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] Europe's response to the energy crisis includes the €210 billion REPowerEU plan to eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, centered on diversifying gas supply, accelerating renewables, and boosting energy efficiency. Industry Link
• [New] Mineral demand for clean energy technologies will rise at least four-fold by 2040 to meet climate goals, with particularly high growth for minerals needed for electric vehicles. CEPR
• [New] Emerging defensive technologies such as high-energy lasers mounted on smallsats, now being tested by the U.S. Space Force, offer promising solutions for neutralizing airborne threats in real time. International Defense Security & Technology
• [New] The current geopolitical climate and shifting global power dynamics, along with price volatility, present an opportunity for Brazil to strengthen its role in supplying inputs for the energy transition. valorinternational
• [New] Demand for strategic minerals from the energy sector is expected to rise sharply over the next decade, especially due to growth in renewable power and electric vehicles. valorinternational
• [New] By 2050, at least 75% of energy will come from variable renewable sources. Hydrogen Technology Conference & Expo Europe 2025
• [New] The EU's ambitious goal of achieving a Net Zero power grid by 2050 will rely heavily on renewable energy. Hydrogen Technology Conference & Expo Europe 2025
• [New] Oando Clean Energy is developing a 1,200 MW solar assembly facility with the REA, with a first 600 MW production line slated for 2026. Business Insider Africa
• [New] In Lagos, Auxano Solar plans to develop a 150 MW project, while Vene Photovoltaic Technologies will build a solar panel recycling plant with an annual output of 2,484 tons, in partnership with Greenlight Planet Sun King Nigeria and Suntisolar Energy Africa. Business Insider Africa
• [New] By 2035, technical advances could mean energy from enhanced geothermal systems could cost as little as $50 per megawatt-hour, a price competitive with other renewable sources. UND Today
• [New] By 2050, geothermal energy could provide as much as 15% of the world's electricity needs. UND Today
• [New] The US will struggle to generate the energy it needs to power growth in its tech industry without including wind and solar. Energy Connects
• [New] The global energy transition represents one of history's largest capital reallocation opportunities. The Invading Sea
• [New] Global lithium mine production is expected to surpass 130,000 metric tons by 2025, powering innovation in energy and electric vehicles. Farmonaut
• [New] Renewable energy capacity in the US will increase by 250 GW by the end of 2030, which is almost 50% lower than last year's forecast. GMK.CENTER
• [New] The International Energy Agency expects global renewable energy capacity to double by 2030, increasing by 4.6 TW, but has downgraded its forecast for deployment in the US. GMK.CENTER
• [New] Modelling by the Grattan Institute finds that cutting greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in line with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 will cut average household energy costs from about $5,800 today to about $3,000. The Guardian
• [New] Australian household energy bills will halve by 2050 as solar panels, batteries and electric cars and appliances become the norm, reducing pressure on the federal government over living costs and creating room for more climate action. The Guardian
• [New] The Japanese government will support the launch of giant solar panels measuring 2 km² into space to produce clean electricity using solar energy. oilprice.com
• [New] Putting solar panels in space could reduce Europe's terrestrial renewable energy needs by 80% by 2050. oilprice.com
• Global electricity generation is projected to increase by 120% from now until 2060, doubling from a 21% share of total energy demand today to 43% in 2060. DNV
• The amount of renewable energy generation capacity installed across the world is set to double between 2024 and 2030, even as solar and wind developers grapple with policy changes and supply chain bottlenecks. no2nuclearpower

Last updated: 17 October 2025