From oil demand nearing a peak in China to record-low solar and storage costs, the energy transition continues to reshape global markets in unexpected ways. A new U.S. study reimagines how electrification could have halved energy demand over decades, while Africa is forging its own unique route to electric transport. Meanwhile, Chile pushes ahead with a massive solar-wind-battery project, underscoring the accelerating pace of clean energy investment worldwide.

Recent clean energy and technology developments highlight the rapid shifts reshaping power markets worldwide. Europe’s soaring solar output is helping to lower electricity prices, while nuclear innovation in the form of small modular reactors promises new options despite ongoing hurdles. Denmark’s electric vehicle market continues its rapid growth, and Ohio breaks ground on a major floating solar project. At the same time, AI supercomputers are setting new records for speed and energy use, illustrating the growing complexity of the global energy landscape.

From rapid renewables growth in the Netherlands to the US scaling back its clean energy ambitions, this week’s stories chart both momentum and retreat. Global investment in low-emissions electricity continues to rise, but America’s newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could stall solar, wind, and storage additions. Meanwhile, the AI infrastructure boom is reshaping the US economy, acting as a new kind of private-sector stimulus. We also look at global oil producers and a decade of shifting electricity investment.

This week’s top energy and tech stories cover the continuing fall in renewable electricity costs, major progress in electrification, and a key shift for clean heating in Europe. We also dive into a detailed breakdown of critical minerals in U.S. defense systems and explore an innovative graphene-based microchip that could replace traditional batteries.

From solar breakthroughs on farmland and rooftops to the latest push for fairer energy pricing, this week’s stories spotlight the global energy transition in action. Inventions in photovoltaics are booming, UK EVs are pulling more weight on the roads than their numbers suggest, and California farmers are turning to solar for survival. Meanwhile, a policy rethink could be key to heat pump adoption—and a fresh look at natural gas reserves shows which nations still hold the biggest cards in the fossil fuel game.

The UK government has reintroduced a major electric vehicle (EV) purchase incentive, aiming to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport. From 16 July 2025, car manufacturers can apply for the new £650 million Electric Car Grant, which offers discounts of up to £3,750 on new EVs priced at £37,000 or less.

This week’s energy stories span major solar records, long-term oil outlooks, and critical policy shifts in China. Solar took the top spot in Europe’s power mix for the first time, while global solar generation hit its fastest growth rate in six years. Meanwhile, OPEC doubles down on fossil fuel forecasts, China brings its industrial giants into the renewables fold, and new data reveals just how reliant the U.S. remains on China for rare earth supplies.

The UK government has confirmed it will retain a single national electricity wholesale price, rejecting proposals to divide the country into regional pricing zones—a move that had been under serious consideration and was supported by some prominent voices in the energy sector.

From electric vehicles taking off in emerging markets to new microreactor experiments in the U.S., this week’s energy stories reveal how technology, policy, and power systems are shifting fast. China continues to set the pace on solar, a new AI model draws inspiration from energy principles, and a striking report shows that just 36 companies are behind half of fossil fuel and cement CO₂ emissions. Here’s what you need to know.