A widespread blackout disrupted electricity across Spain and parts of the European grid on 28 April, halting high-speed trains, cutting power to homes and businesses, and sparking questions about the resilience of Europe’s energy infrastructure. Although power was mostly restored within an hour, the incident triggered speculation about potential cyberattacks, renewable energy overloads, and deeper structural weaknesses in the grid.

This week’s energy highlights trace major shifts in global electricity and industrial strategy. China now generates more electricity than the U.S., EU, and India combined. In Europe, electrification is central to all industrial decarbonization scenarios. Meanwhile, Stanford researchers question the economics of carbon capture, and new studies explore how solar panels can help grasslands during drought. We also look back at the rise, fall, and future of nuclear power in the UK.

The UK government has announced a sweeping £86 billion research and development package aimed at fuelling innovation across science and technology — with longer-lasting batteries and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence among its top priorities.

From Brazil’s soaring solar output to China’s record coal buildout, this week’s global energy stories reveal both climate progress and contradictions. New data shows that electricity demand—especially from AI and industry—is reshaping the energy mix, while studies suggest offshore wind farms may offer ecological benefits.

EV sales are climbing worldwide, including in fast-growing emerging markets, while Britain’s battery storage rollout shows no sign of slowing. Renewables now support over 16 million jobs globally, Sweden backs new nuclear with targeted state aid, and a fresh warning emerges over looming battery mineral shortages.

A recent Climate Change Committee (CCC) report has become a political flashpoint in Scotland, sparking fierce exchanges at this week’s First Minister’s Questions. The report, which recommends a sharply accelerated pathway to net zero by 2045, reignited debate over the pace, cost, and realism of climate action.

From AI’s growing demand for gas to major clean energy gains in solar, storage, and offshore wind, the global energy landscape continues to evolve quickly. This week’s stories explore the implications of new power plant trends, a fresh solar generation record, a smarter approach to EV charging, Poland’s big wind move, and Duke Energy’s test of next-gen battery tech.

A newly finalised UK–EU agreement is set to deepen cooperation on carbon pricing and emissions trading — delivering major benefits to British industry and enhancing energy security. The announcement comes just as the EU prepares sweeping reviews of its own climate frameworks — changes that could shape carbon costs and industrial competitiveness across the continent and beyond.

The IEA’s latest Global EV Outlook explores the accelerating shift to electric mobility worldwide. In the U.S., solar power alone generated over 10% of total electricity last month—overtaking hydro. New analysis reveals electrification potential in industry may be far greater than previously believed, while China records its first emissions drop due to clean energy growth.

Centrica CEO Chris O'Shea has issued a stark warning over the future of the Rough gas storage facility, the UK’s largest, located off the coast of East Yorkshire. In a recent interview, O'Shea said the site could face closure without government backing — a move that would carry major risks for both energy security and the country’s transition to green energy.