Category: 3. Business

The South West Interconnected System Transmission Plan (SWIS plan) sets out the transmission infrastructure that needs to be built to facilitate the phase-out of coal generation, support the widespread electrification of existing industries and enable the new load connections needed to diversify and strengthen WA’s economy.

Amber-Jade Sanderson, WA’s energy and decarbonisation minister, said: “The SWIS Transmission Plan is our blueprint for infrastructure upgrades that will support our energy transition and ensure WA becomes a renewable energy powerhouse.”

Developed by Energy Policy WA and Western Power, the SWIS plan builds on extensive modelling and system planning carried out in previous government reports, including the Whole of System Plan 2020, the South West Interconnected System Demand Assessment: 2023 to 2024, and the South West Interconnected System Planning Update.

David Ulbrick, an expert in infrastructure at Pinsent Masons, said: “The SWIS plan makes it clear that Western Australia is strategically positioning itself to be a global leader in the clean energy transition, and both construction and energy industry participants will be central to delivering that vision.”

“There are three distinct phases of development outlined in the SWIS plan. Phase one upgrades, from 2025 to 2030, include the Kwinana Strategic Industrial Area and Western Trade Coast, Coolangatta Industrial Estate, and Kemerton SIA, to make a combined 1,500 megawatts (MW) available to support future industry growth,” he said.

“Phase two projects, from 2030 to 2035, include delivering transmission infrastructure in Chittering, Moora, Collie, and around metropolitan Perth. Phase three, covering 2035 and beyond, will involve expanding Western Power’s network to support economic diversification through the development of new green industries.”

WA currently plans to retire all state-owned coal plants by 2030. Renewables already make up roughly 39% of energy output in the state, with another 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of grid-scale batteries expected by end of 2025.

Toby Evans, an expert in infrastructure at Pinsent Mason, said: “The SWIS plan will create a multi-decade pipeline of infrastructure work in WA.”

“The plan will create high demand for heavy engineering contractors, line builders, substation specialists, steel fabricators and concrete suppliers, and skilled trades and apprentices,” he said.

“The long-term, sequential project pipeline allows for strategic workforce planning, supply chain mobilisation, joint ventures and risk-sharing partnerships and the roll out of priority projects will offer early tendering opportunities for construction firms.”

Thomas Coleman of Pinsent Masons said: “Firms should consider scaling up workforce and supply chains now to meet 2025–2030 peak, focus on gaining entry onto Western Power’s approved contractor lists, consider form strategic alliances and joint ventures to share risk and access larger packages, and engage early with corridor siting and design briefs.” 

Story Continues

The following is an extract from S&P Global Market
Intelligence’s latest Week Ahead Economic Preview. For the full
report, please click on the ‘Download Full Report’ link.

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US shutdown prompts more data worries as policy clues are
sought

Clues as to the path of US interest rates will hopefully be
provided from updated inflation numbers and economic activity data,
but a prolonged government shutdown would mean a lack of key US
data releases, engendering more uncertainty in the markets and
heightened growth worries. US tariff impact will, however, be
monitored via industrial production numbers for the US as well as
trade numbers out of mainland China and the eurozone. In the UK,
labour market and GDP come under scrutiny.

At the time of writing, an ongoing federal government shutdown
is set to affect US data releases in the coming week, including
consumer and producer price inflation numbers, as well as retail
sales data. The markets are expecting consumer prices to have risen
0.3% after a 0.4% rise in August, but for core inflation to hold
steady at 0.3%. Producer prices are meanwhile anticipated to have
risen 0.3% after a surprise 0.1% drop in August. Weakening price
trends will add to the odds of a further FOMC rate cut, but the
case for lower rates will also likely hinge on the activity data.
Fed-compiled industrial production data could therefore prove the
US data highlight of the week, alongside New York and Philly Fed
surveys.

Trade and inflation data are meanwhile issued for mainland
China, as are industrial production and trade data for the
eurozone. The data will be scoured for clues as to the impact of US
tariffs, though to also see whether domestic factors such as
increased fiscal spending may be offsetting some of the dampening
impact of the levies.

GDP data for August and the latest official labour market data
will be digested by UK economy watchers keen to gauge fiscal
implications ahead of November’s Budget. Prior data showed the
economy flatlining in July and ongoing steep job losses, the latter
largely blamed on last year’s Budget.
Recent PMI survey data have also disappointed, likewise
signalling a stagnating economy and falling employment. More weak
data could tip the scales further toward rate cuts by the Bank of
England. The Bank held rates steady at 4.0% at its last meeting,
but two of the nine policymakers voted to cut rates due to growth
concerns.

S&P Global will also be publishing the Investment Manager
Index (IMI) survey, revealing how institutional US equity investor
sentiment trends have changed in October.
Last month’s survey showed heightened risk aversion amid
worries over valuations and the political environment.

If released, US inflation numbers will be watched for signs
of tariff levies being passed through to end consumers. So far, the
inflation numbers have not risen as much as many analysts had
feared, but headline inflation was up to 2.9% in August with core
at 3.1%, and it remains early days in terms of the degree to which
the import levied might be expected to impact high street
prices.

Key diary events

Monday 13 Oct

Americas
Canada Market Holiday
– Brazil Business Confidence (Oct)

EMEA
– Germany Current Account (Aug)

APAC
Japan, Thailand Market Holiday
– China (Mainland) Trade (Sep)
– India Inflation (Sep)

Tuesday 14 Oct

S&P Global Investment Manager Index* (Oct)

Americas
– Canada Building Permits (Aug)

EMEA
– UK BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Sep)
– Germany Inflation (Sep, final)
– UK Labour Market Report (Aug)
– France IEA Oil Market Report
– Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment (Oct)
– Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment (Oct)

APAC
– Singapore GDP (Q3, adv)
– Australia NAB Business Confidence (Sep)
– Australia RBA Meeting Minutes (Oct)
– India WPI (Sep)
– China (Mainland) New Yuan Loans, M2, Loan Growth (Sep)

Wednesday 15 Oct

Americas
– Brazil Retail Sales (Aug)
– Canada Manufacturing Sales (Aug, final)
– US Inflation (Sep)
– US NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Oct)

EMEA
– Germany Wholesale Prices (Sep)
– France Inflation (Sep, final)
– Spain Inflation (Sep, final)
– Eurozone Industrial Production (Aug)

APAC
– China (Mainland) Inflation (Sep)
– Japan Industrial Production (Aug, final)
– India Unemployment (Sep)
– India Trade (Sep)

Thursday 16 Oct

Americas
– Canada Housing Starts (Sep)
– US PPI (Sep)
– US Retail Sales (Sep)
– US Initial Jobless Claims
– US Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Oct)
– US Business Inventories (Aug)
– US NAHB Housing Market Index (Oct)

EMEA
– UK monthly GDP, incl. Manufacturing, Services and Construction
Output (Aug)
– Italy Inflation (Sep, final)
– Eurozone Balance of Trade (Aug)
– Italy Balance of Trade (Aug)

APAC
– Japan Machinery Orders (Aug)
– Australia Employment Change (Sep)

Friday 17 Oct

Americas
– US Building Permits (Sep, prelim)
– US Housing Starts (Sep)
– US Industrial Production (Sep)
– US Capacity Utilization (Sep)

EMEA
– Eurozone Inflation (Sep, final)

APAC
– South Korea Export and Import Prices (Sep)
– South Korea Unemployment Rate (Sep)
– Singapore Non-Oil Domestic Exports (Sep)
– Malaysia Balance of Trade (Sep)
– Malaysia GDP (Q3, prelim)

* Access press releases of indices produced by S&P Global
and relevant sponsors
here.

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or in part without permission is prohibited.

Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI^®) data are compiled by S&P Global for more than 40 economies worldwide. The monthly data are derived from surveys of senior executives at private sector companies, and are available only via subscription. The PMI dataset features a headline number, which indicates the overall health of an economy, and sub-indices, which provide insights into other key economic drivers such as GDP, inflation, exports, capacity utilization, employment and inventories. The PMI data are used by financial and corporate professionals to better understand where economies and markets are headed, and to uncover opportunities.

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By Dr. Hao Xu, Head of Climate Innovation, Tencent

We already have the technologies to fight climate change – so why aren’t we deploying them faster?

That was the question I explored in my TED Countdown Talk. As Head of Climate Innovation at Tencent and an environmental engineer by training, I believe the biggest barrier to decarbonization isn’t the lack of technology – it’s how we work together.

The good news? There’s a way forward. Many scalable climate solutions are available today. From bacteria that turn CO₂ into fuel, to cooling materials that help save glaciers, we can make real impact now. The key is accelerating them by uniting science, engineering, and business to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions that help decarbonize the planet.

Catalyzing emerging low-carbon technology

“I’m more optimistic than ever that we have the answer to accelerating climate innovation, and it’s simple.”

Dr. Hao Xu, Head of Climate Innovation, Tencent

Although Tencent is not a major emitter, we are deeply committed to sustainability and tackling climate change. We have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in our operations and supply chain by 2030 and are leveraging our capabilities to fulfil our mission of creating tech for good.

Beyond improving data center efficiency and sourcing renewable energy, we’re focused on how to catalyze the next generation of climate technology. That’s why we launched our CarbonX program in partnership with industry, investors and innovators. Three years in, I’m more optimistic than ever, because we think the right answer is not so complicated.

Through CarbonX, we’ve learned that successful climate tech acceleration happens when four key areas work in harmony.

1. Scientific innovation: saving decades of climate tech R&D

Let’s start with the science, which is in advanced stages. We can capture solar energy, store it using cutting-edge chemistry, and convert CO₂ into valuable products – shaving decades off development.

Take Gasgene, a startup we work with through CarbonX. Using CRISPR – a gene editing tool – to reprogram clostridium bacteria, they’ve essentially taught these microorganisms to “eat” carbon dioxide and produce butanol instead. Butanol is found in clothing, paint, water bottles, toys and the like. With engineered clostridium, we can make these everyday products from captured carbon instead of fossil fuels.

2. Engineering expertise: scaling the science from lab to real world

Next is engineering, which acts as the bridge from lab to production, bringing scientific ideas to life at scale.

 

Imagine building a facility to produces 20,000 tons of butanol a year from captured CO₂. Engineers must decide: what size reactors are needed? Can we use standard equipment, or must systems be customized? How do we optimize for cost, safety and energy?

Think of it like LEGO – you use existing blocks wherever possible to build something new quickly and efficiently.

Feynman Dynamics, another CarbonX innovator, faced this challenge. Their goal: produce sustainable aviation fuel by combining captured CO₂ with green hydrogen. Their breakthrough? A catalyst that blends these ingredients at the molecular level, like a smoothie machine. Inspired by pharmaceutical chemistry, they created a reactor that delivers consistent, scalable performance, cutting waste and boosting efficiency.

3. Business knowhow: turning innovation into industry

However, even the best-engineered solution can fail without a viable business model. Markets, costs and customer demand drive adoption and innovations must make commercial sense.

Yuanchu, a startup that captures CO₂ and turns it into calcium carbonate – used in paper, makeup, and toothpaste – found a smart market fit. Instead of mining limestone, they repurpose steel and industrial by-products, cutting both emissions and costs.

Another example is Moguang, which developed cutting-edge radiative cooling material that reflects over 90 percent of sunlight. It cools objects naturally without using electricity. We piloted this technology on the endangered Dagu Glacier in southwestern China. After three years, melting slowed by 80 percent.

Today, that same material is used in hundreds of thousands of smartphone screens and sports cameras. From glaciers to gadgets, climate tech innovation is full of possibilities.

4. Integration: solving the bottlenecks

So, what’s holding us back? It’s not invention, it’s isolation.

Scientists focus on discovery. Engineers optimize performance. Businesses look at balance sheets. But rarely do they work together from day one.

To accelerate climate solutions, however, these disciplines must collaborate from the start. That means:

• Scientists asking: how much energy does it take to capture one ton of CO₂?
• Engineers asking: can this be deployed at industrial levels?
• Business leaders asking: when can we make this cost effective?

These aren’t easy conversations. But such cross-disciplinary tensions are essential to speed up progress and get us closer to decarbonization.

We’ve already seen this model succeed. With Gasgene, we helped form a clean chemical consortium, linking startups, chemical companies, and consumer brands to make carbon-based products a reality. That alignment enabled pilot deployment and scaling.

To recap, we don’t need to wait for new inventions. We need to work faster, and work together. That’s how we can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon world!

BluE Nexus Corporation (Headquarters: Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture; President: Hidetoshi Uchiyama, hereinafter “BluE”) and AISIN Corporation (Headquarters: Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture; President: Moritaka Yoshida, hereinafter “AISIN”), and DENSO CORPORATION (Headquarters: Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture; President: Shinnosuke Hayashi, hereinafter “DENSO”) have jointly developed an eAxle that achieves high power performance in a compact size, contributing to improved vehicle energy efficiency. This product will be installed in the new Toyota bZ4X.
  
The newly adopted eAxle, new inverter with a flat, double-sided cooling structure that incorporates advanced SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductors and cooling technology, thereby enhancing output density and efficiency. Furthermore, transmission efficiency has been improved by enhancing gear precision and reducing oil agitation resistance through casing shape optimization.
Through these technological advancements in eAxle, we are supporting the creation of vehicles that not only enhance practicality, such as extending driving range, but also pursue the pleasant driving experience and comfort that defines the bZ4X. Furthermore, it contributes to TOYOTA’s “multi-pathway” approach, which addresses the diverse needs of customers in every country and region as we strive to achieve carbon neutrality.
 
Moving forward, BluE, AISIN, and DENSO will continue to leverage our respective strengths and expertise to provide valuable technologies and products and contribute to a carbon-neutral society by having our products equipped in all types of electric vehicles.

The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmad, said that inflation has declined sharply and is projected to remain within the government’s target range of 5 to 7% over the medium term, although recent floods may exert temporary upward pressure on prices. 

Addressing the 9th Annual Microfinance Conference on Thursday, organised by the Pakistan Microfinance Network under the theme “Renaissance of Microfinance,” Governor Ahmad reiterated that achieving inclusive economic growth requires durable macroeconomic stability that uplifts communities and ensures prosperity for all. He reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and narrowing the gender gap.

The governor said that the policy and regulatory measures implemented in recent years have established a period of macroeconomic stability, reflected in significant improvements in key economic indicators. 

He noted the remarkable growth in Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves since February 2023 and strategic interbank purchases, which have strengthened reserves and enabled the government to make timely debt repayments without borrowing at higher interest rates.

Governor Ahmad emphasised that the SBP’s monetary policy and regulatory efforts have been complemented by sustained fiscal consolidation by the government, helping to contain demand-side pressures on inflation and the external account. 

He pointed out that Pakistan’s debt dynamics have considerably improved over the past three years and that economic growth is on track to recover and is expected to accelerate further in the current fiscal year. Reflecting on two decades of progress, the Governor reaffirmed SBP’s commitment to microfinance as a driver of inclusive growth and explained that the central bank has revised the Prudential Regulations for Microfinance Banks, transitioning from a rules-based to a principles-based approach. These reforms have removed restrictions on microenterprise lending, allowed greater operational flexibility, introduced a dedicated Agriculture and Livestock loan category, and increased loan limits up to Rs 5 million for agriculture, microenterprise, and housing loans, and Rs 500,000 for general loans.

He further highlighted the launch of the Climate Risk Fund under the World Bank-funded Resilient and Accessible Microfinance Project, which aims to support two million borrowers through liquidity facilities to mitigate the impact of climate shocks. 

In collaboration with the government, SBP has also introduced a Risk Coverage Scheme for Small Farmers and Underserved Areas, providing 10% first-loss coverage and operational incentives to expand lending in underserved regions such as Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Governor Ahmad underscored the progress under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2028, noting that financial inclusion rose from 47% in 2018 to 67% in June 2025, while the gender gap in financial access narrowed from 47% to 30%. He credited transformative digital initiatives including Raast, Asaan Mobile Account, Roshan Digital Account, the launch of Digital Banks, and the Banking on Equality Policy. He also reiterated the NFIS 2028 targets, which aim to expand financial inclusion in Pakistan to 75% and reduce the gender gap to 25% by 2028.

The Governor urged microfinance institutions to strengthen risk management practices by utilizing alternative data sources, digital tools for credit scoring, conducting internal audits, training staff to prevent fraud, and maintaining adequate liquidity buffers. He emphasized that good corporate governance, transparent communication, and climate-risk mapping are essential to fostering long-term sustainability.