Hot on the heels of the UK Government’s commitment to the most significant programme of investment in homegrown clean energy in the UK’s history, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, has talked through what energy transformation means for the UK in coming years.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce a transformative £86bn in the Spending Review to turbo-charge the country's fastest growing sectors, from tech and life sciences, to advanced manufacturing and defence, as part of the the UK Government’s plan to invest in Britain’s renewal through its Modern Industrial Strategy.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published its Critical Minerals Outlook 2025. It points out that critical minerals, which are essential for a range of energy technologies and for the broader economy, have become a major focus in global policy and trade discussions. Price volatility, supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical concerns make the regular monitoring of their supply and demand vital.
The World Bank has approved a $200m concessional credit to support Uzbekistan in modernising its irrigation and drainage infrastructure and improving the quality of irrigation service delivery. The project aims to reduce water losses and increase the energy efficiency of irrigation systems across five regions of the country. The Government of Uzbekistan will provide $23.2m in co-financing.
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia, a developer of sustainable energy solutions, and the Canadian infrastructure fund OMERS have announced the commissioning of the Lauriston Solar Farm, in partnership with Genesis Energy.
The Great British Energy Bill has received legislative consent from all three devolved governments. This will allow Great British Energy to operate more effectively in each devolved nation. Great British Energy will invest in clean power projects across the UK as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower.
CorPower Ocean, has signed an agreement to build a 5MW wave energy project at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. Scheduled for deployment in 2029, the 5MW array is expected to become the UK’s largest wave energy project. Deployed at EMEC’s grid-connected Billia Croo wave energy test site, it will comprise 14 wave energy converters, operating for up to 15 years.
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $350m grant from the International Development Association to support Malawi’s Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project (MHSP), a large infrastructure operation aiming to transform the country’s energy landscape and its economic development trajectory.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has published the Interim National Energy Balance for 2024, which shows that Ireland’s energy-related emissions are now at their lowest level in over 30 years, falling a further 1.3% last year. This marks an overall decrease of 11% since carbon emissions targets were introduced in 2021 and the third consecutive year with an emissions reduction.
The North Sea Transition Authority and Crown Estate Scotland have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to collaborate on energy and carbon storage in the North Sea. The SoI includes a pledge to progress net zero targets by helping different technologies share space and taking a coordinated approach to managing the seabed.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is making a $30m loan available to Obelisk Solar Power, a project company owned by Scatec ASA. The financing facility will finance a new 1GWac solar plant in Egypt with 200MWh of battery storage. It is expected that the project will reduce CO2 emissions by 1.3m tonnes per year.
The UK and the EU have agreed a substantial cooperation agreement in relation to trade and free movement. Included in the package are two energy and emissions trading arrangements.
As part of Project Clover, TikTok’s data security initiative, all three buildings in its Norwegian data centre are now online. The data centre in Hamar, Norway, developed by Green Mountain, plays an important role in the local economy, but sustainability is also a core focus.
AI is already impacting the design of global cities and infrastructure – with more than a third (36%) of engineers, architects and city planners relying on it daily, a new survey from Arup has revealed.
Australian Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, has said in response to the Australian Federal Election result: “This was an energy referendum. Nuclear bombed at the ballot, with Australians dubbing it toxic. Australians backed a bright, clean, renewable energy future and endorsed the progress that has already been made.”