Ukraine’s costly lesson: Europe’s energy security depends on local renewables

Erika Tserkasina writes on the Kyiv Independent website to explain the lessons learned by Ukraine as it deals with its own energy transition during very difficult circumstances. As she says, sustainability and security need not be competing agendas. She ends with an important message: Europe now has the opportunity to align its climate investments with … Continue reading Ukraine’s costly lesson: Europe’s energy security depends on local renewables

Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026

In the rush to expand the use of coal in the US, the Financial Times reports that this week the US Environmental Protection Agency “rolled back strict controls imposed by former president Joe Biden’s administration on the volume of toxins that coal and oil-fired power plants can release into the atmosphere. The Trump administration has … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026

Does clean energy generate too much waste? Hannah Ritchie checks the data on climate action

From the What on Earth programme on the CBC News website, Hannah Ritchie provides data to show where we are on the road to sustainability.   The road to sustainability can seem hazy. Data shows where we need to go "Don’t solar panels and wind turbines generate huge amounts of waste? Aren’t our efforts pointless … Continue reading Does clean energy generate too much waste? Hannah Ritchie checks the data on climate action

Reflections on the IEA Ministerial

This past week on February 18 and 19, the 32 members of the International Energy Agency met for its bi-annual ministerial. Altogether 58 countries participated and there were over 40 at the ministerial level. There were also executives from more than 50 major energy companies including at least five that focus on energy efficiency technologies. … Continue reading Reflections on the IEA Ministerial

Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026

When it comes to climate and energy policies, we shouldn’t be shocked by any news coming out of Washington these days. But no doubt there is collective shock that the Trump administration has repealed the US government’s power to regulate climate change. Nearly 17 years after the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026

New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy

Forrest Crellin and America Hernandez write on the Reuter’s website about the shift in energy policy in France. Renewable energy targets (wind and solar) have been cut or loosened compared with previous ambitions while nuclear power is now central to the government’s decarbonisation strategy.   France aims to boost decarbonised power production by 20% over … Continue reading New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy

Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026

There is mixed news on climate-related philanthropy this week.  Michael Bloomberg’s donations on climate action have topped $3 billion over a decade, “including a recent boost to contributions to the UN’s climate body, as broader financial support slides in the Trump era,” reports the Financial Times. “The 83-year-old pledged nearly $270mn to two climate initiatives … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026

Renewables continued to grow in 2025 and set records, while fossil fuel consumption for electricity generation stagnated

Manuel Planelles and Ignacio Fariza write on the EL PAÍS website how wind and solar power are expanding across the world’s major economies, as fossil-fuel consumption stagnates. Meanwhile, the US president derides wind turbines as ‘those damn things.’   What Trump can’t stop: Renewable energy is growing and setting world records In his disjointed speech … Continue reading Renewables continued to grow in 2025 and set records, while fossil fuel consumption for electricity generation stagnated

Energy in Demand News, February 1-2, 2026

Prof. Steve Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Energy Policy, University of Greenwich wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Financial Times this week about the impact small modular reactors (SMRs) to be a major source of low-carbon energy. He questions the length of time to build SMRs. Even new ones in Russia have … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 1-2, 2026

Energy Highways: Germany and Denmark agree on joint development of the Bornholm Energy Island offshore wind project

At the North Sea Summit in Hamburg January 26th, Germany and Denmark reached an agreement on the Bornholm Energy Island project to develop offshore wind energy. This marks a first key delivery of the Energy Highways initiative set out as part of the European Grids Package published in December 2025. A first-of-its kind project, the wind farm links 3 GW … Continue reading Energy Highways: Germany and Denmark agree on joint development of the Bornholm Energy Island offshore wind project