🇧🇪 Belgium: Energy consumption stagnates, L’Echo
In 2025, Belgium’s energy use stayed flat. Electricity demand dipped slightly. The country relied more on cheap imports. Gas usage rose only a little.
🇧🇪 Belgium: Fixed energy contract is gaining popularity again, De Tijd
Fixed-price energy contracts are making a comeback in Flanders. In October 2025, over 26% of households chose them, up from 18% two years ago. People want price certainty as energy costs remain a concern.
🇪🇸 Spain: Consequences of the CNMC network fee increase, El Español
Spain’s energy regulator, the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), has set a 6.58% electricity network remuneration rate for 2026–2031. This decision goes ahead despite strong objections from energy companies and the government.
🇵🇹 Portugal: Electricity consumption reached historic high in Portugal in 2025, ECO
In 2025, electricity use from Portugal’s public grid hit a record high. Renewable energy production also set a new record at 37 TWh.
🇮🇹 Italy: Long-term contracts on the rise in Italy, Il Sole 24 Ore
In Italy, long-term energy supply contracts known as PPAs (power purchase agreements) grew in popularity in 2025. These deals let companies lock in stable prices outside the electricity exchange. Still, Italian businesses continue to pay more for energy than their European peers.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: The new energy act 2026: a paradigm shift, Binnenlands Bestuur
The “Energiewet” (energy act) is now officially in effect, merging the outdated Gas and Electricity Acts. It allows peer-to-peer energy sharing under one framework.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Record growth in renewable energy and “discarded” power, Duurzaam Ondernemen
Renewable energy production grew by 7% last year. However, a 30% jump in negative electricity price hours shows a widening gap between supply and demand.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Changes in energy taxes and network costs for 2026, Vereniging Eigen Huis
This month, Dutch households and businesses see higher gas taxes and lower electricity taxes. The changes aim to encourage more electrification.
🇫🇷 France: A targeted reduction in household bills from February 1, La Tribune
From February 1, the French government will cut electricity bills slightly by reducing the grid access contribution (CTA). This means a saving of about €10-12 per household each year. It’s an early sign of relief, but the overall pricing structure stays the same.
🇩🇪 Germany: Photovoltaics surpass lignite and natural gas in electricity generation, Deutschlandfunk
Photovoltaics grew from 14% to about 18% of domestic electricity generation last year, overtaking lignite and natural gas. Wind energy stayed on top at 27%, according to the German Solar Industry Association and Fraunhofer Institute.
🇩🇪 Germany: Southwest Berlin back online after electricity blackout, Berliner Morgenpost
On January 3, 2026, an arson attack by the extremist “Vulkangruppe” caused Berlin’s longest blackout since the war, hitting 45,000 households in the southwest. Power restoration began on January 7, with full service expected by Thursday. A federal terrorism investigation is underway.
🇺🇸 US pushes oil majors to invest big in Venezuela if they want to recover debts, Reuters
The U.S. government is urging big oil companies to reinvest in Venezuela’s oil sector to recover old debts from nationalisations. Firms can expand only if they invest in boosting production and fixing infrastructure. This approach aims to balance energy supply with foreign policy goals.
🇺🇸 Ørsted files legal challenge over Trump’s halt to $5 billion offshore wind project, CNBC
Ørsted is contesting a U.S. government pause on its €5 billion offshore wind project due to national security concerns. The company warns the halt threatens clean energy progress, jobs and investments. This dispute underscores rising regulatory uncertainty for major U.S. renewable projects.
🇺🇸 Schneider Electric’s stock jumps on its vision for an electric future, Barron’s
Schneider Electric expects strong growth as global electricity demand rises, driven by electrification, data centres and digital infrastructure. The company forecasts 7% to 10% annual revenue growth through 2030. Investors reacted positively, highlighting new opportunities in energy and industrial tech markets.
🌏 Asia Pacific’s utilities and power sector to remain stable, Asian Power
Asia Pacific’s utilities and power sector is set to stay stable through 2026, backed by steady demand, expanding capacity and strong grid investment. More renewables and storage will help cut curtailment and boost long-term reliability.
🌏 Asia emerges as a data centre hub with a renewable edge, Reccessary
Asia’s rapid growth in renewables is helping attract more data centre investments. Global tech firms prefer markets with better access to green power. Malaysia, Indonesia and India are seeing strong activity as they boost both data centre capacity and renewable energy generation.
Stay tuned for our next news update. In the meantime, check out our energy page for more information.
