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] While demand for oil and coal is expected to decrease in alignment with the International Energy Agency's (IEA) 1.5 degree scenario, demand for other bulk commodities, such as minerals and chemicals (e.g. methanol), may increase due to growing focus on renewable energy. Nordea
• [New] Energy could become a constraint towards the end of 2026 or in 2027. / USA Ashmore Group
• [New] The rapid expansion of energy-hungry data centers is a major factor, with the Department of Energy estimating that data centers consumed 4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023 - a figure that could triple by 2028. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The United States has the opportunity to lead the world in clean energy production while lowering costs for consumers. Jen Kiggans
• [New] In some emerging economies, unreliable energy grids account for economic losses of up to 6% of GDP, with total losses projected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2030. Council Fire
• [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] 2026 will be the year when the evolution of AI will be tested to see how it can break through energy constraints. / Japan Amiko Consulting
• [New] By 2050 gas will firmly remain the primary source of energy in the US given that the current infrastructure plans for implementing renewable energy cannot provide sufficient energy output. Mirage News
• [New] US communities will fail to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 despite their pledges to do so. Mirage News
• [New] Renewable energy companies now have until 2027 or 2030 to qualify for 10 years of tax credits, depending on when construction begins. Straight Arrow News
• [New] While energy analysts agree that data centers will drive more energy demand, 2026 should provide more insight into the actual size and speed of data center construction. Straight Arrow News
• [New] Fastest-Growing Project Type: Removal/Sequestration is the fastest-growing segment, with a 19.2% CAGR through 2033, driven by declining costs, advances in renewable energy integration, and commercial opportunities for captured CO2 utilization in synthetic fuels and industrial chemicals production. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In 2026, - solar's generation share will likely set new records in even more countries, helping to keep global energy transition momentum alive even if some major economies, such as the U.S., step back. Yahoo News
• [New] Energy demand in buildings will grow slowly to 2045, thereafter slowly reducing to reach 23% above today's level in 2060. DNV
• [New] Half of the energy demand will already be served by electricity in 2040. / China DNV
• [New] Electrification comes with noticeable efficiency gains and contributes strongly to curbing energy demand by 20% between 2030 and 2060. / China DNV
• [New] China is emerging as an electrostate: electricity's share in meeting its total energy demand will double from 27% today to 55% in 2060. DNV
• [New] Fossil energy sources combined will be dwarfed by renewables in electricity generation before 2030. DNV
• [New] Hydrogen's role becomes increasingly visible with it covering 1% of energy demand in 2040, increasing to 5% in 2060. DNV
• [New] All fossil fuel shares will shrink substantially but will still cover 26% of energy demand in 2060, which by then will be almost evenly split between natural gas, oil, and coal. DNV
• [New] Annual total electricity consumption nationwide is expected to surpass 10 trillion kilowatt-hours for the first time, with the installed capacity share of renewable energy generation rising to approximately 60%, leading global green energy transformation. CGTN
• [New] Leading up to the December ministerial meeting, the International Energy Agency warned of a potential surplus of nearly 4 million bpd in 2026, driven by record output from the United States, Brazil, and Guyana. FinancialContent
• The Nao Victoria will consist of up to 55 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 18 MW, and is expected to generate clean energy for over 670,000 households upon completion. Market Research Company - Blackridge Research & Consult

Last updated: 02 January 2026