Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] The EU set targets for energy savings and on protecting vulnerable households from energy poverty and has obligations on reducing primary energy use in residential buildings and increasing the share of renewables in heating and electricity (Directive 2023/2413). Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] The European Commission wants 60 million heat-pump installations by 2030 as part of a move to replace 68 million gas and 18 million oil boilers in use in residential buildings. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] Revenues from the EU Social Climate Fund and the emissions trading system for buildings and transport could be directed towards building-decarbonisation schemes to make homes greener and more affordable in the long term. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] Polar Night Energy is the prime contractor for the Verks sand battery project, with construction due to start in early 2026 and be completed in the summer of 2027. GIGAZINE
• [New] If China can continue advancing the construction of its 'new power system' - a term it uses to describe the increasing use of renewables with coal taking on more of a supporting role - then permitting rates could dip even lower in the coming five years, compared to 2025. MarketScreener
• [New] Google and Westinghouse have joined forces to optimize the construction and operation of 10 planned nuclear reactors slated to begin construction in 2030. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] NioCorp Developments aims to start construction in 2026 on the big Elk Creek critical minerals and rare earths mine in Nebraska. Fortune
• [New] Construction of Poland's first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Gdansk Bay remains fully on track for operational readiness in the first quarter of 2028. CEENERGYNEWS
• [New] Ho Chi Minh City announced that the construction of its Metro Line 2 will begin in January 2026. Bernama
• [New] After a record year in 2025, the construction industry in Quebec is expected to continue experiencing sustained activity in 2026. CityNews Montreal
• [New] In the UK alone, the Construction Industry Training Board forecasts a shortfall of 225,000 workers by 2027. Highways Today
• [New] Over 50% of all construction employees globally will require some form of digital reskilling by 2027. Highways Today
• [New] The commercial segment-robots used for medical and surgical purposes, agriculture, and construction, among other applications - is expected to grow at a compound growth rate of 11.8% from $3.2 billion to $17.0 billion, overtaking spending on military applications. Robohub
• [New] 50% for a facility (35% for an offshore wind facility) that begins construction during calendar year 2026. Novogradac
• [New] Total US construction starts are expected to grow by 1.1% in 2025, with Nonresidential building rising by 7.5% and Residential construction declining by 8.8%. ConstructConnect
• [New] FMI - a consulting and investment banking firm specializing in engineering and construction - expects full-year 2025 nonresidential put-in-place construction to finish about 2% below 2024, followed by a further 0.5% decline in 2026. Engineering News-Record
• [New] UKRI's £500 million R&D Missions Accelerator programme will launch challenges to drive economic benefit from the UK's cultural assets and to cut construction costs for public infrastructure by 10%. GOV.UK
• [New] The construction of new nuclear power plants will accelerate worldwide in the 2030s. International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Last updated: 10 December 2025