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] A20 Pro is expected to become Apple's first chip built on a 2 nm process, promising a major leap in performance and energy efficiency. Vietnamnet.vn
• [New] Microsoft is investing heavily in nuclear energy - from a power purchase agreement that will bring Three Mile Island back to life, to a purchase agreement with a new fusion company. Valley Times-News
• [New] The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) plant will use magnetic confinement fusion, in which two forms of hydrogen are heated to extreme temperatures and fused to create helium and release energy. Nottinghamshire Live
• [New] Saudi Arabia could use its vast experience in project management and execution in the traditional energy sector to become a leader in green hydrogen production. ArabNews
• [New] Saudi Arabia, having set its net-zero target for 2060, has been heavily investing in the renewable energy sector, and with the world's largest green hydrogen plant, located in Neom, set to become fully operational in 2027. ArabNews
• [New] Worldwide demand will climb by 25% in 2026, a significant signal for the energy transition sector. Yahoo
• [New] In 2026 alone, the Department of Energy projects 24.3 gigawatts of new battery storage installations - more than twice as much as new wind power and almost quadruple the new gas-fired generation capacity. Fortune
• [New] Long-duration storage technologies like pumped hydro will become increasingly vital as the global shift to renewable energy accelerates. Bitget Exchange
• [New] The US-Israeli attacks, and Tehran's retaliation against American military bases in several countries, raise the risk of a wider war in a region that's key to global energy supplies. financialpost
• [New] Risks to global energy markets came into focus as oil and gas tankers increasingly avoided the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the open seas. financialpost
• [New] If the energy transition is to happen fast, electric smelters will be needed to utilise the mainly low-grade iron ore deposits found globally, with direct reduction-grade ore availability limited. EUROMETAL - The Voice of European Steel, Tubes and Meta
• [New] Nuclear power can work hand in hand with renewables to deliver energy security and significant investment, and highly skilled and well-paid job opportunities in Scotland, including East Lothian. East Lothian Courier
• [New] With global LNG demand on track to rise by 50% by 2040, Trump's agenda is setting up companies like Cheniere Energy Inc., Sempra, and Energy Transfer LP to become global gas superpowers. Forbes
• [New] Energy analysts have warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, could send Brent crude prices soaring to $100 a barrel. Fortune
• [New] In 2026, scrutiny of energy use, supply chains, data ethics, and social impact will continue to intensify. dotmagazine - joining the dots in the Internet industry
• [New] The UK's 'Invest 2035' strategy places clean energy at the heart of its industrial plan, aiming for energy independence and leadership in green technology. Oboe
• [New] Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review Energy AI and Data Centers Drive Record High Energy Demand Growing interest in GenAI has triggered a race to develop the technology, driving demand for high-density data centers and significantly increasing predicted electricity consumption. JD Supra
• [New] The Energy Information Administration forecasts exports will exceed 18.1 billion cubic feet per day by 2027, or approximately 136 million metric tons per year. / USA gCaptain
• [New] The UK government's planned expansion of AI and data centers could further increase electricity demand; cooling them alone currently accounts for about 40% of a data center's electricity use, so matching them with local sources of energy makes sense. The Conversation
• [New] The US federal research center in Tennessee is launching the Next Generation Data Centers Institute in support of national energy and AI priorities, though any lessons learned will likely apply globally as well. The Register
• [New] The massive scale of Project Stargate-aiming for 10 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2029-will require navigating complex regulatory environments and securing unprecedented amounts of green energy, presenting significant operational challenges. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] A new project, Tehuacana Creek 1 Solar and BESS, adding 837 megawatts in Texas, is the largest solar photovoltaic project expected to come online in 2026; it will also offer an additional 418 MW in battery energy storage capacity. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] Implementation Fidelity via Green Tech: Integrating solar-based mini-grids and green mechanization supports India's Net-Zero goals while reducing energy vulnerability for smallholder farmers. The Policy Edge

Last updated: 02 March 2026