Shell sees AI revolutionising energy system in new outlook

AI could lead to significant energy demand growth as the technology is implemented across industries, an acceleration that could also help to halve the system’s carbon intensity by 2050, according to a new report from Shell. As productivity improvements resulting from AI – including automation, especially in manufacturing – enable major economic growth, consumption of oil will continue to expand by three to five million barrels a day into the 2030s, before peaking and then declining slowly over a long period, Shell said. Natural gas demand could increase into the 2040s while the use of petrochemicals is likely to continue into the 22nd century.
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Sappi Southern Africa , Enpower reach financial close on 175 GWh/y renwables PPA

Sustainable woodfibre products and solutions company Sappi’s Southern Africa business and energy trader Enpower Trading have reached financial close on a five-year 175 GWh/y renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA). Under the terms of the PPA, which was first announced in May last year, Enpower will source power from green energy solutions provider SolarAfrica Energy’s 1 GW Sun Central 1 solar PV project, which is being built near De Aar, in the Northern Cape, and supply electricity to Sappi’s South African operations.
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