adjustments can deliver big results, and it is encouraging to see so many organisations taking action.”
Ford is among one hundred and seventy businesses Yarra Valley Water has supported through the initiative.
Steve Verescuk, environmental facility compliance supervisor at Ford Australia, said WaterSmart helped the company identify water saving opportunities.
“As a business, reducing our environmental impact is important, and this programme has greatly supported that effort,” he said.
“The data loggers installed through the programme allow us to monitor our water use in real time. They have already enabled us to detect and repair a couple of leaks, saving a substantial amount of water.”
Jim Child, mayor of Yarra Ranges Council, said the council has also saved water through the programme.
“Our staff have had great success with the WaterSmart programme. It allows us to remotely monitor water use at key sites, which helps us identify leaks and issues,” he said.
“Given the increasingly hot and dry conditions associated with climate change, conserving water is more critical than ever, particularly in high-use community spaces.”
“We have had several examples where data and leak alerts from digital monitoring have helped us address leaks, saving significant amounts of water and money.”
Water waste water asia
water
12 December 20252 min readMelbourne Businesses Save Seventy Million Litres Through Smart Water Monitoring
Water waste water asia
12 December 2025
water
Groupe Adp To Invest €8.4 Billion In Transformation Of Paris AirportsGroupe ADP has presented a draft Economic Regulation Contract (CRE) covering 2027 to 2034, aimed at supporting the transformation of Paris’ airports and enhancing the competitiveness of France’s air transport hubs.
The proposal comes as the French air transport sector faces multiple pressures, including the need to reduce carbon emissions, respond to regulatory and fiscal constraints, and maintain growth in passenger traffic. In response, Groupe ADP is planning a long-term investment programme totalling 8.4 billion EUR.
The investment is intended to expand capacity, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the appeal of Paris as a hub in the European and global airport network.
The CRE emphasises a phased and modular approach to development, with gradual expansions designed to limit disruption and ensure economic sustainability. Over the eight-year period, the programme is expected to create capacity for an additional 18 million passengers, while focusing on cost management within the regulated scope.
Groupe ADP has targeted cost savings of approximately 130 million EUR by 2034, aiming to limit regulated cost growth to the harmonised consumer price index (CPI) plus 1.2 points annually, compared with a projected trajectory of CPI plus 2.4 points.
The draft CRE proposes a regulated return on capital invested aligned with the weighted average cost of capital, at an average of 5.9% over the contract period. Tariffs for airlines are expected to rise by CPI plus 2.6 points on average, reflecting the scale of planned investments while remaining competitive relative to other European hubs. Complementary mechanisms are also included to distribute risks fairly across the multi-year programme.
The industrial project we are undertaking today is essential to guaranteeing the sustainable and long-term development of Parisian airports: to successfully transform Parisian airports, decarbonise the sector, and increase competitiveness in Paris for the entire airport ecosystem. This is our responsibility and our core business.
To achieve this transformation, the planned historic investments—more than €1 billion per year on average for eight years—would be financed by a new economic regulation contract. The draft contract presented seeks to strike the right balance between an unprecedented level of investment, the profitability of which is both guaranteed and capped by law, and tariffs applicable to airlines that, after the proposed increase, will remain at the lower end of the range compared to our competitors.
The proposal forms part of Groupe ADP’s broader strategic approach, with a future plan in 2027 expected to outline long-term value creation and the group’s role as a contributor to France’s economic, social, and territorial objectives.
Airport Industry News
airport
12 December 20253 min readGroupe Adp To Invest €8.4 Billion In Transformation Of Paris Airports
Airport Industry News
12 December 2025
airport
Brazil To Add 11.4 Gw Of Solar In 2025 Despite Regulatory HurdlesFrom pv magazine Brazil
The Brazilian PV market could see its second consecutive year of contraction, with 2026 additions expected to reach 10.6 GW, a 24% decline from the 15 GW added in 2024. Brazilian photovoltaic association ABSolar warned that regulatory barriers related to curtailment, high capital costs, and restricted access for self-generation systems may discourage new investments and reduce employment in the sector.
Large-scale solar projects face financial losses from curtailment without compensation. Small- and medium-sized PV systems encounter grid-connection barriers, often justified by perceived constraints or concerns over power flow reversal, discouraging consumers from self-generating clean electricity.
ABSolar said Brazil’s high cost of capital, with interest rates near 15% per year, volatile US dollar exchange rates, and elevated import duties on photovoltaic equipment as constraints on new investment.
The association projects BRL 31.8 billion ($5.8 billion) in new solar investments in 2026, down from roughly BRL 40 billion in 2025. Job creation is expected to fall from 396,500 in 2025 to 319,900 next year. Sector revenue is projected to decline from more than BRL 13 billion in 2025 to around BRL 10.5 billion in 2026.
By the end of 2026, Brazil’s cumulative installed PV capacity is expected to exceed 75.9 GW, including 51.8 GW from residential and commercial systems and 24.1 GW from large-scale plants connected to the National Interconnected System (SIN).
ABSolar plans to present proposals to presidential candidates in 2026 calling for compensation for curtailment losses, easier connections for small and medium self-generation systems, and clearer regulations for electricity storage to alleviate market bottlenecks.
The association will also continue working with Brazilian authorities and the electricity sector on expanding transmission and distribution infrastructure, improving system operations, regulating Storage Capacity Reserve Auctions (LRCAP), valuing distributed generation, modernizing tariffs, and implementing electricity-sector reforms under Law No. 15,269/2025.
Despite the market slowdown, solar remains Brazil’s leading source of new generating capacity, accounting for 68% of additions through November 2025, including both distributed and centralized generation.
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PV Magazine
powerplant
12 December 20252 min readBrazil To Add 11.4 Gw Of Solar In 2025 Despite Regulatory Hurdles
PV Magazine
12 December 2025
powerplant
Pipeline Leak Spills 200,000 Litres Of Oil In German FarmlandEmergency crews have completed the cleanup of a pipeline leak that spilt at least 200,000 litres (about 53,000 gallons) of crude oil onto farmland in the state of Brandenburg, north of Berlin.
The leak in the pipeline, which transports oil from the Baltic Sea port of Rostock to the Schwedt refinery, occurred on Wednesday evening near the village of Gramzow during what officials described as a workplace accident.
A spokesman for regional emergency coordination confirmed that firefighters concluded their operation between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. local time.
The Schwedt fire brigade reported that the oil initially shot several meters into the air from a small leak at a pumping station before settling on the adjacent agricultural land.
Refinery operator PCK said preliminary findings indicate the incident was caused by preparatory work for a scheduled safety test on the pipeline, ruling out any deliberate interference.
Alexander Trenn, head of the Schwedt fire brigade, told German news agency dpa that crews successfully removed all visible spillage. He noted that special suction vehicles and heavy machinery were used to collect the significant quantity of oil and contain its spread.
Roughly 100 firefighters and 25 PCK employees were involved in the overnight response, with PCK now responsible for handling the subsequent environmental remediation efforts.
Brandenburg’s environment minister, Hanka Mittelstädt, was expected to visit the site on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage to the affected countryside.
Pipeline Technology Journal
oil & gas
12 December 20252 min readPipeline Leak Spills 200,000 Litres Of Oil In German Farmland
Pipeline Technology Journal
12 December 2025
oil-gas
Asso.Subsea Wins Multi-Project Deal For Tennet’S 2Gw Grid Build-OutGreek offshore contractor Asso.subsea has secured a major spread of cable installation and protection work from France’s Nexans across three of TenneT’s flagship 2GW offshore transmission projects in the German North Sea. The awards cover the BalWin3, LanWin2 and LanWin4 developments, with offshore campaigns slated to run from 2027 through 2031.
The multi-year scope, with an undisclosed value, includes more than 650 km of offshore cable burial and over 60 km of nearshore laying and burial. Operations will be centred around the cable-laying vessel Atalanti, which is being outfitted with a modified turntable to handle Nexans’ four-cable bundle configuration — two 525 kV HVDC export cables, one metallic return line and a fibre-optic cable.
Asso.subsea will also deploy its trenching support fleet, including the newbuild Avra, due to join the company in early 2028. Burial work will combine jetting and mechanical trenching using the company’s AssoTrencher IV and AssoJet III systems, backed by full as-laid and as-buried survey coverage. The nearshore element of the projects will involve cable loading and transport from Nexans’ Norwegian facility, as well as beach pulls and simultaneous lay-and-bury operations — areas where Asso.subsea has built a strong track record.
Earlier this year, the company also secured nearshore cable installation scope for TenneT’s BalWin4, LanWin1, and LanWin5, located off the northwestern coast of Baltrum Island.
“These awards are a strong recognition of our ability to execute highly demanding scopes, from precision nearshore operations to deep-water burial campaigns,” said Alessandro Panico, director of business development at Asso.subsea. He added that the latest wins underscore the contractor’s long-running partnership with Nexans and its role in delivering Europe’s expanding offshore grid.
In related news, Enshore Subsea has been awarded a contract for the shallow water cable installation work on the three offshore grid connection systems. The UK-based subsea specialist will be responsible for installing the Wadden Sea sections, with work scheduled for 2027, 2029, and 2030.
Splash247
port & ship
11 December 20252 min readAsso.Subsea Wins Multi-Project Deal For Tennet’S 2Gw Grid Build-Out
Splash247
11 December 2025
port-and-ship
Faa Commits $108 Million In Funding For Aus To Meet Texas Travel DemandsAustin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has announced a major funding injection from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that aims to help meet Central Texas’ growing travel demands.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) has been received by AUS from the FAA which commits 108 million USD in long-term federal reimbursements to support the airport’s Airfield Capacity Improvements project, which will include the construction of new taxiways and upgrades to existing airfield infrastructure.
The investment will also fund a portion of the airport’s Journey With AUS expansion project, which will deliver Concourse B and enable the building of new taxiways.
Once built; Concourse B will add over 20 new gates to support future airline growth, as well as bring additional concession opportunities for restaurants, shops, lounges, live music venues, and passenger amenities.
The LOI comes in the wake of a bipartisan letter of support signed by Congressman Lloyd Doggett and signed by Representatives Greg Casar, Michael McCaul, Chip Roy, and John Carter in June 2024, which led to the securing of FAA approval and an emphasis on the importance of investing in AUS’s infrastructure.
Thus far, AUS has secured a total of 96.34 million USD from the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program for the Concourse B and Tunnel project, and will continue applying for competitive federal funding whilst also utilising traditional financing methods including airport revenue bonds, cash-on-hand and future revenues to deliver both this and other potential expansion projects.
Safe, modern infrastructure is essential to keeping our aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world. This investment at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will reduce delays and increase capacity as the airport continues to grow.
Airport Industry News
airport
11 December 20252 min readFaa Commits $108 Million In Funding For Aus To Meet Texas Travel Demands
Airport Industry News
11 December 2025
airport
Bhp Agrees Us$2 Billion Infrastructure Deal With Global…BHP Group Ltd. has agreed a US$2 billion infrastructure deal with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock, to help fund the inland power network that supports its vast Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) operations.
WAIO, in which BHP owns 85%, is made up of four joint ventures across the Pilbara. Under the agreement, a new trust will be created with BHP holding a 51% controlling stake.
GIP will contribute US$2 billion for the remaining 49%. In return, BHP will pay a tariff over 25 years linked to its share of power use across WAIO.
Crucially, the miner retains full operational control of both WAIO and the power infrastructure.
The arrangement does not alter existing joint venture terms, state agreements or asset ownership. BHP said WAIO will continue to focus on lifting production to 305 million tonnes a year through targeted investment while keeping options open for further growth.
The company said proceeds from the deal will be assessed under its capital allocation framework, which prioritises balance sheet strength and disciplined investment.
Completion is expected by the end of financial year 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, including sign-off from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.
Mike Henry, BHP’s chief executive, said the partnership gives the business access to capital “while maintaining operational and strategic control of a critical part of WAIO’s infrastructure”.
Chief financial officer Vandita Pant said the structure enhances financial flexibility and supports long-term value creation.
GIP, an infrastructure specialist, manages around US$189 billion across energy, transport, digital and utilities assets.
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Africa Mining Market
mining
10 December 20252 min readBhp Agrees Us$2 Billion Infrastructure Deal With Global…
Africa Mining Market
10 December 2025
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Battery Park City Inks Pla For $1.7B Nyc Resiliency ProjectThe move underscores how New York City is increasingly tying major construction projects to PLAs.
More than $7 billion in upcoming construction in New York City will fall under new PLAs, according to a Nov. 24 news release from the office of Mayor Eric Adams, including the Battery Park City project. The endeavor is the third large-scale resiliency infrastructure project undertaken by BPCA since Superstorm Sandy, according to a Turner news release.
“More than $7 billion in Project Labor Agreements is the kind of big, bold commitment New York needs right now,” said Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, in the release. “This deal means faster projects, safer jobs and fairer wages for the union trades who build our city every day.”
The PLA is structured to support thousands of union jobs and promotes initiatives such as Helmets to Hardhats and Construction Skills, according to the release.
“This is why PLAs, like the one signed today, are crucial,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, in the release. “They guarantee fair and livable wages, safe work environments and more accessible pathways to the middle class for tradesmen and tradeswomen.”
Turner and SPC, along with Amsterdam-based engineering firm Arcadis, Copenhagen-based design firm Bjarke Ingels Group and New York’s Scape Landscape Architecture have been planning the project for four years.
The coastal protection system includes integrated flood risk management features, reconstructed bulkheads, improved stormwater management and upgraded public spaces along the Battery Park city waterfront, according to the Turner release. New infrastructure will protect the area from 2.5 feet of projected sea level rise, help cool during heat events and prevent ponding more than 1-foot deep during heavy rains.
Once complete, officials say the project will ultimately remove Battery Park City from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood zone, which means homeowners will no longer be required to purchase flood insurance in the area.
“The Battery Park City Project is a massive undertaking, and this agreement, coupled with our progressive-design build model, codifies that the work will be completed efficiently and to the highest standards,” said Raju Mann, president and CEO of the Battery Park City Authority, in the release.
Construction Dive
mixed-use
10 December 20252 min readBattery Park City Inks Pla For $1.7B Nyc Resiliency Project
Construction Dive
10 December 2025
mixed-use
Hd Hyundai Advances $2-Billion Shipyard Proposal In Tamil NaduSouth Korea’s HD Hyundai is moving ahead with plans to set up a major shipbuilding facility in India, following the signing of an exclusive agreement with the Tamil Nadu government. The pact was formalised on Sunday in Madurai, according to a report by Pulse, the English platform of Maeil Business News Korea.
The proposed shipyard is estimated to involve an investment of around USD 2 billion, as cited by Indian media reports referenced by Pulse. HD Hyundai, however, clarified that the size and structure of the investment are still under evaluation.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader push to elevate its shipbuilding ecosystem and emerge as the world’s fifth-largest maritime manufacturing hub. Tamil Nadu is one of the four shortlisted states for new shipyard development, alongside Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Should the state be formally chosen, HD Hyundai is expected to emerge as a leading partner in India’s flagship shipyard expansion program.
The Thoothukudi region has been highlighted by the company as a strong contender for the project, owing to its climatic similarity to Ulsan—the base of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries—and ongoing investments in adjacent port infrastructure.
HD Hyundai has been steadily deepening its engagements in India. Earlier this month, it signed a cooperation agreement with BEML, a public-sector company under the Ministry of Defence, to strengthen collaboration in crane manufacturing. The partnership will span design, production, and quality assurance, with plans to supply Goliath and jib cranes to Indian shipyards.
In July, the South Korean major entered into a long-term memorandum of understanding with Cochin Shipyard Limited, India’s largest state-owned shipbuilder. That partnership has recently broadened to include naval shipbuilding projects, reflecting HD Hyundai’s strategy to expand its presence in India’s fast-growing maritime sector.
Maritime Gateway
port & ship
10 December 20252 min readHd Hyundai Advances $2-Billion Shipyard Proposal In Tamil Nadu
Maritime Gateway
10 December 2025
port-and-ship
Hungary Prepares To Upgrade 1,000 Km Of RailwayHungary has announced a comprehensive plan to modernize its railway infrastructure, which includes the rehabilitation of 1,000 km of railway over the next few years.
Funding has already been secured in full, confirmed Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár before the Parliament’s Economic Committee. The plan marks one of the largest coordinated investments in railway infrastructure in Central Europe and reflects a long-term strategic vision with clear objectives for economic growth and regional competitiveness.
The Hungarian railway network totals 8,000 km, of which 6,000 km are operational. Since 2010, Hungary has completed 103 railway projects worth HUF 2.091 billion (approximately EUR 5.4 billion), which has enabled the upgrade of 1,800 km of railway.
New works — another 1,000 km — are to be carried out, and Lázár said that all the funding is already available, including through European Investment Bank credit instruments, designed to compensate for European funds that are still blocked.
Lázár emphasized that large railway investments involve a development cycle of about eight years — a period that Budapest explicitly integrates into public planning.
In addition, the minister warned that in the next EU financial year, funding for rail and road projects may no longer be available if they are not partially classified as investments with military relevance. Such a reclassification, permitted by European regulations, would allow access to additional funds from extra-budgetary sources.
This approach shows not only financial pragmatism, but also that Hungary treats its rail infrastructure as a strategic asset essential to its regional positioning.
The minister also reported significant operational results:
Hungary also offers one of the cheapest public transport systems in the EU.
At the same time, Budapest is rolling out a major investment package around Liszt Ferenc Airport, worth €2.5 billion, by 2035. This includes:
This type of integrated investment — rail + airport + road — is rare in Central Europe and illustrates Hungary’s strategic focus on increasing its economic and logistical attractiveness.
Lázár stated that the Hungarian state is seeking to gain a strategic advantage by strengthening corridors to the West:
“If the western routes pass through here, Hungary gains a position of influence, and the GDP-generating capacity of the inland regions can increase significantly.”
This positioning clearly shows how Budapest views rail infrastructure: not just as a technical project, but as an element of economic and geopolitical policy.
Railway Pro
railway
07 December 20252 min readHungary Prepares To Upgrade 1,000 Km Of Railway
Railway Pro
07 December 2025
railway
Waterline Breaks Force Overnight Closure At Grand Canyon; $208 Million Replacement Project UnderwayGRAND CANYON, Ariz. (UI) — Grand Canyon National Park will temporarily suspend overnight lodging on the South Rim beginning Dec. 6 due to major breaks in the park’s aging 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline — a critical underground system that delivers water from the inner canyon to the South Rim.
The National Park Service (NPS) said water is currently not being pumped to the South Rim, prompting new restrictions on lodging and camping until repairs are made. While the park remains open for day use, all overnight accommodations inside the park — including Xanterra-operated hotels such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge and Maswik Lodge, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village — will close temporarily. Hotels in nearby Tusayan will not be affected.
Dry camping will be permitted at Mather Campground, though spigot access will be turned off. Faucets in bathrooms and at the check-in kiosk will remain available. The park has also prohibited all wood and charcoal fires, including campfires and barbeques.
The waterline failure underscores ongoing infrastructure challenges in one of the nation’s most visited parks. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline has far exceeded its intended lifespan, requiring frequent and costly repairs.
In 2023, NPS launched a $208 million rehabilitation project to replace the failing system and upgrade the park’s broader water delivery network — an effort aimed at securing reliable water service for 5 million annual visitors and 2,500 year-round residents. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
“These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources,” NPS said in a statement. “The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible.”
South Rim residents are being urged to conserve water by limiting showers, minimizing laundry loads, and reporting any leaks. Hikers are also advised to carry sufficient water or treatment methods when venturing into the backcountry.
Underground Infrasturcture
water
05 December 20252 min readWaterline Breaks Force Overnight Closure At Grand Canyon; $208 Million Replacement Project Underway
Underground Infrasturcture
05 December 2025
water
Afdb Commits Us$1.78 Billion To Support Namibia’S Economic…The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Namibia committing US$1.78 billion to support economic transformation and inclusive growth in the 2025-2030 period.
The financing is expected to pave the way job for creation and economic diversification while also addressing key challenges facing of the world’s most unequal countries: youth unemployment exceeds 40%, and per capita income has fallen from US$5,942 in 2012 to US$4,240 in 2024.
“This strategy marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s development,” said Moono Mupotola, the Bank Group’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Namibia. “By focusing on strategic infrastructure and human capital development, we are laying the foundation for inclusive growth that will benefit all Namibians, particularly the young.”
The strategy focuses on two priorities. The first is investment in transport, energy, and water infrastructure to reduce business costs, enhance productivity, and establish Namibia as a regional logistics hub. These investments will strengthen trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area, enhance energy security through renewables, and expand rural access to clean water and sanitation.
The second priority aims to boost human capital through market-relevant technical and vocational training that creates pathways from education to employment, providing support for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Implementation is expected to diversify the economy beyond mining and agriculture, integrate MSMEs into regional value chains, and enhance manufacturing capabilities while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Infrastructure improvements will increase electricity access from 59.5% towards universal coverage, enhance trade connectivity with Angola and Zambia, and reduce logistics costs. The strategy also supports Namibia’s climate commitments and positions the country as a leader in green hydrogen.
“Recent U.S. tariff impositions and official development assistance cuts have created additional pressures on Namibia’s economy,” said Mupotola. “Our strategy strengthens resilience by diversifying export markets, enhancing regional integration, and building domestic productive capacities.”
The strategy builds on the Bank’s decade-long track record in Namibia, where it has invested US$658.1 million in projects including the expansion of Walvis Bay Port, railway upgrades, and 27 educational institutions across all 14 regions.
The Namibia CSP aligns with the Bank Group’s Four Cardinal Points, Namibia’s Vision 2030, and Africa’s Agenda 2063. Implementation begins immediately, with the first operations expected in early 2026.
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Africa Mining Market
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05 December 20253 min readAfdb Commits Us$1.78 Billion To Support Namibia’S Economic…
Africa Mining Market
05 December 2025
mining
Cardiff Central Railway Station To Receive £140 Million RevampCardiff Central railway station is set to undergo renovation as the Government has given the green light on a 140 million GBP revamp project.
Improvements to the station will include the modernisation of the station as a whole, whilst aiming to preserve both the history and heritage of the building itself.
Works will be carried out to expand the station’s concourse in order to increase capacity and improve passenger flow, with improved waiting areas, enhanced retail offerings and cycle storage facilities also set to be installed.
The station is set to remain open whilst construction is carried out, and the scheme will be led by Transport for Wales, with the investment of up to 140 million GBP being provided by the Department for Transport, Cardiff Capital Region and the Welsh Government following the recent approval of associated business cases.
This week will also see the first meeting of the newly reorganised Wales Rail Board in Cardiff, in which the Board will oversee the prioritisation of the rail spending review settlement, assess progress on current rail projects and identify projects for future delivery.
Following the meeting; Transport for Wales will publish ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’, – a vision document for the future of rail in Wales, later this month.
This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station, a key hub on our South Wales Metro and gateway to Wales’ capital city.
The joint £140m investment between Welsh Government, UK Government and Cardiff Capital Region will modernise and enhance the station, benefitting passengers and accommodating our ambitions for long term growth.
The newly revamped Wales Rail Board will also meet for the first time today to discuss future projects such as this and relevant funding.
I’m extremely pleased that Vernon Everitt will Chair the board as he brings a wealth of experience and expertise, that will help lead us into the future.
Railway News
railway
05 December 20252 min readCardiff Central Railway Station To Receive £140 Million Revamp
Railway News
05 December 2025
railway
Browns Clear Final Major Hurdle For New $2.4B Domed StadiumThe Browns have cleared the last major obstacle in front of their $2.4 billion plan to build a domed stadium and mixed-use development in Brook Park, Ohio, as the Cleveland City Council approved a $100 million settlement deal enabling the move.
By a 13–2 vote, the city council passed the agreement first struck in October between the NFL team and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb—but not without some notable changes.
The original pact called for $70 million in cash payments from Browns owner Haslam Sports Group to the city, in multiple tranches, along with covering the estimated $30 million cost of razing the city-owned Huntington Bank Field. The city council’s assent retains that core of the agreement, which is focused in part on the redevelopment of the lakefront area where the current stadium is located. It adds, however, clarifying good-faith language, as well as up to $3 million in additional payments from HSG if the Browns stay at the current stadium beyond a planned exit in early 2029.
Perhaps most important to the Browns, though, the legislative approval also includes the release of legal claims that had threatened to scuttle the entire Brook Park project. City officials had attempted a variety of maneuvers to block the deal, and prior doubt around the council approval had represented another potential roadblock to the plan. Before these final modifications, Bibb had signaled there wasn’t wiggle room in the HSG deal.
“From Day One, I made it clear that any deal involving our city’s assets must protect the city’s general revenue fund and deliver real value for Cleveland. This agreement does exactly that,” Bibb said. “It resolves longstanding issues, safeguards the city’s financial interests, and positions us to move ahead with clarity and purpose.”
The new venue is slated to open for the 2029 NFL season. Following the council vote, the Browns touted not only the forthcoming arrival of that project, but the remade lakefront and a forthcoming modernization of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, adjacent to the planned stadium.
“These projects all reinforce our belief that Northeast Ohioans should have it all,” said HSG president Dave Jenkins. “We are confident that with continued collaboration, our region is set up for incredible growth and prosperity.”
There are still two outstanding legal cases relating to the Browns’ planned move, one relating to Ohio’s former Modell Law, and another regarding the state’s use of unclaimed funds to help fund the stadium. Both are still pending, and outside of the city’s purview. Neither, however, is expected to derail the project, even if they survive, and construction is expected to begin in earnest next year.
The Browns are part of a fast-growing stadium boom around the league, one that includes venues under construction in Buffalo and Tennessee, a recently approved deal in Washington, D.C., a newly announced plan in Denver, and ongoing deliberations in Kansas City and Chicago.
Front Office Sports
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04 December 20253 min readBrowns Clear Final Major Hurdle For New $2.4B Domed Stadium
Front Office Sports
04 December 2025
stadium
