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 CPUC, along with the CARB and Energy Commission, will support transportation electrification by directing electrical corporations to file applications for programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification. California Energy Commission
• [New] The aggregation of distributed energy resources including solar, batteries, EVs, and smart devices into Virtual Power Plants is a key trend, enabled by regulatory advancements such as FERC Order 2222. Straits Research
• [New] The International Maritime Organization's decarbonization mandate requiring a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 is directly accelerating investment in energy-optimised autonomous handling equipment and port management software. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Within U.S. sectors, we still favor tech as a core long-term holding alongside industrials, financials, health care, and energy as opportunities broaden. Truist
• [New] The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southeastern Ukraine has been without off-site power for more than a week, the world's nuclear energy watchdog has warned. Al Jazeera
• [New] Russia will likely still conduct strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the upcoming winter, which will likely be more destructive after Russia hinders Ukrainian efforts to fortify its facilities in August. Critical Threats
• [New] Ukraine has been working to repair and fortify previously damaged energy infrastructure ahead of expected Russian energy strikes in Winter 2026-2027. Critical Threats
• [New] In June, the U.S. Department of Energy launched Quantum Genesis with the stated goal of developing and deploying a scientifically relevant fault-tolerant capability for research by 2028. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• [New] Energy-driven inflation is set to erode real household income and weigh on consumption through the rest of 2026, with stronger real wage growth and improving sentiment expected to lift private consumption only in 2027. investing.com
• [New] The International Energy Agency expects global oil supply to remain below near-normal levels until early 2027. investing.com
• [New] New renewable energy additions in 2026 are expected to be below the 2025 level - the first year-on-year slide in over a decade, reflecting recent investment declines. BloombergNEF
• [New] The total solar eclipse in 2026 will be a challenge in terms of energy that will test the capacity of Spain's electric power system and grids. Moeve Global
• [New] Vietnam will need infrastructure investment of $605 billion between 2017 and 2040, two-thirds of which will need to be for energy and roads. Hudson Institute
• [New] Developing heat network infrastructure will bring significant economic and social benefits to the local communities they serve across the whole of the UK, as well as delivering bill savings to all customers of the energy system. Energy UK
• [New] Heat network zoning regulations in England will require 85% of heat generated in energy centers to be derived from low carbon sources from 2030. Energy UK
• [New] South Korea is expected to remain a major exporter of premium lithium-ion battery cells through the forecast period, supported by technological innovation, established automotive partnerships, and increasing demand for high-energy-density battery systems. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The renewable energy storage segment is projected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 7.2% from 2026 to 2032. 6wresearch
• [New] The European Union's Energy Efficiency Directive revision mandates 11.7% energy consumption reduction by 2030, further accelerating lightweight material adoption. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Mexican Association of Hydrogen & Mobility, together with Mexico's Ministry of Energy, supports the launch of 18 hydrogen projects throughout Mexico that will use advanced production technologies, including methane pyrolysis. Spherical Insights
• [New] China will likely lead in Asia Pacific in 2026 with a share of about 39.4%, as it is rapidly expanding renewable energy, ultra-high-voltage transmission networks, battery storage, and smart grid infrastructure. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 04 September 2026