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] The federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme has been expanded to a 40 GW target by 2030, alongside the Rewiring the Nation program and state-level Renewable Energy Zone commitments across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. Fuse Recruitment
• [New] Rising demand for critical battery minerals is expected to remain the primary growth driver, supported by accelerating electric vehicle production and the global transition toward clean energy technologies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Combining renewables with energy storage and balancing power, like engine power plants, could reduce global system costs by €65 trillion over the next 25 years, compared to a renewables-only pathway. Wartsila
• [New] An interconnected ASEAN by 2035 will unlock a highly efficient renewable energy system, with cross-border trade exceeding 120 TWh annually. Ember
• [New] Beyond enhancing operational flexibility, regional interconnection strengthens energy security by enabling greater renewable energy integration, therefore reducing reliance on gas imports and the associated geopolitical risks such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Ember
• [New] The energy storage segment is projected to register the fastest growth at a CAGR of 9.12% during 2026-2034, supported by rising demand for high-capacity batteries and long-duration space missions. Straits Research
• [New] The solar energy segment is projected to register the fastest growth at a CAGR of 41.57% during 2026-2034. Straits Research
• [New] The energy harvesting segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of 29.4% during 2026-2034, supported by increasing demand for self-powered wearable devices, advancements in flexible electronics, and the growing adoption of sustainable energy solutions in smart fabrics. Straits Research
• [New] China remains the largest hydrogen producer and the global leader in electrolyzer deployment, supported by its carbon neutrality target for 2060 and large-scale renewable energy integration. Persistence Market Research
• [New] By the end of 2026, Crux expects tax credit transfers in the US - an integral part of the US clean energy financing space introduced by the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - to be as high as US$ 49 billion in 2026, up as much as 18% from 2025. PV Tech
• [New] India and Russia are stepping up efforts to increase bilateral trade to US$ 100 billion by 2030, with both countries expanding cooperation across trade, energy, technology and skilled employment as part of their long-term strategic partnership. TV BRICS
• [New] Increasing the share of renewables in the power mix is already a stated strategy in both Saudi Arabia, which plans to have 50% of its power mix met by renewables by 2030, and the UAE which has a 50% clean energy target set for 2050. Emirates NBD Research
• When compared to an extremely optimistic benchmark projecting reduced environmental impacts of conventional animal agriculture by 2030, cultivated meat produced using renewable energy can reduce the carbon footprint of beef by up to 92%, pork by 44%, and be competitive with chicken. The Good Food Institute
• The IRENA's World Energy Transitions Outlook calls for a tripling of annual renewable power capacity additions from around 300 gigawatts to 1000 GW on average until 2030 globally. INTERNATIONAL DAYS
• Moving the current average global efficiency rate of coal-fired power plants from 37.5% to 47.5% by deploying more advanced technology could cut 2 gigatons of CO2 emissions while allowing affordable energy for economic development and poverty reduction. Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
• The International Energy Agency forecasted a record global oil surplus of 4.0 million bpd for 2026. Barchart.com
• Africa has become strategically central to the global green transition owing to its vast reserves of critical minerals, significant renewable energy potential, and youthful labour force. Tess
• Between now and 2030, an estimated USD 670 billion must be directed each year towards grids, with further investment required to rapidly scale up energy storage solutions, facilitate renewable integration and safeguard grid stability. Global Renewables Alliance
• More recently, Iran has threatened to target desalination infrastructure used by the US and Israel in West Asia in response to any attacks on its own domestic fuel and energy infrastructure-signalling an alarming escalation in the weaponization of water systems. orfonline.org
• As adoption increases, blockchain will continue to play a pivotal role in reshaping how we produce, distribute, and trade energy globally. California Management Review
• If SMR technology delivers at scale by the early 2030s, the long-term AI energy trajectory becomes sustainable. AI Business Weekly

Last updated: 23 August 2026