Global Scans · Affordable and Clean Energy · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

• [New] Expanding renewable capacity, particularly in the United States, is expected to exceed one terawatt by 2035, reinforcing the decarbonization of energy-intensive materials. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] Artificial intelligence remains a powerful secular trend, and the infrastructure needed to build it - energy, industrials, and materials - could sustain elevated growth in 2026 and beyond. Nasdaq
• [New] AI-enabled building and industrial management systems can cut energy use by 16-36 percent, easing peak loads at a time when global grids may need 80 million kilometers of new transmission by 2040. Financier Worldwide
• [New] Although global demand for fossil fuel energy is slowing, oil prices could still spike up, hitting growth in Europe and Asia. Counterfire
• [New] With energy demands rising - especially due to new data centers powering artificial intelligence infrastructure-Japan aims to double nuclear's share to 20% by 2040 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] In 2026, the energy demands of thousands of data centers could begin to strain global resources. Dayforce
• [New] With careful planning, 2026 could mark a decisive step toward Latin America becoming a global energy hub and a more competitive trading region. TradingView
• [New] India's renewable energy sector is booming, with solar capacity now surpassing fossil fuels and $360 billion lined up for investments by 2030. Economic Times
• [New] Global vanadium demand for energy storage is projected to rise 31% by 2026, accelerating advanced battery innovation. Farmonaut
• [New] 2026 will be the year when the evolution of AI will be tested to see how it can break through energy constraints. / Japan Amiko Consulting
• [New] India has positioned itself as a leader in renewable energy, setting an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable power capacity by 2030, with 50% of its generation capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources. Council Fire
• [New] Renewable energy companies now have until 2027 or 2030 to qualify for 10 years of tax credits, depending on when construction begins. Straight Arrow News
• [New] In 2026, utility-scale energy storage projects in the United States will face headwinds that could slow the pace of a technology that is fast becoming a global grid staple. RTO Insider
• [New] Energy-from-waste facilities will begin mandatory monitoring, with full compliance by 2028. / UK Tunley Environmental
• [New] For customers who receive the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) income-eligible discount, rates will decrease about 6%. Yahoo Finance
• [New] In the United States alone, data centers are expected to need up to 106 gigawatts of energy by 2035, up from 35 gigawatts in 2024. Sada News Agency
• [New] In 2026 the world will cross the threshold of producing 20% of its electricity through renewable energy for the first time. CIDOB
• [New] The nuclear energy sector will operate 15 reactors worldwide in 2026, marking a significant leap after the total capacity shrank by 1.1 gigawatts this year. Sada News Agency
• [New] Overall energy consumption, measured in oil-equivalent units, is expected to grow 23% by 2050 to 378 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, underscoring oil's enduring role in global development. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Leading up to the December ministerial meeting, the International Energy Agency warned of a potential surplus of nearly 4 million bpd in 2026, driven by record output from the United States, Brazil, and Guyana. FinancialContent

Last updated: 04 January 2026