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] Global petroleum distribution systems concentrate enormous volumes through narrow geographic passages, creating structural vulnerabilities that energy markets must continuously price into contract valuations. Discovery Alert
• [New] In 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy set a goal for proton exchange membrane electrolysis to achieve 77% electrical efficiency by 2031. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• [New] In 2026-2030, more than 400 GW of net renewable energy capacity is projected to be added, with 70% coming from solar PV alone. IEA
• [New] Low-emissions energy sources - renewables, led by solar, and nuclear - will see their share in global electricity generation rise to 50% through 2030, up from 42% in 2025. IEA
• [New] Wind is set to be the largest source of electricity generation in the European Union over the forecast horizon, overtaking nuclear energy, and its share will rise from 17% to 25% by 2030. IEA
• [New] That only 15% of the total untapped hydropower resource potential in the U.S., meaning hydropower can remain a growing energy source for decades to come. National Hydropower Association
• [New] Following the NREL Marine Energy in the United States: An Overview of Opportunities, the NHA MEC developed a U.S. Marine Energy Commercialization Strategy calling for domestic marine energy deployment targets of at least 50 MW by 2025, 500 MW by 2030, and 1 GW by 2035. National Hydropower Association
• [New] Energy Storage: The Megapack business is on track to represent 20% of Tesla's total profit by 2027, providing a stable counter-cyclical hedge to auto sales. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] With growing production and EoL supply of LFP, solely using EoL LFP EV batteries in second use applications is sufficient to meet the annual stationary energy storage demand in California by 2050. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Stationary energy storage demands can be met by more than 100% by 2050 through the second use of EoL EV batteries. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Taking California again as an example, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicts electricity generation from renewable energy (solar, wind, and hydro) of 430 TWh by 2050, which is 230% more than in 2024 with around 130 TWh. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In northern England, regions including East Yorkshire, Hull and Tees Valley will receive enhanced support, with funding packages of £30 million, to drive industrial decarbonization and clean energy projects, reflecting their strategic importance in the UK's transition to net zero. Business Matters
• [New] The East Midlands is set to benefit from funding to scale clean energy and advanced manufacturing technologies, including the development of testing and validation facilities that will help smaller firms collaborate with global manufacturers. Business Matters
• [New] South-West Wales will see investment in two connected clusters: energy security, centred on offshore wind and hydrogen, and materials security, aimed at improving the recycling and processing of critical resources to reduce reliance on imports. Business Matters
• [New] Two connected clusters in South-West Wales will target energy security and materials security, including scaling offshore wind, hydrogen and critical materials processing. National Technology News
• [New] We expect all of China's additional electricity demand in 2026-2030 to be met by low-emissions sources, renewables and nuclear energy. IEA
• [New] Helion Energy (US) has secured Microsoft as an anchor customer for fusion-generated electricity by 2028. European Business Magazine
• [New] SPARC is designed to prove net energy generation and is expected to reach first plasma by the end of 2026. Whalesbook
• [New] LONGi Green Energy and Jinko Solar have announced plans to substitute silver with copper in photovoltaic cells, with mass production expected in Q2 2026. CSFX Research
• [New] World leaders pledged at COP 28 in 2023 to triple installed renewable energy capacity to more than 11 TW by 2030. The Register
• [New] Great Britain has introduced a long-duration energy storage cap and floor scheme requiring projects to discharge at full power for at least eight hours, with an indicative capacity range of 2.7 to 7.7 GWh by 2035. IEA
• [New] Italy's auction mechanism aims to procure 50 GWh of BESS capacity by 2030 to support renewable energy integration. IEA
• Global renewable energy capacity is expected to more than double by 2030. WPHM

Last updated: 06 April 2026