🇬🇧 UK: UK and Europe sign historic pact to drive clean energy future, GOV. UK
The UK and European nations have signed the Hamburg Declaration, committing to deliver 100GW of joint offshore wind projects in the North Sea by 2050, boosting energy security, driving down costs and creating thousands of jobs.
🇬🇧 UK: Octopus Energy urges Starmer to ‘embrace’ Chinese technology, Financial Times
Octopus Energy is urging the UK to adopt Chinese wind technology to cut wind farm costs by up to 30%, arguing it would lower energy bills and speed up renewables. This comes amid concerns over security, supply chain reliance, and UK-China political tensions.
🇬🇧 UK: Plans to build controversial solar farm approved, BBC
A large solar farm in Kent has been approved, set to power over 10,000 homes and advance net zero goals. Some concerns have been raised about landscape, agriculture and community disruption.
🇧🇪 Belgium: The De Wever government resumes negotiations with Engie.L’Echo
The Belgian government is negotiating with Engie to extend nuclear reactors, despite the company’s reluctance. The talks center on dismantling costs and profitability guarantees, posing financial risks for the state. A successful deal could lower energy costs for consumers, but it brings uncertainty over future expenses.
🇪🇸 Spain: EU Warns Spain Over Electricity System Imbalances, El Economista
Brussels has criticised Spain for weaknesses in its electrical grid, highlighting its limited interconnection with the rest of Europe and the resulting vulnerability revealed by stress tests. The European Commission says Spain must improve grid flexibility, storage and cross-border links to ensure energy security and market integration.
🇪🇸 Spain: Spanish government launches offshore wind drive to attract over €20 billion in investment, El País.
The Spanish government has unveiled a major offshore wind initiative, opening public consultation on plans and future auctions aimed at drawing more than €20 billion in investment to boost energy independence, create tens of thousands of jobs and expand renewable capacity by 2030.
🇮🇹 Italy: Italy’s solar power output climbed by about 25% in 2025, Reuters
Italy’s reaching a new record of 44.3 TWh, while overall renewable sources covered 41% of the country’s electricity demand — slightly below the previous year’s share but still significant for energy transition targets. Italy also added 7.2 GW of new renewable capacity and expanded battery storage to nearly 18 GW.
🇮🇹 Italy: Market prices and gas index rising, Asana
Italian natural gas price indicators (e.g., IGI) were reported increasing around mid-January 2026, reflecting tighter market conditions and contributing to the broader energy price environment.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Netherlands: Shortfall in renewable energy could cost the Netherlands billions, NOS
Analysis from PBL and NVDE warns the Netherlands may miss EU renewable energy targets by 2030, which could force the country to import or buy surplus clean energy from abroad at a cost of up to €2.6 billion.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: European Commission proposes easing nitrogen rules for energy infrastructureNOS
The European Commission has put forward a proposal to adjust EU nitrogen (stikstof) regulations that currently delay the construction of energy infrastructure like power lines, wind farms and grid upgrades in the Netherlands.
🇫🇷 France: The French government wants to slow the rollout of onshore wind and solar power BMFTV
France will reduce planned onshore wind and solar capacity in its upcoming energy roadmap, as electricity demand and electrification are growing slower than expected. The government will focus on building six new nuclear reactors, continue offshore wind expansion, and scale back, but maintain, onshore renewables.
🇩🇪 Germany: North Sea Summit Hamburg: More wind energy, more energy security, Tagesschau
Germany and other North Sea Summit nations will boost cooperation on offshore wind. North Sea security to strengthen Europe’s energy independence, while environmental groups call for nature-friendly development and caution against rushed investments.
🇩🇪 Germany: New Federal Incentive: Up to 6,000 euros in subsidies for new electric cars, Tagesschau
The German Federal government is offering up to €6,000 in subsidies for new electric cars starting January 2026, with higher grants for low-income households and families, and smaller incentives for plug-in hybrids and range extender vehicles, in an effort to support both consumers and the domestic auto industry while promoting environmental goals.
🇩🇪 Germany: Rooftop solar installations: 43 percent decline in two years, heise online
The expansion of rooftop solar in Germany has slowed sharply, with new installations in 2025 expected to be less than half of those in 2023, prompting industry and consumer groups to warn that further subsidy cuts could jeopardise climate targets and energy independence.
🇺🇸 America’s biggest power grid operator has an AI problem–too many data centers,The Wall Street Journal
AI-driven data center growth is straining PJM, the U.S.’s largest power grid operator, especially in Northern Virginia. Rising demand and plant closures threaten reliability and could raise costs, with PJM warning of possible capacity shortfalls and blackouts. This has sparked debate over whether data centers should supply their own power or reduce usage during peak times.
🇺🇸 Insider McLaren’s Energy Tech Collab with Schneider Electric,Technology Magazine
McLaren Racing has named Schneider Electric its Official Energy Technology Partner across Formula 1, IndyCar, F1 Academy, and WEC. Schneider Electric will provide advanced energy infrastructure at races and McLaren’s Woking base, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, resilient power, electrification, and digital analytics to improve performance and cut energy use.
🇺🇸 Winter storm tests US electric grid as outages spread, POLITICO
A major winter storm strained the U.S. electric grid, leading to emergency alerts and calls for energy conservation. The event exposed vulnerabilities in grid reliability during extreme weather and underscored the need for improved infrastructure.
🌏 Asia-Pacific to boost renewable energy capacity in 2026 despite geopolitical challenges, inflation SP Global
Asia-Pacific will boost renewable energy capacity in 2026, led by China, India, and Australia, thanks to strong government support and climate goals, despite geopolitical and inflation challenges.
🌏 After the mandate: China’s energy storage sector one year on Eco Business
A year after China’s push for energy storage, the sector has grown rapidly and become a global leader, but still faces regulatory, integration, and business model challenges. Ongoing policy support and reforms are key for future growth.
Stay tuned for our next news update. In the meantime, check out our energy page for more information.
