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] New restrictions on Russian uranium imports starting in 2028 further emphasize energy security risks. Carbon Credits
• [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] Electricity demand is on course to grow at least 2.5 times as fast as overall energy demand through 2030 as the Age of Electricity takes hold. IEA
• [New] The House will vote on the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act legislation that could provide a deeper look at supply chain vulnerabilities tied to critical minerals, with a focus on the energy sector. PRG
• [New] As a reaction to the geopolitical uncertainty, energy companies could shift to local production, forming alternative partnerships and/or using new supply chains, which means insurers will have a host of new and evolving risks to grapple with in 2026. / USA DWF
• [New] Technology is becoming vital for demand management: As physical projects stall, companies pivot to extracting more output from existing assets: tech budgets for energy supply optimization - including using AI or digital twins - are expected to rise approximately 16% in 2026. Womble Bond Dickinson
• [New] Hydrogen offers a clean energy solution for a sustainable future and could play a pivotal role in Australia's international advantage in a hydrogen economy. Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism
• [New] The International Energy Agency projects graphite demand doubling by 2040, while Chinese export restrictions on graphite processing create supply vulnerabilities that Mexican production could address. Discovery Alert
• [New] The International Energy Agency's Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025 identifies copper as facing structural deficits, with mined supply projected to fall short of demand by 30% by 2035, creating premium pricing opportunities for regional producers. Discovery Alert
• [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] Emissions We forecast U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to decrease by 1.4% in 2026 relative to 2025 and to decrease by an additional 0.5% in 2027 relative to 2026. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] PV power generation is expected to become the world's largest renewable energy source before 2030. https://www.vmaxpowerpv.com/
• [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] Emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) will account for well over 80% of global energy demand growth this decade, as well as much new infrastructure investment. David Carlin's Digest: Your Guide to a Changing World
• [New] Global electricity demand is set to grow 2.5 times as fast as overall energy demand by 2030, ushering in what the International Energy Agency has dubbed the Age of Electricity. PV Tech
• [New] Renewable energy is expected to provide 30.9-39.2% of electricity production by 2030, moving toward 47% with strong international support under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and reaching 67.5-71.5% by 2050. Vietnamnet.vn
• [New] Energy savings are targeted at 8-10% of total final consumption by 2030 compared with a business-as-usual scenario. Vietnamnet.vn
• [New] Battery technology presented at the Computer and Electronic Show (CES) 2026 showcased energy densities around 400 Wh / kg, charging times that could drop to five minutes, and lifespans far beyond current lithium-ion standards. Dealerfloor
• [New] Growing AI adoption could modestly increase U.S. carbon emissions, highlighting the need for energy-efficient AI systems. SciTechDaily
• [New] Although critical minerals are relied on for renewables, battery storage and turbine production globally, a change in the wind for renewable energy policy in the US means the increased domestic critical mineral yield will not be majorly funneled into the energy transition. Passle
• [New] Nuclear development in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa's planned 10 GW expansion further diversifies the energy opportunity set, though it carries execution and regulatory risks. Passle
• [New] The defining trend for 2026 will be the accelerating investment in energy and digital infrastructure, driven by industrialization, digitalization, and the adoption of electric vehicles. Passle

Last updated: 13 February 2026