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] In 2026, China will likely lead in Asia Pacific with a share of around 38.5%, owing to its continued investments in smart grid modernization and digital energy management. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy is accelerating adoption of outsourced FM models to achieve energy optimization, carbon reduction, and lifecycle asset management across public and private sector infrastructure. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] The European Commission's Renovation Wave Strategy aims to double the annual rate of building energy renovation by 2030, targeting 35 million buildings for deep retrofit across EU member states. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Global lithium demand could grow 40 times by 2040 as clean energy becomes more popular. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Continued investments in renewable energy, battery storage, and smart grid technologies will help communities build more resilient and sustainable energy systems while supporting America's clean energy transition. Sol Setu
• [New] Microgrids will play a vital role in strengthening America's energy security while supporting clean energy goals. Sol Setu
• [New] Hydrogen - as a primary energy source for propulsion, either for fuel cells, direct burn in thermal engines or as a building block for synthetic liquid fuels - could feasibly power aircraft with entry into service by 2035 for short-range aircraft. Clean Aviation
• [New] The African Development Bank has approved USD 66 million (EUR57.6m) in financing for the first phase of the Dandara project in southern Egypt, which will include 500 MW of solar and a 100-MWh battery energy storage system. Renewables Now
• [New] Under the EU's revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, member states must renovate the worst-performing 16% of non-residential buildings by 2030, rising to 26% by 2033. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] As one of Europe's largest energy infrastructure projects, SuedLink will transport 4 GW of wind-generated electricity over approximately 700 km from northern to southern Germany via a ± 525 kV HVDC link using ~550 kV underground cables. ILF.com
• [New] Data centers accounted for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024, with their energy demand projected to more than double by 2030. Nature
• [New] A new long-duration energy storage system to be constructed in Arizona by Energy Dome and Salt River Project will be able to provide 19 MW for 10 hours, or enough electricity to power about 4,200 homes for 10 hours. National Conference of State Legislatures
• [New] As electrification of transport, industrial processes, and digital infrastructure accelerates, renewable energy is expected to dominate incremental power capacity additions through 2030. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] Renewable energy is expected to account for the majority of new power capacity additions through 2030, supported by national energy security strategies and favorable policy frameworks across major economies. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] Global warming is likely to force assertive redirection of global energy markets in order to achieve a prudent standard of mitigation; the resulting process of energy transformation will fundamentally alter prevailing policies and institutional relationships. Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland
• [New] Plans to expand grids: the French operator RTE aims to deploy thousands of kilometers of new lines by 2030, underscoring the scale of investments in transmission and distribution of energy. #
• [New] Data centers are projected to consume a growing share of global electricity demand: The International Energy Agency estimates they could account for 3 to 4% of total global consumption within this decade. IEEE Spectrum
• [New] Global data center electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2030, increasing the need for energy-efficient AI accelerator solutions. Straits Research
• [New] Growth in Li-ion battery sales in the coming decade will continue at a compound annual rate of about 30%, driven by EVs and energy storage systems to 4,000-4,500 gigawatt-hours by 2030. Global Market Insights Inc.
• [New] Equinix and CyrusOne have announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, indicating that their data center facilities will be powered by carbon-free, renewable energy. Arizton Advisory & Intelligence

Last updated: 19 July 2026