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] Globally, data centers are expected to account for roughly 300 TWh per year of additional corporate clean energy procurement by 2030, based on IEA data center demand scenarios and current corporate procurement patterns tracked by CEBA and BloombergNEF. Watershed
• [New] Google has publicly committed to 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, an ambition that effectively acknowledges annual matching is no longer a sufficient definition of clean. Kepler Search
• [New] Renewable energy will become the world's largest source of electricity by mid-2026, surpassing coal as the dominant provider of power generation. Energy Evolution Awards, Conference & Expo
• [New] Over the 2025-2030 period, renewables are expected to meet more than 90% of global electricity demand growth, led by solar photovoltaics and, to a lesser extent, wind energy. Energy Evolution Awards, Conference & Expo
• [New] Global renewable energy capacity is projected to continue setting new records through 2026 and beyond, with renewables expected to overtake coal as the largest source of electricity generation worldwide by mid-2026. Energy Evolution Awards, Conference & Expo
• [New] Global energy storage installations will exceed 1 TWh by 2030, with long life (> 15 years) and high safety becoming key procurement metrics. Tortai Technologies Co., Ltd
• [New] A significant portion of the projected demand growth in 2026 is attributed to Battery Energy Storage Systems and the burgeoning needs of AI-driven data centers. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] The International Energy Agency expects global electricity demand to keep rising strongly in the coming years, reflecting the pull of electrification across industry, buildings, transport, and data infrastructure. InvestmentMarkets
• [New] Data centers are already planning dedicated nuclear plants to power AI, and according to the International Energy Agency, AI data centers could consume nearly 1,000 TWh of electricity by 2030. IO+
• [New] NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have outlined a plan to install a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. KeepTrack
• [New] Cascade is a planned 12-unit Xe-100 project in Washington State with Energy Northwest and the first of several X-energy projects with Amazon targeting at least 5 GW of new nuclear by 2039. X-energy
• [New] Energy storage in 2026 will continue its march to become a portfolio standard. ADI Analytics
• [New] In 2026, renewable energy tokenization presents tokenization investment opportunities that combine financial returns with environmental impact. Inoru
• [New] Despite the global wave of energy transition, the Middle East region, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is expected to maintain its dominant position in oil and gas supply while accelerating the advancement of wind energy, solar energy, battery storage, and digital transformation plans. FuTu News
• [New] Sustainable energy trends are a business priority in 2026 because energy volatility now directly threatens margins, continuity, and credibility. IntelligentHQ
• [New] Schneider predicts a major wave of retrofits and smart energy management systems in 2026. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Looking ahead to 2026, China is expected to further prioritize AI, quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy, nuclear fusion, and related frontier technologies. Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
• [New] Clean Energy Plan deadlines Colorado legislation passed in 2019 requires utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030. Colorado Springs Utilities
• [New] The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects most new power to come from renewables in 2026, with coal falling and gas staying flat. / USA Forbes
• [New] Modern energy production has become cleaner and more efficient, and the CWA must be updated to meet the needs of today, as current estimates for load growth could reach as high as 40% by 2040. National Hydropower Association
• [New] The energy sector will most likely end 2026 close to where it ended 2025, although temporary bouts of volatility are to be expected. Seeking Alpha
• [New] Energy Transfer expects to see stronger capital investment in 2026, with major processing and transportation developments in the Permian Basin accounting for a significant chunk of its projected spending. Industrial Info Resources

Last updated: 18 January 2026