Category: Policy Watch

EU Priorities for COP31

EU Priorities for COP31

Oct 12, 2026 | ,

COP31 must be a COP of implementation. The EU should use its political and economic weight to help translate the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake into concrete action: a just transition away from fossil fuels, scaled-up and accessible climate finance, strengthened adaptation and loss and damage support, and an accountable implementation framework grounded in equity, CBDR-RC, science, justice and human rights. This requires coherence between the EU’s domestic policies, its international climate diplomacy and its approach to finance, trade and economic governance.

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Global Impetus: Policies and incentives for scaling up floating solar

Global Impetus: Policies and incentives for scaling up floating solar

Sep 28, 2026 |

Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) is gaining attraction globally, as countries seek to expand renewable energy while addressing land constraints and making better use of their waterbodies. The report “Scaling Up Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems”, by the Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, IIT Roorkee, in August 2026, reviews policy, regulatory and incentive frameworks for FPV across China, Japan, the Netherlands, the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, Israel, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Türkiye and Italy.

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India launches PM-SSY Floating Solar scheme

India launches PM-SSY Floating Solar scheme

Aug 31, 2026 | , ,

India is giving a fresh impetus to floating solar with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY). Approved by the Union Cabinet on July 31, 2026, the scheme seeks to address one of the growing constraints to large-scale solar development: the availability of suitable land. It envisages the development of 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) capacity, with a total financial outlay of Rs 50.70 billion. The projects will be sanctioned during FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, with financial assistance continuing to be disbursed through FY 2032-33.

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RGGI Is Funding Lower Household Bills as Data Centers Spike Prices in the US

RGGI Is Funding Lower Household Bills as Data Centers Spike Prices in the US

Aug 24, 2026 | ,

States are investing in clean energy and lowering electricity bills through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Demand for energy is growing in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, spiking electricity bills and pollution in some states.  The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—which sets a declining cap on carbon emissions from power plants and returns the program’s proceeds to fund energy and environmental programs—is serving as an essential stopgap for offsetting household electricity bills while reducing climate pollution. States must stay on track with RGGI to protect these consumer benefits.

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New US Western Grid: EDAM, Markets+ redefining wholesale power across the West

New US Western Grid: EDAM, Markets+ redefining wholesale power across the West

Aug 3, 2026 | ,

The US’ western energy markets are undergoing a major transformation. On May 1, 2026, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and PacifiCorp switched on the extended day-ahead market (EDAM), the biggest expansion of centralised electricity trading in the US Western Interconnection in a decade. For the first time, a day-ahead, security-constrained economic dispatch (SCED) will co-optimise generation and transmission across balancing authority areas (BAAs) that stretch from California to Wyoming. It builds on the real-time Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM), which has generated cumulative benefits of USD8.6 billion since its launch in 2014 across a region representing approximately 80 per cent of western electricity demand.

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A plan to make Europe the first electro-continent

A plan to make Europe the first electro-continent

Jul 24, 2026 | ,

The Commission has unveiled a new electrification action plan aimed at speeding up the shift from fossil fuels to electricity in Europe across industry, transport and buildings. The goal is to make Europe the world’s first “electro-powered” continent by aiming to increase electrification from today’s 23% of energy use to 46% by 2040. By reaching this goal, the EU could save €260 billion per year in fossil fuel imports. The new plan proposes a series of measures that will help reduce the price gap between electricity and fossil energy costs and by incentivising the uptake of cleaner, electricity-based technologies such as heat pumps, electric vehicles and batteries, among others.

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New Community Solar Policy Interventions in Various US States

New Community Solar Policy Interventions in Various US States

Jun 22, 2026 | ,

In 2026, the United States surpassed 6 million solar installations, just two short years after it reached 5 million installations. For Americans looking to save on their utility bills and, for those who add batteries, ensure resilient access to power during a grid outage, solar and storage are the go-to solutions. There is enough solar installed in the United States to power roughly 50 million households, and by 2034, there will be enough solar capacity to power 100 million homes. In 2025, a new solar project was installed every 59 seconds, and solar and storage combined to provide 79% of all new energy capacity added to the U.S. grid.

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EU’s Clean Energy Investment Strategy

EU’s Clean Energy Investment Strategy

Jun 22, 2026 | ,

Europe is faced with the unprecedented challenge of meeting its energy transition goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (at least 55 per cent emission reduction by 2030), while simultaneously phasing out reliance on Russian fossil fuels (by 2027) and ensuring energy security, affordability, and industrial competitiveness. To address concerns over lagging transition investment in Europe, in March 2026, EC published the Clean Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS). The CEIS is structured around two broad pillars — unlocking capital market access for energy infrastructure, and the strategic deployment of public funds as de-risking instruments — supported by an upgraded institutional dialogue.

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Offshore Wind Auctions in the UK: A Success Story

Offshore Wind Auctions in the UK: A Success Story

Jun 15, 2026 | ,

The offshore wind sector in the UK has experienced a year of significant progress, policy innovation and industrial expansion, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading market. Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and renewed focus on energy security, the government has accelerated efforts to expand offshore wind deployment, strengthen domestic supply chains and reform the electricity system to integrate much larger volumes of renewable generation. The UK has also continued to make progress in floating offshore wind, with the AR7 auction securing two commercial-scale floating projects.

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Sweden’s Transmission Plan: Rebuilding a mid-century grid for a new industrial age

Sweden’s Transmission Plan: Rebuilding a mid-century grid for a new industrial age

Jun 8, 2026 | ,

Sweden is undertaking one of the most ambitious electricity grid expansions in its modern history. In its Network Development Plan 2026-2035, the Swedish transmission system operator, Svenska kraftnät, has outlined SEK225 billion in grid investments over the next decade. The plan echoes a broader trend across advanced economies: the energy transition requires not only new generation capacity, but a fundamental reconfiguration of transmission infrastructure. The government’s planning assumption that annual electricity demand will reach at least 300 TWh by 2045, more than double the consumption of around 127 TWh in 2025, emphasises the urgency and scale of the required grid expansion.

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EU’s CBAM and Carbon Pricing Diplomacy

EU’s CBAM and Carbon Pricing Diplomacy

May 25, 2026 | ,

2026 is a crucial year for the EU to advance a more comprehensive diplomatic agenda on the CBAM to support its global partnerships. The EU has built an impressive toolkit for international cooperation on carbon pricing, but the patchwork of positive examples is still overshadowed by continued CBAM criticism. Addressing this now will ensure that trade partner concerns do not hinder progress in EU bilateral relationships and multilateral spaces further down the line. By repositioning the CBAM as a central component of a coherent trade and climate toolkit, the EU can strengthen its global relationships, sustain its long-term industrial decarbonisation pathway and reinforce its role as a trusted partner.

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Europe’s Energy Security

Europe’s Energy Security

Apr 27, 2026 | ,

EU energy security policy guarantees that all households and essential services are protected in case of crisis. For this reason, the gas security of supply framework designates households and essential social services. These customer categories in turn receive special protection, to avoid that they are disconnected during an energy crisis. For electricity, EU countries can protect users against disconnection if personal security or public safety are at risk. Even during the worst of times, EU countries are required to help each other out and offer solidarity. This means that EU countries will send gas or electricity to a neighbouring EU country in need.

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Maine’s New Plug-in Solar Law

Maine’s New Plug-in Solar Law

Apr 13, 2026 | ,

A new plug-in solar law passed in April 2026 clears the way for Maine renters, homeowners, and local business owners to take advantage of clean, cheap solar power to reduce their electricity bills. These small, portable solar panels are expected to generate a lot of interest because they’ll give Mainers the opportunity to generate solar power right at home to offset electricity use. A typical kit consists of between one and up to four to six solar panels, an inverter, and a plug, with the option of a battery.  Now Mainers will be well positioned to make their own energy decisions, reduce their high electric bills, and take direct advantage of the cheapest energy on the planet.  

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UK government to make plug-in solar available within months

UK government to make plug-in solar available within months

Mar 30, 2026 | , ,

The UK government has introduced rules to step up the drive for clean homegrown power to get the country off dependency on fossil fuel markets in response to the Iran war. The rules aim to ensure the majority of new homes in England will come with solar panels fitted as standard. The move will enable households to save money on bills through plug-in solar panels as the government vows to go further and faster on clean energy in response to conflict in the Middle East. The current conflict is a reminder for the country to end dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the drive for clean, homegrown power, as well as new renewables and nuclear.

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Federal Government Launches the Climate Plan 2024-2035 and Sets Guidelines for Brazil’s Climate Transition

Federal Government Launches the Climate Plan 2024-2035 and Sets Guidelines for Brazil’s Climate Transition

Mar 30, 2026 | ,

On March 16, 2026, Brazil’s Federal Government launched the new National Climate Change Plan, a central instrument of the National Policy on Climate Change (PNMC), establishing guidelines and targets to steer greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and climate adaptation efforts in Brazil over the next decade. The Climate Plan consolidates Brazil’s strategy to implement its Nationally Determined Contribution, which provides for a reduction in net emissions of between 59% and 67% by 2035 (compared to 2005 levels), as well as the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050.

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South Africa’s New Unbundling Model: Delinks grid assets from future TSO

South Africa’s New Unbundling Model: Delinks grid assets from future TSO

Mar 30, 2026 | ,

South Africa’s power sector reforms have taken a new turn and are back in the spotlight. The country’s electricity minister, in December 2025, approved the state-owned utility Eskom’s revised unbundling strategy. Under the structure, a new holding company will be established with four subsidiaries – National Electricity Distribution Company of South Africa to strengthen distribution networks; GenerationCo to hold legacy generation assets; Eskom Green – a new subsidiary to house Eskom’s renewable energy business; and the National Transmission Company of South Africa SOC Limited.

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Germany’s 2025 NEP: Adapting grid planning to new market conditions

Germany’s 2025 NEP: Adapting grid planning to new market conditions

Mar 16, 2026 | ,

Germany has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045, placing its electricity transmission system at the centre of the energy transition. By 2030, installed capacity is expected to reach 215 GW of solar PV, 115 GW of onshore wind and 30 GW of OSW. By 2045, these figures rise to 400 GW of photovoltaics, 160 GW of onshore wind, and 70 GW of OSW. The 2025 NEP anticipates installing large storage capacities between 41 and 94 GW by 2045, which were estimated at 43-55 GW in the earlier plan. Overall, NEP 2037/2045 (2025) marks a decisive shift in Germany’s grid planning philosophy.

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Policy Landscape for Geothermal Energy Development in US

Policy Landscape for Geothermal Energy Development in US

Mar 2, 2026 | ,

While recent capacity gains have been modest, there are reasons to believe that the geothermal market could experience rapid growth in the near term. Market growth could result from anticipated improvements to both mature and emerging technologies, as well as emerging value-added uses. The expected load growth in the electric grid due to the proliferation of data center and industrial manufacturing hubs across the US is anticipated to increase the demand for baseload, flexible, and resilient energy sources like geothermal.

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Australia’s Energy Shift: AEMO publishes draft 2026 Integrated System Plan

Australia’s Energy Shift: AEMO publishes draft 2026 Integrated System Plan

Mar 2, 2026 | ,

To efficiently manage the long-term power system development, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), in December 2025, released the draft 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP). The draft 2026 ISP reaffirms that renewable energy, connected by transmission and distribution, firmed with storage and backed up by gas, remains the least-cost pathway to supply secure and reliable electricity as coal retires through 2050. Translating this plan into reality requires coordinated action to overcome delivery constraints.

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Nigeria’s Electricity Devolution Law Creates an Opportunity to Reshape Its Power System

Nigeria’s Electricity Devolution Law Creates an Opportunity to Reshape Its Power System

Feb 2, 2026 | ,

The Electricity Act 2023 is more than just a policy reform, it is an invitation to reimagine Nigeria’s energy future through bottom-up innovation, state-driven leadership, and a coordinated national vision. It is therefore imperative for development partners to collaborate with state authorities to help shape an energy transition that aligns with national goals. Moreover, aligning state-level planning with strong, decentralized market structures presents an opportunity to increase grid resilience and supply availability and reliability at optimal cost.

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