Global Scans · 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] Solid state batteries, promising higher energy densities, are not expected to be aviation certified before 2028 as per the EU's Battery 2030+ roadmap. Market Data Forecast
• [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] Green hydrogen, solar and grid modernization initiatives will be central to India's 2026 energy security and decarbonization strategy. Passle
• [New] Small Modular Reactors have significant potential to transform Canada's energy landscape by providing clean, reliable, and flexible power. Canadian Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Feat
• [New] A new UK-EU agreement will coordinate an historic scale-up of North Sea offshore wind power, with nations jointly committing to deliver up to 100 GW of capacity by 2050, as part of a new Clean Energy Security Pact. We Mean Business Coalition
• [New] With global electricity demand set to grow 3.6% per year over the next five years, the International Energy Agency is projecting continuing growth for renewable energy, nuclear power, and gas-fired generation, with renewables plus nuclear on track to meet 50% of global demand by 2030. Electricity Info
• [New] McDonald's said it plans to start selling energy drinks, iced coffees and fruity refreshers under its McCafe brand sometime later in 2026. Yahoo Finance
• [New] On the forecast side, the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects Brent to average $56 a barrel in 2026, down from an average of $69 in 2025, as global oil production is projected to exceed demand and inventories rise. Dubai Diaries
• [New] Redirecting a larger share of existing capital spending to low-carbon investments could unlock as much as USD 1.3 trillion for the clean-energy transition. Bloomberg
• [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] 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] The Big 7 are expected to spend around $650 billion on AI-related infrastructure in 2026 alone (including on data centers, chips, energy, etc), on top of an already extraordinary $450 billion spent in 2025. IT-Online
• [New] PV power generation is expected to become the world's largest renewable energy source before 2030. https://www.vmaxpowerpv.com/
• [New] Floating Offshore Wind Energy will accelerate the global transition to clean energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change. GlobeNewswire
• [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] 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] Mining will play a pivotal role in the global transition to a low-carbon infrastructure, especially as demand for critical minerals for batteries, renewable energy systems, and electronics continues to surge. Farmonaut
• [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] 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

Last updated: 15 February 2026