New energy infrastructure, rapid battery storage growth, and the importance of critical minerals highlight another week of major developments across the global energy and technology sectors.

Andy Burnham's first major energy policy removes VAT from household electricity bills from October, cutting costs while signalling a push to make electricity more affordable as the UK electrifies.

China unveiled its latest AI strategy, sodium-ion batteries entered mass production, and advances in clean energy and hybrid aviation highlighted another week of rapid technological progress.

The EU has unveiled a major Electrification Action Plan targeting 46% electrification by 2040, aiming to lower energy bills, reduce fossil fuel imports and strengthen industrial competitiveness across Europe.