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] A quick de-escalation could pull oil prices back, pressuring shares; prolonged tensions favor energy majors like Exxon. International Business Times
• [New] The combination of soaring demand from restarted nuclear plants and a ban on Russian imports is putting immense pressure on the handful of western enrichment facilities, raising fears that a lack of nuclear fuel could derail the planned energy renaissance just as AI needs it most. Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [New] Centrus Energy, one of the largest US suppliers of enriched uranium, is warning of a looming supply crunch. Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [New] In 2026 alone, the Department of Energy projects 24.3 gigawatts of new battery storage installations - more than twice as much as new wind power and almost quadruple the new gas-fired generation capacity. Fortune
• [New] Saudi Arabia, having set its net-zero target for 2060, has been heavily investing in the renewable energy sector, and with the world's largest green hydrogen plant, located in Neom, set to become fully operational in 2027. ArabNews
• [New] Saudi Arabia could use its vast experience in project management and execution in the traditional energy sector to become a leader in green hydrogen production. ArabNews
• [New] Microsoft is investing heavily in nuclear energy - from a power purchase agreement that will bring Three Mile Island back to life, to a purchase agreement with a new fusion company. Valley Times-News
• [New] Long-duration storage technologies like pumped hydro will become increasingly vital as the global shift to renewable energy accelerates. Bitget Exchange
• [New] Worldwide demand will climb by 25% in 2026, a significant signal for the energy transition sector. Yahoo
• [New] To compete with China's advances in energy storage innovation and deployment, the U.S. will need to ramp up both investment and policy support. Bitget Exchange
• [New] In 2025, the U.S. added the most solar and energy storage on record, a feat that is expected to be topped again in 2026. Reason.com
• [New] Lithium made using geothermal energy will be the world's greenest lithium. voicenewspapers.co.uk
• [New] Governments promoting electrified transport and grid decentralization will reinforce long-term adoption curves, making lithium energy storage a permanent foundation of global sustainability. paiseec-us-store
• [New] Despite some headwinds like tariffs and shifting U.S. policy around renewable energy, U.S. battery storage is expected to grow 21% in 2026. Marketplace
• [New] Under Brazil's energy roadmap, biodiesel content in diesel is meant to increase by one percentage point annually, reaching 20% by 2030. Seneca ESG
• [New] The willingness for well capitalized players to provide funding for emerging technology is positive for the energy transition but SMRs are not expected to be viable until well after 2030. Breckinridge Capital Advisors
• [New] Hybrid semi-solid versions could appear in the premium residential niche around 2029-2030, but their advantage over optimised LFP (such as Leapton with integrated heating + safety) will be marginal for stationary storage, where energy density is not critical, unlike in mobility. Wattuneed
• [New] As Goldman says, it would need an extended oil price rise to weigh down the global economy, and it is likely that initial effects will be localized around energy, defence, travel, and transport sectors. AOL
• [New] The main transmission channel of the Iran crisis to the global economy and macro markets is its impact on energy markets, with the combination of severity and expected longevity key. AOL
• [New] As geopolitical risks reshape energy markets, Exxon Mobil remains a bellwether for oil sector performance, blending traditional strengths with strategic diversification. International Business Times
• [New] Crude gained about 10% in 2026 amid heightened Middle East tensions, though prices have eased as the risk of immediate military action diminished and the International Energy Agency lowered its global demand growth forecast. MUFG Research
• [New] California's Senate Bill 100 modeling demonstrates increased reliance on renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon capture technologies, reinforcing sustainability and reliability objectives for 2045. Constellation

Last updated: 06 March 2026