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] PV power generation is expected to become the world's largest renewable energy source before 2030. https://www.vmaxpowerpv.com/
• [New] By 2030, renewables and nuclear energy are set to account for half of the world's power mix. Balkan Green Energy News
• [New] Electricity demand is on course to grow at least 2.5 times as fast as overall energy demand through 2030 as the Age of Electricity takes hold. IEA
• [New] Despite the continued global push towards renewable energy, geopolitical changes in 2025 could lead to a momentum shift going into 2026 and beyond. DWF
• [New] While renewables are already leading the charge in providing cleaner energy, the role of AI in driving future advancements, such as the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) and new energy storage technologies, will be vital in meeting global energy goals. GlobeNewswire
• [New] Opportunities abound for oil & gas companies exploring new revenue streams in emerging technologies, data center power and critical mineral supplies, and with global energy demand only continuing to scale, there will be much to do in 2026. Mondaq
• [New] Energy storage is expected to be a key driver for lithium demand between now and 2030. investing.com
• [New] By 2030, overall energy demand was projected to be about 19.4% lower than under a business-as-usual path. earth.com
• [New] Illinois became the latest state to adopt energy storage procurement targets aiming to build out 3 GW of battery-energy storage systems by 2030. National Conference of State Legislatures
• [New] Renewable energy is expected to provide 30.9-39.2% of electricity production by 2030, moving toward 47% with strong international support under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and reaching 67.5-71.5% by 2050. Vietnamnet.vn
• [New] AI's role in energy optimization will play a critical part in balancing the growing demand, unlocking 175 GW of transmission capacity, and saving USD 110 billion annually in operational costs. Yahoo Finance
• [New] AI's potential to optimise energy systems could save USD 110 billion annually in power plant operations and maintenance costs by 2035. Yahoo Finance
• [New] X-Energy expects to deliver the five gigawatts of power contracted by Amazon by 2039, with the first reactors coming online sometime in the 2030s. The Register
• [New] The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) announced the Wind Turbine Technology Recycling Funding Opportunity, which will invest $20 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Energy.gov
• [New] The European Nuclear Society's High Scientific Council has called on European leaders to integrate long-term operation of existing nuclear power plants into national and EU-level energy strategies, warning that Europe cannot afford to prematurely shut down safe, low-carbon reactors. The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency
• [New] Europe in 2026 more EU member states will transpose the Renewable Energy Directive III into their national laws, as some are awaiting final approvals and others have advanced transposition drafts. Biofuels International
• [New] Global investments in clean energy must surge to $4.5 trillion annually by 2030 to keep the world within the 1.5 °C warming limit. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Google has pledged to reduce its emissions by a staggering 1 gigaton per year by 2030, underscoring the seriousness with which major players are embracing clean energy. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The UK's government has committed to ambitious renewable energy targets, with a clear roadmap to reach 45-47 GW of solar capacity by 2030. energygain.co.uk
• [New] As the UK aims for a decarbonized energy system by 2030 and beyond, solar energy will undoubtedly play a vital role in powering a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable future. energygain.co.uk
• [New] With global capacity expected to nearly triple in the next decade, the momentum behind solar is undeniable, promising a brighter and more sustainable energy landscape worldwide. energygain.co.uk
• [New] A new regulation coming into effect in the spring of 2026 will allow renewable energy sources like solar and wind to participate in voltage control services, which were previously limited to conventional power plants. Passle

Last updated: 16 February 2026