On the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website Molly Langabeer and M.V. Ramana challenge the narrative that Big Tech's investment in nuclear power will solve AI's growing electricity demand. Their the announcements are far larger than the actual investments, while renewables—not nuclear—are meeting demand. There is definitely a mismatch between rhetoric and reality. Data centers … Continue reading The nuclear mirage behind the AI boom
Category: renewable energy
Heatwaves are testing the resilience of our power grids
Natalie Muller writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the immediate problem and the broader policy challenge of modernising electricity networks for a hotter climate. When extreme heat hits, people turn to AC, but what if the grid fails? From France to the US, heat waves are pushing power systems to the limit, raising blackout … Continue reading Heatwaves are testing the resilience of our power grids
Energy in Demand News, July 12-13, 2026
Eurostar, the international high-speed rail service in Western Europe, will now be building its new generation of trains to withstand 55C summers. The new trains, to be built by Alstom, were originally designed to cope with conditions of up to 45C. But the UK Times website quotes Gwendoline Cazenave, chief executive of Eurostar, saying: “We … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 12-13, 2026
New report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO)
urope’s climate transition is showing signs of acceleration – but progress remains too uneven and too slow to strengthen resilience at the pace needed. ECNO's 2026 Flagship Report finds that more than half of the indicators they track have improved their rate of progress compared to last year and that nearly a quarter are now … Continue reading New report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO)
Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026
In Canada this week, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen urged decisive action by quoting a famous hockey credo: "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." The Trump administration is moving to gut energy efficiency rules for home appliances that are proven to cut demand for power and lower utility bills. The Washington Post … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026
New report from the IEA on demand flexibility
The IEA has published Scaling Up Demand Flexibility: From peak management to efficient system operation. This report has been developed as part of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) initiative to examine the growing importance of demand flexibility in electricity systems amid rising demand, increased renewable energy integration and the electrification … Continue reading New report from the IEA on demand flexibility
46% of EU’s electricity came from renewables in Q1 2026
In the first quarter of 2026, 45.5% of the electricity generated in the EU came from renewable energy sources. This represents an increase from the same quarter of 2025, when the share was 42.7%. Wind was the primary source of renewable electricity in the EU, accounting for 44.9% of the total renewable electricity, against 42.3% in the first … Continue reading 46% of EU’s electricity came from renewables in Q1 2026
New EEA report on role of renewables in Europe to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks
Boosting the use of homegrown renewable electricity is Europe’s best way to reduce its vulnerability to volatile international energy supplies and rising energy prices according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published this week. Renewables lower energy prices and play key role to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks Global gas price … Continue reading New EEA report on role of renewables in Europe to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks
Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026
The Financial Times reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX “was awarded the lowest possible environmental, social and governance rating by index provider MSCI [Morgan Stanley Capital International] ahead of the company’s record $75bn public float this month. The triple C assessment means SpaceX has the same score as that awarded to the Russian state on MSCI’s … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026
China’s new five-year plan accelerates the energy transition
Anika Patel writes on the Carbon Brief website about China's new five-year energy strategy, which strengthens its commitment to renewable energy while retaining coal as a backup, introduces mandatory clean energy consumption targets, and reinforces its position in global clean-energy competition. China Briefing 25 June 2026: Five-year plans passed | Critical-mineral tensions | Industrial … Continue reading China’s new five-year plan accelerates the energy transition
