Global Scans · Energy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: By 2025 solar energy will be the cheapest energy option globally. In 2040, oil and natural gas are expected to make up nearly 60 percent of global supplies, while nuclear and renewables will be approaching 25 percent. Improvements in energy efficiency in lighting and home appliances are expected to continue to push residential electricity use lower. The burning of coal will fall out of favor. Transportation energy consumption will be rising in correlation to growth in automated vehicles in the coming years.

• [New] Poland plans to enter the nuclear energy sector, with the first reactor scheduled to go into operation in 2036 according to current plans and five more to follow by 2043. GRS gGmbH
• [New] Utility-scale solar is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S., with an expected increase to 424 billion kWh by 2027, up from 290 billion kWh in 2025. Mercomindia.com
• [New] Without coordinated improvements across production, transport, and technology supply networks, the global transition to green hydrogen may struggle to deliver expected climate and energy benefits. The Leading Solar Magazine In India
• [New] Depending on how quickly governments and industry drive the energy transition, lithium demand could reach between 5.6 and 13.2 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2050. GOLDINVEST.de
• [New] The broader point is that China expects a more unstable external environment and is structuring its energy system accordingly. Geopolitical Newsletter
• [New] Qatar has fewer air defences than its larger neighbours, and its energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, made the startling claim today that all Gulf oil and gas producers could be forced to stop production within days. The Atlantic
• [New] Gulf countries could be compelled to stop energy exports within weeks, causing major disruptions to global supply chains. investing.com
• [New] Energy risks are rising after Russia signalled it could halt gas supplies to Europe if more profitable markets emerge. CPA | The Credit Protection Association
• [New] As the ice retreats, new shipping lanes and energy reserves will open up, significantly increasing the likelihood of direct clashes between Russia and NATO over territory and resources in 2026. Daily Record
• [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] Solar energy manufacturing alone is projected to consume a massive 160 million ounces of silver in 2026. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Iran conflicts bolstered the necessity for renewable energy, as solar and wind power can reduce vulnerability to external supply and decentralized power generation that offers greater autonomy from global energy markets. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
• [New] Europe faced energy security threats, with eurozone growth potentially reduced by 0.1% and inflation up 0.5%. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
• [New] Escalating conflicts in the Near East could further push up energy and fertilizer prices, increasing production and transportation costs for farmers globally. flavorist.com
• [New] Amazon's commitment comes as political backlash against data centers grows, as consumers worry new data centers will increase their energy bills. Sophic Capital
• [New] A quick de-escalation could pull oil prices back, pressuring shares; prolonged tensions favor energy majors like Exxon. International Business Times
• [New] The combination of soaring demand from restarted nuclear plants and a ban on Russian imports is putting immense pressure on the handful of western enrichment facilities, raising fears that a lack of nuclear fuel could derail the planned energy renaissance just as AI needs it most. Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [New] Centrus Energy, one of the largest US suppliers of enriched uranium, is warning of a looming supply crunch. Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [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] 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] 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] 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

Last updated: 13 March 2026