🇬🇧 UK: Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, GOV.UK
The UK plans to expand fixed-price renewable contracts and raise the Electricity Generator Levy to 55% to reduce gas-driven power prices. The reforms aim to cut bills, protect households from volatile gas markets, and accelerate domestic clean energy.
🇬🇧 UK: Britain’s electricity system breaks zero-carbon record, as gas reaches historic low and solar hits historic high, NESO
NESO says Britain briefly ran the grid at 98.8% zero‑carbon, with gas at a record low of 1.2%. Solar also hit a new peak of 15.4 GW, underscoring fast clean‑energy growth and falling fossil reliance.
🇵🇹 Portugal: The Iberian blackout had external causes and proved that the Portuguese electrical system is safe, Portugal Government
A year after the 2025 Iberian blackout, a Portuguese advisory group said the power system is secure and resilient. It also urged more investment, digitalisation, and stronger Iberian and European coordination.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Energy crisis yet strongly negative rates, how is that possible?, ANWB
Dutch power prices turned sharply negative as a solar surge met low weekend demand. They hit -37 cents/kWh on 26 April 2026 and -47 cents/kWh on 1 May.
🇪🇸 Spain: Spanish government speeds up renewable energy rollout to contain the global energy crisis, El País
Spain is fast-tracking renewables and biomethane to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. The goal is to cushion the economic impact of the global energy crisis.
🇫🇷 France: Renewable energy: the European Union stops funding Chinese inverters, Le Monde
The European Commission will stop funding renewables that use Chinese-made inverters. It cites security risks and over-dependence on foreign suppliers.
🇮🇹 Italy: Confindustria: ‘If the war lasts until the end of the year, there is a risk of the most serious energy crisis in history”, Il Sole 24 Ore
Confindustria warns Italy could face its worst energy crisis if geopolitical tensions persist. It says the fallout could be systemic for growth and industry.
🇩🇪 Germany: Battery storage capacities on the rise, Wirtschaftswoche
Germany added about 2 GWh of battery storage in Q1 2026, roughly two‑thirds more than a year earlier. Total installed capacity is now around 28 GWh across about 2.5 million systems.
🇺🇸 America’s nuclear dry spell is over, Canary Media
Kairos Power and TerraPower have launched new nuclear projects. This signals fresh momentum for next‑generation reactors in the US.
🇺🇸 AI boom sparks rare warning of ‘significant risks’ to grid, E&E News (POLITICO)
AI data centres are driving a surge in electricity demand and more volatile load swings. Grid regulators warn this raises a high-likelihood, high-impact risk of cascading outages without new standards and oversight.
🌍 China to further diversify energy imports and boost reserves, state planner says, CNA
China’s state planner says energy markets are stable despite the global price shock. It credits government measures to safeguard domestic oil supply.
🌍 Deutsche Bank says China is energy ‘winner’ in age of war, Bloomberg
Deutsche Bank’s Jacky Tang says China is the economic winner of the war. He also argues China benefits in terms of its energy mix.
🌍 Russia offers sanctioned LNG to energy-hungry Asia at a discount, Bloomberg
Russia is trying to sell gas to South Asia at around a 40% discount to spot prices. It is using intermediary firms based in China and Russia.
🌍 Southeast Asia office workers swelter in energy-saving drive, Bloomberg
Since the war began, many governments have imposed temperature controls in public workplaces. These measures are part of broader efforts to conserve energy.
🌍 APAC data centre demand to exceed 1000 TWh, Asian Power
Electricity demand from data centres is set to surge sharply. It is projected to rise from under 200 TWh today to over 1,000 TWh by the mid‑2030s.
🌍 APAC could feel energy supply chain disruptions for years, says ADB, Business Times
Prolonged energy supply-chain disruptions mean Asian economies may face a bigger shock than first expected. The impact is also likely to last longer.
🌍 ADB launches $70 billion plan for energy, digital infrastructure in APAC, Business Times
The ADB has launched a $70bn programme to expand energy and digital infrastructure across Asia-Pacific by 2035. It aims to strengthen grid links, boost cross-border power trade, and expand broadband access.
Stay tuned for our next news update. In the meantime, check out our energy page for more information.
