Our Scans · (LF.7) 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] Replacing thermal distillation could reduce annual U.S. energy costs by $4 billion and save 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• [New] Sessions will explore how machine learning can optimize smart grids and energy storage systems, a growing need as data center electricity demand is expected to increase dramatically by 2026. Inspenet
• [New] In 2026, PSUs such as PGCIL and NTPC will be the main employers of electrical graduates with knowledge of green energy integration. / India Jagran Josh
• [New] India has set an ambitious target of installing 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, and meeting 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. Mint
• [New] In the Union Budget 2026, analysts anticipate support for the nuclear energy sector, with targets for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Mint
• [New] Virtually all net new electrical generating capacity in 2026 will be provided by solar, wind, and batteries according to a new forecast released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment America
• [New] Data center energy requirements are projected to increase the US electricity demand by 60% to 80% through 2050. Mexico Business
• [New] CCS is moving from a niche energy-transition risk to a mainstream line requiring scalable capacity, specialist underwriting and early broker involvement as projects move toward construction later this decade. Insurance Business
• [New] The International Energy Agency expects natural gas prices to stay fairly stable in 2026. investing.com
• [New] 2026 will be a defining year for storage's role as a foundational technology in grids dominated by variable renewable energy, supporting decarbonization while meeting the growing needs of large-scale electricity consumers. Energy-Storage.News
• [New] The Bintulu Industrial Cluster is advancing hydrogen production, carbon capture, and renewable energy projects, supported by the state-level Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 and Sarawak Energy Transition Policy. / Malaysia The Economy
• [New] Global energy storage deployment will exceed 100 GW in 2026, driven largely by the need to integrate intermittent renewables with data center-scale loads. The Property Chronicle
• [New] Key initiatives include expanded water recycling, green hydrogen pilots, commissioning desalination plants, shifting to renewable energy sources, and transparency in environmental governance - with a target of net zero emissions by 2040. Farmonaut
• [New] Looking ahead, high commodity prices, recovering logistics networks, and ongoing investment in renewable energy are expected to lift real GDP growth to around 1.9-2.0 per cent in 2026. South Africa
• [New] Geothermal energy could supply a substantial portion of America's electricity by 2050 if costs fall and federal support continues. Stanford Emerging Technology Review
• [New] The IEA's Future of Geothermal Energy report, published in late 2024, estimated that with continued technology improvements and reductions in project costs, next-generation geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth to 2050. IEA
• [New] Solar energy, Musk believes, will be central to overcoming that constraint. Mirage News
• [New] Smart grid technology has become a critical enabler of the clean energy transition in 2026, with investment needing to more than double through 2030 to meet net-zero targets. Programming Helper
• [New] Analysts increasingly see energy as a segment that could rival or even surpass autos in revenue over the long run, especially as Tesla targets using 100% renewable energy in manufacturing by 2026. TESMAG
• [New] In 2026, sustainable bond issuance is expected to exceed USD 1 trillion, fueled by higher redemptions, continued investment in the energy transition aligned with 2030 targets, and rising energy demand associated with economy wide-electrification and AI-related infrastructure needs. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] Global demand for critical minerals and metals is expected to accelerate over the next decade, driven by population growth, urbanization, the energy transition and national security imperatives. Mining Weekly
• [New] To meet global climate goals and deliver energy for all, clean energy investment must more than triple by 2030, and much of it must go to emerging and developing economies. United Nations

Last updated: 02 February 2026