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] The Boston Consulting Group estimates that in core energy transition technologies such as solar, wind, and decentral generation, 7 million green jobs alone could remain unfilled, as domestic training pipelines remain insufficient. Center for Global Development
• [New] Major EU commitments to U.S. energy, investment, and defence: The EU will buy $750 billion in U.S. energy products (roughly $250 billion annually over three years), invest $600 billion in the U.S., and acquire substantial U.S. military equipment. Necanet.org
• [New] Electricity use has already grown at twice the pace of overall energy demand over the last decade, but from today to 2035, we expect it to grow six times as fast. Yonhap News Agency
• [New] Nuclear energy already provides one-quarter of global low-carbon electricity, and it is expected to double its contribution by mid-century. Damona | Strategy consulting | Nuclear industry
• [New] The ability to transfer energy between the Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, Texas, and Quebec could enable reserve sharing, especially during contingency conditions, which would improve grid reliability and resilience. Energy.gov
• [New] Hydrogen could help cut billions of tons of carbon emissions, accelerate the energy transition, and reshape global fuel markets. Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Features & Ev
• [New] With $30 billion in announced projects, Australia is leveraging its vast renewable energy potential to develop large-scale hydrogen production. SpringerLink
• [New] The UAE aims to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050, as outlined in the UAE Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. SpringerLink
• [New] Oman has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a significant focus on green hydrogen production as a key driver for expanding solar and wind energy utilization. SpringerLink
• [New] Despite the high current costs, green hydrogen production costs are expected to decrease by ~ 30% by 2030, driven by scaling up electrolyzer manufacturing, advancements in renewable energy technologies, and improved system designs. SpringerLink
• [New] Looking ahead, declining renewable energy prices, solar PV and onshore wind costs have already fallen by 85% and 68% since 2010, are projected to reach USD 0.01-0.02/kWh in optimal regions by 2030, further reducing electricity's share of hydrogen production costs. SpringerLink
• [New] Global hydrogen demand currently stands at approximately 100 Mt and is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, with predictions suggesting that hydrogen may supply up to 20% of global energy demand within 30 years. SpringerLink
• [New] As the U.S. pivots toward renewables, Canadian oil and gas firms with low-carbon credentials - such as Cenovus Energy - could attract ESG-focused capital. Ainvest
• [New] The IEA projects that global renewable energy output - including solar, wind and hydro - will surpass coal output in either 2025 or 2026. The Guardian
• [New] The International Energy Agency forecasts that solar and wind will meet more than 90% of the global increase in electricity demand in 2025. The Guardian
• [New] An international team led by UCL researchers has developed durable new solar cells capable of efficiently harvesting energy from indoor light, meaning devices such as keyboards, remote controls, alarms and sensors could soon be battery free. University College London
• [New] The U.S. Department of Energy argued in a July report that the U.S. will face a significantly increased risk of power outages by 2030 if scheduled coal and natural gas plant retirements are allowed to proceed, as previously reported by The Center Square. The Center Square
• [New] Energy Storage is suffering from fears of tariffs in the US, which nevertheless accounts for a limited share of the total segment. Inderes
• [New] Hydrogen and Clean Fuels: The Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for Hydrogen Energy (2021-2035) targets 50,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2025 and a complete industrial ecosystem by 2035. Ainvest
• [New] Construction work will start in coming weeks under a plan to develop a data center complex on the Cowal Peninsula which will harness advanced computing power to help ensure Scotland makes the most of the potential of low carbon energy sources. no2nuclearpower
• [New] The scale of global data generation, projected to exceed 200 zettabytes annually by 2025, enables AI to optimize energy use through advanced smart grid systems, streamline supply chains and revolutionize health care with precision diagnostics and personalized treatments. Morgan Stanley Investment Management
• [New] The world spent $2.4 trillion adding record amounts of clean energy capacity in 2024 and is expected to continue adding capacity in 2025. Morgan Stanley Investment Management
• [New] Green hydrogen presents significant development opportunities for renewable-rich countries in the Global South, including industrial growth, job creation, infrastructure development, improved trade balance, and increased access to energy and water. NewClimate Institute

Last updated: 29 August 2025