Ofgem gets new teeth to protect consumers
The UK government will give the energy regulator authority to enforce consumer protection law and fine companies that mistreat customers. Executives of energy firms that flout rules risk losing their bonuses. Ofgem’s remit will extend to heating oil and other fuels. Ministers say the reforms respond to the cost‑of‑living crisis and aim to restore trust […]
Poland’s Enea doubles down on renewables and storage
Polish state‑controlled utility Enea will at least double its capital spending on renewable energy next year from 543 million zlotys in 2026, driven by large‑scale battery projects. Enea plans to commission 866 MW of battery storage in 2027 and has a total pipeline of 1,386 MW, part of a strategy to stabilise its portfolio as coal plants […]
Climate activism drives legal precedent as Sarah Finch wins global prize
British activist Sarah Finch received the Goldman Environmental Prize after leading a legal challenge that forced UK fossil fuel projects to account for full life‑cycle emissions, not just local impacts. The Supreme Court ruling means planning authorities must consider downstream emissions from burning extracted fuels, raising the bar for environmental assessments. Finch continues campaigning, arguing […]
Biofuels enjoy resurgence as oil prices soar
Since the outbreak of the Iran war, crude prices have spiked by roughly 30%, while corn – key for ethanol – has risen by only about 5%, making ethanol and biodiesel blends more attractive. Vietnam is accelerating its switch to gasoline blended with 10% ethanol; Indonesia has increased biodiesel blending to 50% (B50) and Malaysia […]
Governments worldwide roll out emergency energy relief following Iran war
In the wake of the Iran war, governments across Europe and Asia are taking drastic steps – ranging from slashing fuel taxes to restricting exports of refined products – to protect households. Britain’s offer of fixed‑price contracts to legacy renewables and a higher windfall levy is part of a wider trend of governments intervening directly […]
UK to reform electricity pricing to cut bills and speed renewables
Britain’s government plans to delink electricity prices from volatile gas markets by offering older renewable generators long‑term, fixed‑price contracts, covering roughly one‑third of national supply. In return the windfall levy on these projects will rise from 45% to 55% until they sign up. Ministers will release state‑owned land for renewable projects and introduce reforms to […]
Tesla’s energy business steps into the spotlight as autos struggle
Tesla’s solar and energy division is projected to generate $18.3 billion in revenue in 2026 with $5.3 billion gross profit, accounting for about 20% of company revenue. The energy business is roughly twice as profitable as Tesla’s car division, which faces shrinking margins and declining regulatory credits. First‑quarter energy storage deployments were 8.8 GWh, down 15.4% year on […]
Record wind installations highlight Asia’s dominance and Europe’s challenge
The global wind industry installed 165 GW of new capacity in 2025, a 40% increase over the previous year. Total cumulative capacity reached 1,299 GW across 138 countries. Asia‑Pacific accounted for 131 GW (80%) of new additions, with China adding 120.5 GW and India 6.3 GW. Europe added 19.1 GW (surpassing 300 GW total) but still falls short of the pace […]
Hormuz disruption sends oil prices soaring, exposes energy security risks
Following the US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, the Strait of Hormuz saw only three tankers cross in 12 hours, leaving 10-11 million barrels per day of crude oil shut in. Brent crude jumped by 4.8% to $94.75/bbl and WTI 5.7% to $88.61/bbl as traders feared a broader conflict. The shutdown led to long queues […]
Europe’s EV surge cuts oil demand and signals a turning point
Battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in 15 major European markets grew by 29.4% year on year to nearly 560,000 units in the first quarter. March sales jumped by 51.3% to more than 240,000 units. E‑Mobility Europe and New Automotive estimate the quarter’s BEV sales will displace about 2 million barrels of oil per year. The region’s five […]