energy transition

UN News has published a feature looking at how the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is changing the idea of energy security. The piece argues that the recent global energy crisis pushed countries to rethink dependence on imported fuels, and that expanding wind, solar and other renewables can reduce exposure to price shocks and supply disruptions while supporting climate goals.

New figures on global electricity generation show coal remained the world's largest single source in 2024, producing about 34% of all power. Wind and solar together reached 15%, a sharp rise from just 4% a decade earlier. The data has been presented as charts drawn directly onto an interactive world map, letting users zoom from a global view down to country-level detail.

M. V. Ramana, a professor at the University of British Columbia, argues that nuclear power is not the answer to decarbonisation as renewable energy sources become cheaper and more advanced. He points out that large nuclear plants make little economic sense compared to increasingly cost-effective renewables, adding to the ongoing debate over nuclear energy's role in the clean energy transition.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is interested in receiving oil supplies from Kazakhstan. The statement, reported by Vedomosti, highlights Berlin's search for alternative energy sources amid ongoing changes in European oil supply routes. The remarks draw attention as Kazakhstan's crude largely reaches Europe through Russia, making the chancellor's comments notable for regional energy politics.

The US Energy Information Administration's educational history timeline on photovoltaic technology is drawing attention, charting solar power's development from early discoveries to modern panels. The reference page walks through key milestones in the science and adoption of converting sunlight directly into electricity, and readers are sharing it as a compact primer on how solar energy became a mainstream power source.

A new chart from Pictet Asset Managers argues that the shift away from fossil fuels does not remove dependence on critical resources, but changes its nature – from oil and gas suppliers to suppliers of minerals, materials and clean-energy technologies such as lithium, cobalt and rare earths. Analysts are weighing what this means for energy security and geopolitical risk as countries electrify.

A renewed drive to extract minerals in the Philippines is colliding with long-standing human rights problems, according to analysis by Oxfam America's Politics of Poverty blog. The piece argues that expanded mining for minerals needed in the energy transition risks repeating patterns of land conflicts, displacement and abuses affecting Indigenous communities and local residents.

A Climate Week panel in New York examined China's role in global development and its climate implications. Inside Climate News is streaming the discussion, which looks at how Beijing's overseas investments and infrastructure projects shape emissions and energy transitions in developing countries.

Blacksburg Transit in Virginia is installing an 867-kilowatt solar system at its facility. The project, reported by the Roanoke Times, would put solar power on the agency's buildings and support its operations with renewable energy. Further details on cost, contractors and timelines were not included in the initial report.

Fair Finance Asia is calling for stronger, more equitable governance and benefit sharing in ASEAN's critical minerals trade and finance. The regional network argues that as demand for minerals essential to the energy transition grows, economic gains should be shared fairly and governance strengthened across Southeast Asian supply chains. The statement was issued via a press release.

Pennsylvania State University is hosting a nature-society panel focused on environmental change, energy and land use. The discussion will bring together perspectives on how societies interact with and respond to shifting environmental conditions, with energy transitions and land management among the key themes on the agenda.

The European Commission's Citizens' Energy Forum is being referenced as a key platform for discussing energy affordability, consumer rights and the transition to clean energy in Europe. The forum brings together policymakers, industry and consumer representatives to address rising energy costs and household protection. It is attracting attention amid ongoing debates about energy prices and EU energy policy.

Diablo Canyon, California's last operating nuclear power plant, is being described as central to the state's efforts to avoid energy shortfalls. The plant supplies roughly nine percent of California's electricity and supports grid reliability as the state transitions away from fossil fuels. Officials extended its operations, with debate continuing over safety, cost, and the plant's role in meeting clean energy goals.

Commentary argues that President Trump cannot stop America's ongoing shift to clean energy, and that citizens can help accelerate it. The piece frames renewable energy's growth as an economic and technological momentum that persists despite federal policy shifts, urging action to speed up the transition.

Schneider Electric's Frédéric Godelmel has given an interview explaining how the rapid growth of solar power is reshaping the global energy transition. He discusses solar's expanding share of energy systems and the implications for electrification and energy management as countries scale up renewable capacity.

Stanislav Kondrashov has commented on Europe's progress in securing critical raw materials, a key pillar of the bloc's industrial and green transition strategy. His remarks touch on the EU's efforts to diversify supply chains, boost domestic extraction and processing, and reduce dependence on imports for materials such as lithium, cobalt and rare earths.

A new report by NITI Aayog on financing India's net-zero transition is drawing attention, with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis characterising its implications as reflecting a tempered ambition. Analysts are weighing what the government think tank's conclusions mean for India's climate finance needs and the pace of its energy transition.

Environment+Energy Leader reports that older wind and solar installations could become more valuable over time. As renewable infrastructure built decades ago matures, questions are turning to how these sites might be repowered, upgraded or repurposed, and whether existing grid connections and permits make them increasingly attractive assets for developers and investors in the energy transition.

The University at Albany will bring together New York energy leaders for its 2026 Clean Energy Pathways Workshop. The event is expected to focus on the state's clean energy transition, gathering policymakers, industry figures and researchers to discuss pathways for New York's energy future.

Consumers in Fürth, Germany, are being told how energy sharing works: households with solar panels can share surplus electricity with neighbours instead of feeding it all into the grid. The report explains what the scheme means for bills, smart meters and local electricity use, as Germany's energy transition moves toward decentralised sharing models.

Ireland is experiencing a rapid expansion of solar power, but an Irish Times column argues the gains risk being captured mainly by large energy companies rather than households and communities. The piece calls for policy to ensure ordinary consumers share in the rewards of the country's solar growth.

Heleine has introduced a new solar module designed specifically for residential rooftop installations, according to Solar Builder. The company says the product targets homeowners looking to adopt rooftop solar power. Details on pricing, efficiency ratings and availability have not been widely reported yet, so it remains to be seen how the module will compete in the residential solar market.