During the period from September 5th to 11th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Air Liquide’s Russian assets placed under state control
The Russian government has placed the assets of French industrial gas giant Air Liquide under state management. Since 2022, Air Liquide has been preparing for potential Russian intervention, having separated its operations and set aside €586 million in provisions. The group stated it is aware of the decision and will study countermeasures. Its Russian operations account for less than 1% of its total revenue, and it had planned to exit the Russian market via a management buyout in 2022.
2. Furetank hits target of running EU fleet on biogas
Swedish shipping company Furetank has achieved its goal of operating its entire EU fleet on biogas. Through partnerships with agricultural group Cargill and fuel supplier Titan, the company secured sufficient certified liquefied biomethane, supplied via the EU gas grid under a mass balance system. This move reduces ship greenhouse gas emissions by 150%–200%, marking the fulfillment of its transition to gas propulsion since 2015.
3. Taiwan firm to build $1bn LNG regasification facility
Taiwanese engineering company CTCI has won a NT$29.6 billion (approximately $926 million) contract from CPC Corporation, Taiwan, to build a new regasification facility at the Kaohsiung Intercontinental LNG Terminal. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the facility will handle LNG from four 180,000-cubic-meter cryogenic storage tanks with a processing capacity of 1,600 tons per hour. It will employ green and smart technologies to improve energy efficiency and recover cold energy for power generation, supporting Taiwan’s energy security and coal phase-out transition.
4. NADBank launches US$400M Water Resiliency Fund for conservation in U.S.-Mexico border region
The North American Development Bank (NADBank) has established a $400 million Water Resiliency Fund to support water conservation and supply diversification projects in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The fund will provide concessional financing and low-interest loans, focusing on improving agricultural irrigation and municipal water infrastructure to enhance regional drought resilience and extreme weather response. It has received support from both U.S. and Mexican governments and stakeholders.
5. Kuwait seeks bids for 1.8 GW Al Khairan Power and Water Project
Kuwait has launched a tender for the first phase of the 1.8 GW Al Khairan Power and Water Project. The country faces severe electricity shortages due to population growth and urban expansion, leading to planned power outages since last year. Kuwait’s Partnership Projects Authority has invited three international consortia to bid for the project, which will be developed under a public-private partnership model and produce 125 million imperial gallons of water per day upon completion.
6. Seqwater shortlists contractors for major Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant
Seqwater has shortlisted a consortium of Acciona Wyaralong and Sacyr John Holland to advance the Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant project in Southeast Queensland, Australia. The plant will have a daily treatment capacity of 120 million liters, supplying water to approximately 800,000 people and enhancing regional drought resilience and water security. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2027, with operations starting in 2031.
7. $125 million ADB support to advance urban water infrastructure in Assam, India
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $125 million loan to improve water supply and flood management infrastructure in six districts of Assam, India, and Guwahati City. The project will construct six water treatment plants (720,000 cubic meters/day), lay 800 km of pipelines, and strengthen urban governance and climate resilience. It is expected to benefit 360,000 residents, with a focus on enhancing the participation of women and vulnerable groups, supporting local sustainable development.
8. Thames Water to launch £1 billion major projects framework tender
Thames Water has announced a £1.008 billion major projects framework tender to support asset upgrades and capital investments during the AMP8 period. The tender will be officially released on September 19, 2025, aiming to streamline procurement through long-term partnerships. The contract period is expected to last until 2033, extendable to 2035, with results to be announced in March 2026.
9. IDB approves $250 million Loan to improve Guatemala's Motagua River Basin
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $250 million loan to Guatemala to improve environmental conditions and quality of life in the Motagua River Basin. The project will expand solid waste collection and treatment, enhance water quality monitoring, and upgrade wastewater treatment capacity, benefiting approximately 391,000 households. It will also promote circular economy practices in waste management and create employment opportunities, supporting comprehensive cross-border basin management.
10. Severn Trent selects Netmore to deploy AMI network for one million smart water meters
UK water utility Severn Trent has selected Netmore Group to deploy and manage an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network for one million smart water meters across over 20 counties. The AMP8 contract, valued at approximately £200 million, will utilize a dual-mode LoRaWAN and NB-IoT network to improve water efficiency, enhance leak detection, and support long-term water resource planning. Deployment is scheduled for completion by 2030.