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] As technology matures and policy frameworks strengthen, clean energy will become the dominant foundation of the global economy. TradingView
• [New] US renewable capacity will exceed 1 TW by 2035, improving grid stability and lowering the operational carbon footprint of energy-efficient buildings. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] Photovoltaic (PV) systems will be used in 2026, which will produce affordable clean energy for a more productive and cost-effective use of electrolysis units. The Diary 24
• [New] SoHyCal will likely begin producing approximately 1,290 tons of hydrogen per year in the first half of 2026; therefore, daily operations will increase, particularly upon the completion of additional renewable energy supply. The Diary 24
• [New] By 2026, lithium will remain relevant for premium, long-range EVs - but mass fleets and storage will increasingly adopt sodium, permanently challenging lithium's dominance and redefining how the world thinks about energy storage. techovedas
• [New] In 2026 and beyond, energy innovation will be paramount to economic success for the U.S. Solar Builder Magazine
• [New] Global demand for battery metals is projected to rise by 40% by 2026, driven by sustainable energy innovations. Farmonaut
• [New] The future homes standard could be a gamechanger, resulting in savings of more than £1,000 a year on energy bills even without batteries, and generating as much electricity for the UK as two nuclear power stations. The Guardian
• [New] More broadly, renewable energy projects' long-term success will depend not just on their capacity to deliver clean electricity, but also on how well they balance the needs of people, the planet, and wildlife. MarineLink
• [New] Energy costs in the United Kingdom are expected to decrease substantially by 2050 as the shift to renewables cuts the multibillion-pound bill for imported oil and gas. Augusta Free Press
• [New] California will be the first subnational entity to join the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, which targets 1,500 GW of storage. POWER Magazine
• [New] The International Energy Agency projects in its Renewables 2025 report, which was released in October, that solar will account for about 80% of the total increase in global renewable power capacity over the next five years. POWER Magazine
• [New] Silicon Valley and the Trump administration are betting the entire American economy on the continued growth of AI, a mission that will require spending billions of dollars on datacenters and new energy infrastructure. DrydenWire
• [New] This month, millions of households will see a slight rise in their energy bills, as the energy regulator Ofgem increases the price cap by 0.2%. BBC News
• [New] The sheer demand from data centers - which the IEA projects will consume as much energy as the country of Japan by the end of 2026 - has accelerated the permitting of nuclear power and the modernization of the U.S. electrical grid. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Energy Scaling: The completion of Megafactory Shanghai will double Tesla's energy storage capacity, potentially making the Energy segment equal to the Auto segment in profit within three years. FinancialContent
• [New] Australians might experience a bill shock in their energy bills in 2026, as the federal government rebates will dry up. SBS News
• [New] The United States has the opportunity to lead the world in clean energy production while lowering costs for consumers. Jen Kiggans
• [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] Analysts at energy consultancy Cornwall Insight predict an 8% drop in the price cap in April - the equivalent of a fall of £138 to £1,620 a year for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity. BBC News
• [New] Global renewable-energy capacity could double by the end of 2030. Earth Island Journal
• In energy and climate action, breakthroughs such as nighttime solar panels and solid state batteries will enable 24/7 clean power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting global decarbonization goals. UKAuthority

Last updated: 05 January 2026