Energy in Demand News, April 13, 2025

Let’s start this early spring week with some seasonal background music for you to enjoy reading this week’s newsletter.

When Trump returned to the White House this year, we heard a lot of “drill, baby, drill.” Well, there is more. The Washington Post reports that at the White House this week: Trump signed executive orders to “turbocharge coal mining in America. ”Coal hasn’t been the dominant fuel in 75 years, but Trump boasted that “we’re bringing back an industry that was abandoned” even though, in his view, it’s “the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy there is on Earth today.” For his backdrop, he used coal miners in work clothes. “They love to dig coal,” Trump said, claiming they prefer that to making “gidgets and widgets and wadgets.”

Trump also signed an executive order on Wednesday lifting restrictions on how much water can be used in showerheads, saying his administration would “make America’s showers great again.” He was later quoted:  “I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair.” The Washington Post reported that on Thursday “the Senate followed up by voting to repeal energy-efficiency standards for gas tankless water heaters, delivering a win to gas industry lobbying groups.”

On 24 and 25 April 2025, the International Energy Agency and the UK government will convene an international Summit on the Future of Energy Security in London. Politico reports that the IEA confirmed that energy ministers from Germany, France, Ukraine, South Korea and Turkey will attend the summit, along with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen and the bosses of energy firms including Shell, Eni and Ørsted. The White House told Politico that “The Department of Energy plans on sending representation to the conference.” One wonders if it will be the Energy Secretary, Chris Wright. It should be noted that, according to the draft agenda, there is nothing on energy efficiency or energy demand. Surely it will at least come up in one of the roundtables. Or will it?

China is constantly in the news and it is obvious we need to understand China better. A good place to start is the EU-China Energy Cooperation Platform which started in 2019 and is now in its third phase. Its monthly magazines and energy monitors are an excellent way to learn more about energy issues in the EU and China.

In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here are some useful ideas to help you along:

• Country Living Magazine provides 3 European train routes set to transform travel in 2025.
• World Walks provides us with the top spring walks in Europe.
• For those who want to combine hiking with food and wine in Europe and Australia, check out the Hedonistic Hiking website.
• Cycling for Softies provides us with the 15 Best Cycling Holidays in Europe 2025.
• Torino (Italy) is embracing a new era, transforming from an industrial powerhouse into a flourishing tourism destination: Torino Named European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1861), the American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, provides us with an important message this week: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Time for a game at Easter! On Monday, 14th April, EEIP is starting an Easter promotion on their fast-paced mobile quiz game enerwhizz.app and for the first time ever you can win new ETcoins…  There is no download needed, just add username and play! And wait for the Easter Bunny Avatar!  To understand more about energywhizz, check out these recent articles on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:

• Latest EEA air quality data analysis shows that, while steady improvements, air pollution remains Europe’s largest environmental health risk
• New IEA report: AI is set to drive surging electricity demand from data centres while offering the potential to transform how the energy sector works
• Key takeaways from Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue: Energy Efficiency Day
• Trump’s new trade war upsets efforts to tackle the urgent issue of climate change
• The International Maritime Organisation agreed to the sector’s first binding targets to reduce GHG emissions from ships
• Unlocking the power of energy efficiency in manufacturing facilities
• The share of renewables has been rising across Europe
• Record-high solar and wind bring the US to a clean power tipping point
• IEA report highlights the opportunity for Germany’s energy transition to strengthen its security and competitiveness
• New EEA report calls for systemic, long-term thinking for building resilience

Please send your comments on any of the posts. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.

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