Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations will continue generating until March 2028, an extension of 12 months
London, September 02, 2025, (Oilandgaspress) ––EDF confirmed further life extensions for two of its UK nuclear power stations. Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside will continue generating until March 2028, an extension of 12 months.
The decision was taken following a series of positive graphite inspections at both stations over the past nine months. Heysham 2 and Torness, which are both scheduled to generate until March 2030, were not in scope for this review after a two-year extension was granted last year.
EDF’s ambition is to continue making zero-carbon electricity at its four generating Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review. Read More
Leapmotor delivered 57,066 vehicles in August, up 88 percent from a year earlier and the highest monthly total in its history, the Chinese carmaker said on Monday. The company crossed 900,000 cumulative deliveries in August and reported its first half-year net profit, becoming only the second Chinese NEV startup to achieve profitability on that basis, after Li Auto. Leapmotor has also gained recognition beyond sales. In August, it joined the China Top 500 Private Enterprises ranking for the first time and was again listed among the Top 500 Private Manufacturing Enterprises. It had earlier entered the Fortune China 500. Read More
On August 15th, Xpeng Motors and Volkswagen Group signed an agreement to expand their strategic cooperation on electronic and electrical architecture technology. The industry-leading electronic and electrical architecture jointly developed by the two parties will be integrated into Volkswagen’s pure electric vehicle platform in the Chinese market, as well as its gasoline and plug-in hybrid vehicle platforms in the Chinese market. This strategic technical cooperation between the two parties will be expanded to a broader market. This move not only confirms the deep mutual trust in their long-term strategic partnership, but also demonstrates their firm determination and forward-looking vision to continuously innovate and jointly create value in the core technologies of intelligent electric vehicles.
On August 19, Xpeng Motors released its second-quarter 2025 financial report, showing record-breaking deliveries, total revenue, gross profit margin, and cash reserves. Xpeng Motors’ total revenue for the second quarter was 18.27 billion yuan, a 125.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Deliveries reached 103,181 units, a record high for a single quarter and a 241.6% year-on-year increase. Gross profit margin reached 17.3%, a 3.3 percentage point increase year-on-year, also a record high for a single quarter. Automotive gross profit margin reached 14.3%, a 7.9 percentage point increase year-on-year, marking eight consecutive quarters of growth. As of June 30, 2025, Xpeng Motors had cash reserves of 47.57 billion yuan (US$6.64 billion), a net increase of 2.29 billion yuan compared to March 31, 2025.
On August 27th, the all-new Xpeng P7 officially launched. Positioned as a future AI luxury coupe, the new model features four models: the 702 Long-Range Ultra, the 820 Ultra-Long-Range Ultra, the 750 All-Wheel Drive High-Performance Ultra, and the 750 All-Wheel Drive Pengyi Ultra. Official suggested retail prices are 219,800 RMB, 239,800 RMB, 259,800 RMB, and 301,800 RMB, respectively. Developed over five years, the all-new Xpeng P7 not only offers a driving experience comparable to a million-yuan sedan and a leading 800V+5C electric system, but also reshapes the 300,000 RMB AI luxury coupe standard with its futuristic, original design and all-around AI technology. The 750 All-Wheel Drive Pengyi Ultra debuted as a premium model, further demonstrating its flagship style and breakthrough design. The all-new Xpeng P7 surpassed 10,000 pre-orders within seven minutes of its launch, setting a new record for the fastest 10,000-unit mark for a new Xpeng Motors model. The market popularity of the new Xiaopeng P7 continues to rise, with passenger traffic and test drive volume reaching record highs in the first weekend after its launch.
On August 29th, the 28th Chengdu International Auto Show opened with great fanfare. With the theme of “AI Changing the World,” Xpeng Motors showcased its cutting-edge achievements in AI technology with an all-star lineup including the all-new Xpeng P7, Xpeng G7, the 2025 Xpeng X9, the Xpeng MONA M03, and the next-generation humanoid robot IRON. Read More
The quality of new gasoline cars in China has dropped for a second straight year as intensifying price competition forces automakers to cut corners, according to a J.D. Power survey released on Thursday.
The 2025 China Initial Quality Study showed owner-reported problems rose to 229 per 100 vehicles, up 17 from 2024.
The decline was broad-based, with domestic and mass-market brands each reporting 18 more issues per 100 cars, while premium marques worsened by 13. The report highlighted that design flaws and manufacturing defects both rose sharply from 2024.
Complaints about infotainment systems, seats and driver-assistance functions were the most pronounced, underscoring risks created by the rush to add digital features.
Owners cited faulty voice recognition, unresponsive touch screens and weak Bluetooth connectivity as frequent problems.
The study also pointed to a widening gap between consumer demand for high-tech features and manufacturers’ ability to ensure reliability.
All categories tracked except for power train recorded higher complaint rates. Read More
Mercedes‑AMG and adidas announce a far-reaching collaboration focused on leveraging the brands’ shared obsession with pushing the limits of performance through sport. Two of the foremost names in elite sports got their partnership off to a flying start on the track in Nardò (Italy). They demonstrated the power of radical innovation with record-breaking achievements in automotive and human performance. Focusing on performance and endurance, the CONCEPT AMG GT XX stands out as another star athlete for Mercedes-AMG. The technology pioneer offers a preview of the upcoming high-performance architecture AMG.EA. In Nardò, it broke a total of 25 records for battery-electric vehicles, including a remarkable total distance of 40,075 kilometres – equivalent to the circumference of the Earth – completed in just 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 7 seconds. The collaboration between Mercedes‑AMG and adidas extends across multiple platforms and a variety of touchpoints in different sports – with motorsport and its athletes forming a central component. adidas comprehensively equips both the driver line-up and the Mercedes‑AMG Motorsport division. Read More
EDF, the UK’s largest optimiser of battery and flexible assets, has signed a long-term agreement with sustainable energy developer, owner and operator, Ampeak Energy, to optimise the AW1 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Uskmouth in South Wales.
The 120MW/240MWh battery facility will store electricity and release it to the grid during periods of high demand, helping balance supply and demand while helping the UK lower its carbon emissions. The agreement marks an important step in Ampeak Energy’s plan to turn Uskmouth into a major sustainable energy park.
EDF will use its Powershift platform and expert trading team to maximise the commercial performance of AW1, helping guarantee that electricity is delivered exactly when it’s needed most.
For over half a century, Uskmouth was a coal-fired power station supplying electricity to the national grid. Now under Ampeak Energy’s ownership, it is being transformed into one of the UK’s largest battery storage facilities – supporting the move to net zero while strengthening the nation’s energy security. Read More
EDF’s wholly owned subsidiaries – EDF Heat Pumps (formerly CB Heating), Contact Solar and Pod – have received Which? Trusted Traders endorsement across all three key zero carbon home installation services: heat pump, solar and electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
The endorsement reinforces EDF’s position as one of the UK’s most trusted installers of zero carbon home solutions, with each company rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot and recognised as leading installers of heat pumps, solar panels and EV charge points in homes across the UK.
The full accreditation comes when interest in low carbon home improvements is rising sharply. A recent study by Electrify Britain says that among Brits who feel jealous of others’ homes (58%), over half (55%) say it’s the tech upgrades – like solar panels, heat pumps and EV charging points – that spark envy[1].
The survey also found that more than a third (34%) of Brits say that these electric upgrades are now a ‘must have’ when buying a new home, with 43% believing that all new build homes should be electrified.
Reflecting this trend, EDF has seen a 90% increase in solar installation enquiries and 37% rise in heat pump enquiries compared to 2024. Installations have also surged by 88% for solar panels and 52% for heat pumps. Read More
EDF is helping customers stay ahead of predicted increases to energy costs with the launch its new Simply Fixed Aug26v11 tariff, which offers households the cheapest energy-only fixed price among major suppliers[1].
EDF’s Simply Fixed Aug26v11 12-month tariff, priced at £1,634 for an average dual fuel customer paying by direct debit, is £86 cheaper than the current price cap (£1,720), and £110 cheaper than EDF’s October price cap prediction (£1,744)[2]. Ofgem will announce the Q4 price cap level tomorrow (27 August).
As Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon energy, EDF has a deep understanding of the energy market and is able to predict future changes to the Ofgem energy price cap. EDF’s price cap prediction service forecasts a slight upward trend in the price cap for upcoming quarters, with further increases in April and July 2026. Based on the supplier’s current predictions, EDF’s new fixed tariff will remain at least £65 cheaper than Ofgem’s price cap over the next year. Read More
People living with a disability could be exempt from paying a standard driving fee. You could either receive a 100% or 50% reduction on your car tax.
Also known as vehicle excise duty, vehicle tax, or road tax, this payment is a tax for using a vehicle on public roads in the UK. The money is used by the Government for projects such as road work and maintenance. The amount you pay will depend on the type of vehicle you drive and the type of fuel it uses. Generally, the more emissions a vehicle produces, the more road tax you will pay. Read More
Baker Hughes Rig Count: : International +27 to 913, :U.S. -2 to 536 Canada -5 to 175
U.S. Rig Count is down 2 from last week to 536 with oil rigs down 1 to 412, gas rigs down 3 to 119 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 5.
Canada Rig Count is down 5 from last week to 175, with oil rigs down 3 to 120, gas rigs down 1 to 55 and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0.
International Rig Count is up 1 from last month to 914 with land rigs down 10 to 720, offshore rigs up 11 to 194.
The Worldwide Rig Count for July was 1,621, up 22 from the 1,600 counted in June 2025, and down 92, from the 1,713 counted in July 2024.
| Region | Period | Rig Count | Change |
| U.S.A | August 29, 2025 | 536 | – 2 |
| Canada | August 29, 2025 | 175 | -5 |
| International | July 2025 | 914 | +1 |
| Baker Hughes |
TotalEnergies (80%, operator), together with its partner South Atlantic Petroleum (20%), have signed the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for the PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 exploration licenses offshore Nigeria, which were awarded following the 2024 Exploration Round organized by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
PPL 2000 & 2001, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers, are located in the prolific West Delta basin. The work program includes drilling one firm exploration well. Read More
Meren Energy Inc. announced that Craig Knight, Chief Operating Officer , has stepped down from his role effective August 31, 2025, to return to Australia for personal reasons. Mr. Knight will remain with the Company until October 31, 2025, to support a smooth handover.
To streamline its organization, Meren has merged the Chief Commercial Officer (“CCO”) and COO roles into a new position: Chief Commercial & Operating Officer (“CCOO”), effective September 1, 2025. Oliver Quinn, currently CCO, has assumed this role.
In his expanded mandate, Dr. Quinn will oversee operations in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, as well as technical and HSE functions, in addition to his existing responsibilities for business development, commercial, and planning and economics. He will be supported by Meren’s senior management, including Country Managers and Functional Heads.
Dr. Quinn began his career in technical roles across production and development assets with Shell and has more than two decades of experience in the energy sector, spanning technical, commercial and executive leadership roles across the globe.
The Company also announced today that Mr. Tom Haffenden has been appointed an officer of the Company in his role of Meren’s Chief Human Resources Officer (“CHRO”), effective September 1, 2025. Read More
Subsea 7 S.A. announced the award to Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 Group, of a substantial1 contract by Synera Renewable Energy (SRE), for the transport and installation of inter-array cables for the Formosa 4 Wind Farm.
The 495 MW Formosa 4 offshore site is located approximately 20 kilometres off the coast of Miaoli County, Taiwan, and will comprise 35 wind turbine generators. Seaway7’s scope of work includes the transport and installation of 35 inter-array cables with offshore works expected to commence in 2028. Read More
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OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup | Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole , victor@oilandgaspress
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